400 BC

c. 500 BC–c. 400 BC	Europe [everyday life]	The Celts begin to make an impression on European history. They are divided into a number of different tribes, sharing a distinctive decorative style of art, characterized by curving designs and mythical animals. These can be seen on their jewellery (gold and bronze torques), their weapons (decorated shields and sword scabbards), and their pottery and other vessels. The Celts probably originate in northwest and central Europe, France (particularly the area of Champagne), Switzerland, Lower Austria, and western Slovakia. The area of the western Hallstatt, Upper Austria, is also associated with the Celts.
c. 500 BC–c. 400 BC	Rome [wars]	Rome and its Latin allies are almost constantly at war with both the Etruscans in the north and the native mountain tribes to the south, in particular the Aequi and the Volscians.
480 BC–330 BC	Greece [sculpture]	The Greek classical style of sculpture develops more realism than the preceding Archaic period. Its leading exponents are Phidias (in the 5th century BC), and Praxiteles, Scopas, and Lysippus (in the 4th century BC).
c. 400 BC	China, Europe [technology]	The Chinese begin to use bitumen for cooking food and burning in lamps – the first use of oil as a source of energy. In Europe it is used as a lubricant and as a medicinal ointment.
400 BC	Greece [administration]	The restoration of democracy in the Greek city-state of Athens after the end of the oligarchy of the Council of Thirty is accomplished with remarkable restraint and success. A small change is effected by making members of the Council preside in the Assembly.
c. 400 BC	India [banking and finance]	Coins begin to appear in northern India, the idea having arrived from Greece via Persia.
c. 400 BC	Italy, Europe [colonization]	Celtic tribes begin to move into northern Italy; the Boii and Senones cross the River Po and settle in the Po valley. The Insubres occupy Lombardy, with their capital at Milan (Roman Mediolanum). These Celtic tribes are collectively called Gauls by the Romans. At the same time, other Celtic groups are colonizing the banks of the Yonne and Seine rivers in France, and yet others are moving into Bohemia and Bavaria.
c. 400 BC	Central America [everyday life]	The Zapotec culture develops in Mexico; it lasts more than 1,100 years, centred on the town of Monte Albán in Oaxaca. The Zapotecs use a basic writing system (possibly borrowed from the Olmecs) and a calendar. Over the course of the next 11 centuries, Monte Albán grows to be an enormous ceremonial centre and elite residence.
c. 400 BC–AD c. 250	Central America [everyday life]	The Late Formative (or pre-Classic) period of Mayan culture takes place in Mexico. By 400 BC, large structures have been built at several sites in the tropical lowland jungle. In the highlands, people begin to put up large clay platforms, some the basis for temples and others for elite houses, flanking open plazas.
c. 400 BC	India [poetry]	The epic Indian poem Mahabharata and the popular collection of cosmic stories Puranas are first composed, though both gradually grow over the next thousand years.

400 BC (redirected from 400 BCE)

400 BC

400 BC
(redirected from 400 BCE)