490 BC
| Centuries: | 6th century BC · 5th century BC · 4th century BC |
| Decades: | 520s BC 510s BC 500s BC 490s BC 480s BC 470s BC 460s BC |
| Years: | 493 BC 492 BC 491 BC 490 BC 489 BC 488 BC 487 BC |
Events
By place
Greece
- Darius sends an expedition, under Artaphernes and Datis the Mede across the Aegean to attack the Athenians and the Eretrians. Hippias, the aged ex-tyrant of Athens is on one of the Persian ships in the hope of being restored to power in Athens.
- When the Ionian Greeks in Asia Minor rebelled against Persia in 499 BC, Eretria joined Athens in sending aid to the rebels. As a result, Darius makes a point of punishing Eretria during his invasion of Greece. The city is sacked and burned and Darius enslaves its inhabitants. Darius intends the same fate for Athens.
- The Battle of Marathon takes place during September. A Persian army of 15,000 is advised by Hippias to land in the Bay of Marathon, where they meet the Athenians supported by the Plataeans. The Persians are repulsed by 11,000 Greeks under the leadership of Callimachus and Miltiades. Some 6,400 Persians are killed at a cost of 192 Athenian dead. Callimachus, the war-archon of Athens, is killed in the battle. After the battle, the Persians return home.
- During the Battle of Marathon, the Athenians send a runner, Philippides, to seek help from Sparta. However, the Spartans delay sending troops to Marathon because religious requirements mean they must wait for the full moon.
- After the Battle of Marathon, Philippides, who has already run 140 miles to Sparta and return over 2 days and nights, runs 26.2 miles (40 kilometres) from Marathon to Athens to carry the news of the victory. His last words before he collapses and dies are: "Rejoice, we are victorious."
- Hippias dies at Lemnos on the journey back to Sardis after the Persian defeat.
- Cleomenes I is forced to flee Sparta when his plot against Demaratus is discovered, but the Spartans allow him to return when he begins gathering an army in the surrounding territories. However, by this time he has become insane, and the Spartans put him in prison. Shortly after, he commits suicide. He is succeeded as King of Sparta by a member of the Agiad house, his half-brother, Leonidas.
Births
- Empedocles, Greek philosopher (died around 430 BC).
- Phidias, Greek sculptor (died around 430 BC).
- Zeno of Elea, Greek philosopher (died around 430 BC).
Deaths
- Hippias, Tyrant of Athens.
- Callimachus, war-archon of Athens.
- Appius Claudius Sabinus Inregillensis, semi-legendary founder of the Claudii.
References
- Burn, A.R., "The Pelican History of Greece", Penguin Books, England, 1987.
- Hornblower, S. & Spawforth, T., ed. "Who's Who in the Classical World", Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2000.
- Mellersh, H.E.L., "Chronology of the Ancient World", Barrie & Jenkins, London, 1976.
- Trager, J., "The People's Chronology", Aurum Press, London, 1992.
Categories
490 BC