238 BC facts for kids
| Millennium: | 1st millennium BC |
|---|---|
| Centuries: | 4th century BC – 3rd century BC – 2nd century BC |
| Decades: | 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC – 230s BC – 220s BC 210s BC 200s BC |
| Years: | 241 BC 240 BC 239 BC – 238 BC – 237 BC 236 BC 235 BC |
The year 238 BC was a time of important changes in the ancient world. Big events happened in places like Carthage, Sardinia, and the Seleucid Empire. These events shaped the future of powerful groups like the Roman Republic and the Parthian kingdom.
Major Events of 238 BC
Battles and New Provinces
In 238 BC, a big battle took place near a city called Utica. This fight was part of a larger conflict known as the Mercenary War. The city of Carthage was a powerful state in ancient times. It had many soldiers, and some of them were mercenaries, meaning they fought for money.
After a major war, these mercenary soldiers rebelled against Carthage. A famous Carthaginian general named Hamilcar Barca led the loyal Carthaginian army. He was a very skilled military leader. In the Battle of Utica, Hamilcar Barca and his troops fought against these rebels. His army won a big victory, which helped Carthage regain control.
Around the same time, a Roman leader named Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus was busy in the Mediterranean Sea. He led Roman forces to the large island of Sardinia. On Sardinia, he also fought against rebels who were causing trouble for Carthage. After his successful attacks, Rome decided to take control of Sardinia. The island then became a new Roman province. This meant it was officially part of the growing Roman Republic.
A New Kingdom Rises
Far to the east, another big change happened. The Seleucid Empire was a very large and powerful kingdom. It was one of the states that formed after the death of Alexander the Great. However, parts of this empire were starting to break away.
In 238 BC, the region of Parthia declared its freedom from the Seleucid Empire. This was a very important moment. Parthia then became its own independent kingdom. Over time, the Parthian kingdom grew to be a major power in Asia. It would later become a strong rival to the Roman Empire.
