405 BC facts for kids
| Millennium: | 1st millennium BC |
|---|---|
| Centuries: | 6th century BC – 5th century BC – 4th century BC |
| Decades: | 430s BC 420s BC 410s BC – 400s BC – 390s BC 380s BC 370s BC |
| Years: | 408 BC 407 BC 406 BC – 405 BC – 404 BC 403 BC 402 BC |
The year 405 BC was a time of important events in ancient Greece and Sicily. It was part of the old Roman calendar system.
Major Events in 405 BC
What Happened in Greece?
The Battle of Aegospotami
In 405 BC, the Athenian fleet, which was like their navy, followed the Spartan admiral named Lysander. They went to a place called the Hellespont. This was a very important waterway.
At the Hellespont, a big battle happened called the Battle of Aegospotami. The Spartan forces completely destroyed the Athenian fleet. This was a huge defeat for Athens.
Siege of Athens
After this big naval victory, the Spartan king Pausanias began to surround the city of Athens. At the same time, Lysander's fleet blocked the port of Piraeus. This meant no supplies could get into Athens by sea.
Because of the blockade, the people of Athens started to starve. They had very little food. A leader named Theramenes tried to talk with Lysander to make peace. However, he was away for three months trying to negotiate.
What Happened in Sicily?
Rise of Dionysius I
In Sicily, a powerful leader named Dionysius the Elder became the ruler of Syracuse. He was known as a tyrant, meaning he had complete control.
Dionysius made a peace agreement with the Carthaginian general. At this time, Carthage controlled most of Sicily.
Dionysius Expands His Power
Dionysius the Elder worked to make his power even stronger. He built a large wall around Syracuse to protect it. He also removed the Greek citizens from several cities, including Naxos, Catana, and Leontini. Many of these people were forced into slavery.
What Happened in Arts and Culture?
New Plays Performed
In the world of drama, the famous Greek writer Aristophanes had his play The Frogs performed. It was a comedy.
Two other plays by Euripides, called The Bacchae and Iphigeneia at Aulis, were also performed. They were shown at the Dionysia festival and won first prize.
The Erechtheum is Finished
A beautiful building called the Erechtheum was completed in Athens. It was built on the Acropolis, a high point in the city. The building took 16 years to finish.
The Erechtheum is famous for its unique design, which includes The Porch of Maidens. This part of the building has columns shaped like female figures, known as Caryatids. It was built in the Ionian style of architecture.
Notable People
People Born in 405 BC
People Who Died in 405 BC
- Philolaus: A Greek mathematician and philosopher. He was born around 480 BC.
See also
In Spanish: 405 a. C. para niños
