321 BC facts for kids
| Millennium: | 1st millennium BC |
|---|---|
| Centuries: | 5th century BC – 4th century BC – 3rd century BC |
| Decades: | 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC – 320s BC – 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC |
| Years: | 324 BC 323 BC 322 BC – 321 BC – 320 BC 319 BC 318 BC |
| 321 BC by topic | |
| Politics | |
| State leaders – Sovereign states | |
| Birth and death categories | |
| Births – Deaths | |
| Establishments and disestablishments categories | |
| Establishments – Disestablishments | |
| Gregorian calendar | 321 BC CCCXX BC |
| Ab urbe condita | 433 |
| Ancient Egypt era | XXXIII dynasty, 3 |
| - Pharaoh | Ptolemy I Soter, 3 |
| Ancient Greek era | 114th Olympiad, year 4 |
| Assyrian calendar | 4430 |
| Balinese saka calendar | N/A |
| Bengali calendar | −913 |
| Berber calendar | 630 |
| Buddhist calendar | 224 |
| Burmese calendar | −958 |
| Byzantine calendar | 5188–5189 |
| Chinese calendar | 己亥年 (Earth Pig) 2376 or 2316 — to — 庚子年 (Metal Rat) 2377 or 2317 |
| Coptic calendar | −604 – −603 |
| Discordian calendar | 846 |
| Ethiopian calendar | −328 – −327 |
| Hebrew calendar | 3440–3441 |
| Hindu calendars | |
| - Vikram Samvat | −264 – −263 |
| - Shaka Samvat | N/A |
| - Kali Yuga | 2780–2781 |
| Holocene calendar | 9680 |
| Iranian calendar | 942 BP – 941 BP |
| Islamic calendar | 971 BH – 970 BH |
| Javanese calendar | N/A |
| Julian calendar | N/A |
| Korean calendar | 2013 |
| Minguo calendar | 2232 before ROC 民前2232年 |
| Nanakshahi calendar | −1788 |
| Thai solar calendar | 222–223 |
| Tibetan calendar | 阴土猪年 (female Earth-Pig) −194 or −575 or −1347 — to — 阳金鼠年 (male Iron-Rat) −193 or −574 or −1346 |
The year 321 BC was a time of important events, especially for the ancient Roman Republic and the large empire left behind by Alexander the Great.
What Happened in 321 BC?
Changes in Alexander's Empire
Generals Take Control
After the death of Alexander the Great, his powerful generals, known as the Diadochi, started to divide his huge empire. In 321 BC, they made some big decisions about who would rule which parts.
- Antipater, one of Alexander's most trusted generals, made Antigonus the main commander of his army in Asia Minor.
- Antipater sent Antigonus and another general named Craterus to fight against Eumenes. Eumenes was a governor (called a satrap) of Cappadocia and supported Perdiccas, another powerful general.
- Perdiccas tried to attack Ptolemy, who was in charge of Egypt. But Perdiccas failed to cross the Nile River.
- Because he failed, some of his own officers turned against him and killed him.
- After Perdiccas died, Ptolemy became even stronger in Egypt. Another general, Seleucus, gained power in Babylon.
The Partition of Triparadisus
The main generals of Alexander's empire met and agreed to a new plan called the Partition of Triparadisus. This plan decided how the different parts of the empire would be governed. It was a way to try and keep peace among them, but it didn't last forever.
- To make his position even stronger, Ptolemy married Eurydice. She was the third daughter of Antipater, which created a powerful family connection.
- Antigonus and Craterus fought against Eumenes and won the battle. However, Eumenes managed to escape and get away.
The Roman Republic's Challenges
Fighting the Samnites
The Romans were very strong, and their armies had been winning many battles. This forced the Samnites, a group of people living in central Italy, to ask for peace.
- However, the peace terms offered by Rome were very harsh and difficult for the Samnites to accept. Because of this, a real peace agreement did not happen.
- Two Roman leaders, called consuls, Spurius Postumius Albinus and Titus Veturius Calvinus, led a Roman army into Samnium.
- They got trapped in a narrow mountain pass. This place is famous in history and is known as the Caudine Forks.
- Because they were trapped, the Roman army had to agree to a five-year treaty with the Samnites. This was a difficult moment for Rome.
The Rise of the Mauryan Empire in India
Chandragupta Maurya Becomes King
In ancient India, a very important event happened in 321 BC.
- Chandragupta Maurya, who would later found the huge Mauryan Empire, made himself the king of Magadha. This was a powerful kingdom in northeastern India.
- This was the beginning of one of the largest and most powerful empires in ancient India.
Important People Who Died in 321 BC
- Craterus, a famous general from Macedon. He was born around 370 BC.
- Perdiccas, another Macedonian general. He was a regent, meaning he ruled for a young king, after Alexander the Great died. He was born around 365 BC.
- Zhou Xian Wang, who was a king of the Zhou Dynasty in China.
See also
In Spanish: 321 a. C. para niños
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321 BC Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.