c. 250s BCE★★★★★
Buddhism arrives in Sri Lanka
According to tradition, the monk Mahinda, son of Ashoka, brings Buddhism to Anuradhapura and converts King Devanampiya Tissa.
Religion· Sri Lanka
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Events this year
Ongoing
c. 15th century BCE – c. 1st century★★★★★
Nok culture in West Africa
The Nok culture flourished in present-day central Nigeria, known for its terracotta sculptures and as one of the earliest iron-smelting cultures in sub-Saharan Africa.
CultureTechnology· Nigeria
c. 10th century BCE – c. 1st century★★★★★
Đông Sơn culture
A Bronze Age and early Iron Age culture of the Red River valley and north-central Vietnam, famous for its bronze drums.
CultureTechnology· Vietnam
c. 5th century BCE – c. 5th century★★★★★
Nazca Lines created
In the desert of southern Peru, the Nazca and earlier cultures create enormous geoglyphs on the ground, best seen in full from above.
CultureArt· Peru
c. 475 BCE – 221 BCE★★★★★
Warring States period
Seven major states vie for supremacy for over two centuries, an era that also sees the flourishing of the Hundred Schools of Thought.
WarPolitics· China
264 BCE – 241 BCE★★★★★
First Punic War
Rome and Carthage fight for control of Sicily; Rome wins and gains its first overseas province.
War· Italy, Tunisia
c. 260s BCE – c. 230s BCE★★★★★
Edicts of Ashoka
Emperor Ashoka has edicts inscribed on rocks and pillars across his empire, promoting Buddhist ethics and tolerance.
ReligionPolitics· India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan
c. 257 BCE – c. 179 BCE★★★★★
An Dương Vương founds Âu Lạc
Thục Phán (An Dương Vương) unites the Âu Việt and Lạc Việt into the kingdom of Âu Lạc, with its capital at Cổ Loa; 257 BCE is the traditional date.
PoliticsDynasty· Vietnam