View source for 406 BC

{{one source|date=November 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2011}}
{{Year nav|-406}}
{{BC year in topic|406}}
__NOTOC__
Year '''406 BC''' was a year of the [[Roman calendar|pre-Julian Roman calendar]]. At the time, it was known as the '''Year of the Tribunate of Cossus, Ambustus, Cossus and Potitus''' (or, less frequently, '''year 348 ''[[Ab urbe condita]]'''''). The denomination 406 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 ==
<onlyinclude>

=== By place ===
==== Greece ====
* [[Callicratidas]] is appointed as the [[navarch]] of the [[Sparta]]n fleet, replacing [[Lysander]]. Callicratidas assembles a fleet and sails to [[Methymna]], on [[Lesbos]], to which he lays siege. This move threatens the [[Athens|Athenian]] [[Cereal|grain]] [[Supply (economics)|supply]].
* [[Alcibiades]] is replaced by a board of generals. Athens sends a member of the board, Admiral [[Conon]], to relieve the siege of [[Mytilene]]. To defend Lesbos, Conon is forced to move his numerically inferior fleet from [[Samos]] to the Hekatonnesi islands near Methymna. When Callicratidas attacks him, Conon is forced back to Mytilene, where he is blockaded by Callicratidas' Spartan fleet.
* Athens wins the [[Battle of Arginusae]], near Lesbos, and the blockade of Conon is broken. To relieve Conon, the Athenians assemble a new fleet composed largely of newly constructed ships crewed by inexperienced sailors.  This inexperienced fleet is inferior to the Spartans, but its commanders employ new and unorthodox tactics, which allow the Athenians to secure a dramatic and unexpected victory. The Spartan force is soundly defeated, and Callicratidas is killed.
* Returning to Athens after the battle, [[Theramenes]] leads Athenian agitation against the eight generals who have commanded in the engagement; the six who have returned to Athens are condemned for negligence in not having picked up survivors from the ships disabled in the battle. The Athenian generals (including [[Pericles]]' son) are put to death.
* Sparta sues for peace, which the Athenian leader [[Cleophon (politician)|Cleophon]] rejects. Sparta yields to demands by the Persian [[satrap]] [[Cyrus the Younger|Cyrus]] that Lysander command a fleet in the Hellespont.

==== Roman Republic ====
* The [[Roman Republic|Roman]] forces begin a decade-long siege against [[Veii]].

==== Carthage ====
* The [[Carthage|Carthaginians]] again invade [[Sicily]] and attack [[Agrigentum]] (Acragas). [[Bubonic plague|Plague]] breaks out in their camp and Hannibal Mago dies. [[Himilco (general)|Himilco]] assumes command and captures Agrigentum (Acragas), [[Gela]] and [[Camarina]]. Gela is destroyed and its treasures sacked. The survivors take refuge in [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]]. The plague is carried back to Carthage by its soldiers.
</onlyinclude>

==Births==

== Deaths ==
* [[Euripides]], [[Athens|Athenian]] playwright (b. c. [[480 BC]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Euripides' Bacchae Study Guide |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/classics/classical-play/past-productions/2015-euripides-bacchae/euripides-bacchae-study-guide |website=University College London Department of Greek & Latin |access-date=5 November 2024 |language=en |date=15 November 2018}}</ref>
* [[Hannibal Mago]], Carthaginian general
* [[Sophocles]], [[Athens|Athenian]] dramatist and [[politician]] (b. c. [[495 BC]])

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:406 Bc}}
[[Category:406 BC| ]]