View source for 333 BC

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{{BC year in topic|333}}
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Year '''333 BC''' was a year of the [[Roman calendar|pre-Julian Roman calendar]]. At the time, it was known as the '''Year of the Dictatorship of Rufinus''' (or, less frequently, '''year 421 ''[[Ab urbe condita]]'''''). The denomination 333 BC for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the [[Anno Domini]] [[calendar era]] became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

== Events ==
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=== By place ===

==== Macedonia ====
* King [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]] of [[Macedon]]ia conquers western [[Asia Minor]], subduing the hill [[tribe]]s of [[Lycia]] and [[Pisidia]].<ref name=brit_alexander>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great | access-date=February 25, 2024 | date=February 21, 2024 | first=Frank W. | last=Walkbank | title=Alexander the Great | series=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref>
* King [[Darius III]] of [[Achaemenid Empire|Persia]] executes [[Charidemus]], a Greek mercenary leader living in exile in Persia, for criticising preparations taken for the [[Battle of Issus]].
* [[File:Battle issus decisive.png|thumb|The Battle of Issus|left]]Alexander has a great victory over the Persians in the [[Battle of Issus|Battle of the Issus River]] in [[Cilicia]], but the Persian Emperor Darius III escapes. Darius leaves behind his wife, his two daughters, his mother [[Sisygambis]].<ref name=darIII>{{cite web | access-date=February 25, 2024 | url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Darius-III | title=Darius III | series=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref>
* Alexander makes one of his officers, [[Nearchus]], [[satrap]] of the newly conquered Lycia and [[Pamphylia]] in [[Anatolia]] and he appoints his general, [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]], satrap of [[Phrygia]].
* From Issus, Alexander marches south into [[Syria]] and [[Phoenicia]], his object being to isolate the Persian fleet from its bases and so to destroy it as an effective fighting force. The Phoenician cities of Marathus and Aradus do not resist Alexander's armies. [[Parmenion]] is sent ahead to try to secure [[Damascus]] and its rich booty, including Darius' war chest.
* After taking [[Byblos]] and [[Sidon]], Alexander lays [[Siege of Tyre (332 BC)|siege to Tyre]].
* In reply to a letter from Darius offering peace, Alexander demands Darius' unconditional surrender.
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== Deaths ==
* [[Charidemus]], Greek mercenary leader<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charidemus | access-date=February 25, 2024 | title=Charidemus | date=February 21, 2024 | series=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref>
* [[Memnon of Rhodes]], Greek mercenary leader (b. [[380 BC]])

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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[[Category:333 BC| ]]