5th century BC facts for kids

The 5th century BC was a very important time in history. It started in 500 BC and ended in 401 BC. During this century, ancient Greece became very strong and famous. The Greeks won big wars against the Persians, which were called the Greco–Persian wars. This period is often seen as a "golden age" for Greece, especially for the city of Athens.

What Happened in the 5th Century BC?

This century saw many big changes and events around the world. It was a time of great thinkers, powerful empires, and important wars that shaped the future.

Ancient Greece: A Golden Age

The 5th century BC is famous for the rise of Ancient Greece. After winning the wars against the Persians, Greek cities like Athens and Sparta became very powerful.

The Greco-Persian Wars

These wars were a series of conflicts between the Persian Empire and the Greek city-states. The Greeks, though often fighting among themselves, united to defend their freedom.

• The Battle of Marathon (490 BC) was a famous Greek victory. A small Athenian army defeated a much larger Persian force.
• The Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) showed incredible bravery. A small group of Spartans and other Greeks held off the massive Persian army for days.
• The Battle of Salamis (480 BC) was a key naval battle where the Greek fleet crushed the Persian navy.
• The Battle of Plataea (479 BC) was the final land battle, securing Greek independence.

These victories made the Greeks feel very proud and strong.

The Rise of Athens

After the Persian Wars, Athens became the leading city-state in Greece. It formed the Delian League, a group of Greek cities that paid Athens for protection. Athens used this money to rebuild its city and create amazing buildings like the Parthenon.

• This period in Athens is known as the "Age of Pericles". Pericles was a wise leader who helped Athens become a center for art, philosophy, and democracy.
• Democracy in Athens meant that citizens could vote on laws. However, only free men born in Athens were considered citizens.

The Peloponnesian War

The power of Athens made other Greek cities, especially Sparta, nervous. This led to the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC), a long and destructive conflict between Athens and Sparta.

• Sparta led the Peloponnesian League, a group of cities against Athens.
• The war lasted for many years and weakened all of Greece.
• Sparta eventually won, ending Athens' golden age.

Important Thinkers and Ideas

The 5th century BC was also a time of amazing new ideas. Many famous philosophers, historians, and playwrights lived during this period.

• Socrates (c. 470–399 BC) was a famous philosopher who taught people to question everything. He is known for the "Socratic method" of asking questions to find truth.
• Plato (c. 428–348 BC) was a student of Socrates and another very important philosopher. He wrote many famous books about ideas and government.
• Herodotus (c. 484–425 BC) is often called the "Father of History." He wrote a detailed account of the Greco-Persian Wars.
• Thucydides (c. 460–395 BC) was another great historian who wrote about the Peloponnesian War. He tried to be very accurate and fair in his writings.
• Famous playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides wrote amazing plays that are still performed today. These plays explored human nature and important questions.

Other Parts of the World

While Greece was thriving, other civilizations were also active.

• In Rome, the Roman Republic was growing. They were developing their laws and government.
• In China, it was the Warring States period. Different states were fighting for control, leading to new ideas in philosophy and military strategy.
• The Persian Empire remained a huge power, even after their defeats by the Greeks.

Legacy of the 5th Century BC

The ideas and events of the 5th century BC had a huge impact on the world.

• The Greek ideas of democracy, philosophy, and art became the foundation for Western civilization.
• The writings of historians like Herodotus and Thucydides set the standard for how history is written.
• The plays of the Greek dramatists continue to inspire writers and artists today.

This century truly was a time of great change and lasting influence.

Images for kids

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  The Parthenon in Athens, a symbol of Ancient Greece and Western Philosophy.

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  Map of the Eastern Hemisphere in 500 BC, the beginning of the fifth century BC.

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  Map of the world in 400 BC, the end of the fifth century BC.

See also

In Spanish: Siglo V a. C. para niños