View source for 431 BC

{{unreferenced|date=February 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2011}}
{{Year nav|-431}}
{{BC year in topic|431}}
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Year '''431 BC''' was a year of the [[Roman calendar|pre-Julian Roman calendar]]. At the time, to Romans  it was known as the '''Year of the Consulship of Cincinnatus and Mento''' (or, less frequently, '''year 323 ''[[Ab urbe condita]]'''''). The denomination 431 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 ===
==== Greece ====
* [[Athens]] enters into an alliance with King Sitalkes of [[Thrace]], after Nymphodorus, an influential Athenian, marries Sitalkes' sister. Nymphodorus then negotiates an agreement between Athens and [[Macedon]]'s King [[Perdiccas II of Macedon|Perdiccas II]], through which Perdiccas regains [[Therma]]. As a result, Athens withdraws its support for Perdiccas' brother, Philip, and the Thracians promise to assist Perdiccas in capturing him. In return, Perdiccas marches on the [[Chalcidia]]ns, the people he has originally persuaded to revolt.
* A [[Thebes, Greece|Theban]] raid on [[Plataea]], the only pro-Athenian city in [[Boeotia]], is a failure and the Plataeans take 180 prisoners and put them to death. Athens supports Plataea while Sparta aligns itself with Thebes. Sparta enlists the help of the Greek cities in [[Italy]] and [[Sicily]]. Both Sparta and Athens appeal to [[Achaemenid Empire|Persia]], but without result.
* The Spartans, led by King [[Archidamus II]], invade [[Attica]] effectively starting the [[Peloponnesian War|first phase of the Peloponnesian War]], actually the second of such wars, between the Athens-led [[Delian League]] and the Sparta-led [[Peloponnesian League]]. The Spartans lay waste to the countryside around Athens. Athenian leader, [[Pericles]], does not seriously oppose them, rather withdrawing the rural population of the country districts within Athens' city walls. Instead, he pursues active naval warfare and reduces any danger from the island of [[Aegina]] by replacing its native population with Athenians.
* The Athenian fleet raids the [[Peloponnese]] and pilages the area around [[Methoni, Messenia|Methone]]. The town is saved through an intervention by the Spartan general [[Brasidas]]. The Athenians then sail on laying waste to the coastal areas of the western Peloponnese.

==== Roman Republic ====
* The [[Roman Republic|Romans]] defeat the [[Aequi]] and the [[Volsci]] at the [[battle of Mount Algidus]].

=== By topic ===
==== Science ====
* The [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] [[philosopher]] [[Empedocles]] distinguishes the [[four elements]] - earth, fire, water, and air - that he claims all substances are made of. He explains the development of the universe by the forces of attraction and repulsion known as Love and Strife.

==== Literature ====
* [[Euripides]]' play ''[[Medea (play)|Medea]]'' wins third prize at the [[Dionysia]], the famous Athenian dramatic festival.
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== Births ==
* [[Xenophon]], Athenian Greek mercenary and writer (d. c. [[354 BC]])

== Deaths ==

* [[Phidias]] returns to [[Athens]], where he is imprisoned (for having been portrayed on the shield of the statue of the [[Athena|goddess Athena]]) and dies before the trial. 

*

== References ==
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[[Category:430s BC]]
[[Category:Years of the 5th century BC]]