600s BC (decade) facts for kids

The 600s BC was a time of big changes in the ancient world. Powerful empires like Babylonia and Egypt were battling for control, while new cities were being founded across Europe. This decade saw important events in places like the Middle East, China, and Greece, shaping the future of these regions.

Major Events of the 600s BC

Battles and Empires

• 609 BC: The powerful Babylonians defeated the Assyrian army and took control of a city called Harran. The last Assyrian king, Ashur-uballit II, was never seen again after this defeat.
• 609 BC: King Josiah of Judah died in a battle at Megiddo. He was fighting against Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt, who was on his way to help the Assyrians. After Josiah's death, his son Jehoahaz became king. But Pharaoh Necho quickly removed him and put Jehoahaz's brother, Jehoiakim, on the throne instead.
• 605 BC: A huge battle called the Battle of Carchemish took place. Nebuchadnezzar II, who was the son of the Babylonian king, led the Babylonian army. He defeated the Egyptian army led by Necho II. This victory helped Babylon take over all of Assyria. The Babylonians then continued their conquest through Syria and Palestine.
• 605 BC: After his big victory, Nebuchadnezzar II became the new King of Babylon, taking over from his father, Nabopolassar.

New Cities and Discoveries

• 601 BC: The city of Perinthus was founded by people from Samos.
• 600 BC: The city of Marseille was founded by Greek settlers from Focea. They won a naval battle against the Carthaginians, which marked the start of the Greek-Punic Wars.
• 600 BC: Scientists have used radiocarbon dating to find the first circular living area at Emain Macha in Ireland.
• 600 BC: The region of Armenia was created.
• 600 BC: The city of Capua was founded in Italy.
• 600 BC: The city of Milan was likely founded by the Celts around this time.
• 600 BC: The ancient city of Smyrna was attacked and destroyed.
• 600 BC: King Nebuchadnezzar II built the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon. These were amazing terraced gardens, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Around 600 BC: The city of Pompeii in Italy was founded.

Art, Culture, and Society

• Around 600 BC: In Ancient Greece, the "Orientalizing period" for vases ended. This means that the style of decorating pottery changed.
• Around 600 BC: The "Archaic period" of sculpture began in Ancient Greece. This was a time when Greek sculptors started making large, lifelike statues.
• Around 600 BC: A type of pitcher called an olpe from Corinth was made. You can see it today at The British Museum in London.
• Around 600 BC: A statue called a Kouros was created. This type of statue shows a young man, and this one is now at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
• Around 600 BC to 580 BC: The Temple of Artemis was built in Korkyra (which is now Corfu).
• Around 600 BC: The religion of Zarathustra became very popular in Persia.
• Around 600 BC: Construction began on the largest mound at Cahokia, near East St. Louis, Illinois. This construction continued for many centuries.
• Around 600 BC: The Etruscans took control of the settlement of Rome. They helped it grow into a busy trading center.
• Around 600 BC: Athens in Greece was facing serious money problems.
• Around 600 BC: Two important styles of Greek architecture, the Doric order and Ionic order, were well developed.
• Around 600 BC to 500 BC: A system for keeping track of dates (a calendar) appeared in areas of Mesoamerica that were influenced by the Olmec civilization.

Important People

• 605 BC: Nabopolassar, the first ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, passed away.
• Around 600 BC: King Cambyses I of Anshan, who was the head of the Achaemenid dynasty, was born.
• Around 600 BC: Thales, a famous Greek philosopher, was active around this time. He is known as one of the first thinkers in Western philosophy.

Images for kids

• 

  Map of the Eastern Hemisphere in 600 BC.

See also

In Spanish: Años 600 a. C. para niños