Year

Month

Description

500

Anaxagoras, philosopher, born (ca.) in Ionia.

500

Heraclitus, philosopher, flourished (“flux”); at Ephesus

500

Pericles, Athenian statesman, born; son of Xanthippus and Agariste (niece of Cleisthenes).

500

Pythagoras, philosopher, mathematician, dies in Metopontum, Lucania, Italy.  (other dates: 490, 510)

500

Cleisthenes, political leader, dies.

500

1

Strife at Naxos; Aristocrats flee to Miletus (coast of Asia Minor, opposite Samos) which was governed by Aristagoras.  Motive: Democratic reforms at Naxos?

500

2

Naxian exiles appeal to Aristagores for help to restore them to Naxos.  Aristagores gets Persian approval for an expedition against Naxos.  200 triremes committed.

499

Aeschylus, the “father of tragedy”, presents his first play

499

1

Persian fleet commanded by Megabates faints north toward the Hellespont, then moves on Naxos by way of Chios.  Naxians warned.  Siege of Naxos lasts 4 months, fails.  Aristagores now in financial trouble.

499

9

Aristagores proclaims isonomia in Miletus; start of Ionian rebellion.

499

10

Aristagoras goes to Sparta requesting help against Persia; rejected.

499

11

Aristagoras addresses Athenian assembly.  Athens votes to send 20 ships under command of Melanthius in support of Ionian rebellion.  Is 20 ships a compromise?

498

3

Fleet (of Athens and Eretria) arrives at Ephesus in support of Ionian rebellion; soldiers march to Sardis; attack and burn city including temple of Artemis Cybele.

498

4

Persians roused; assemble army; pursue Ionians to Ephesus, defeat Ionain army in battle. Athenian fleet withdraws from alliance, returns to Athens.  Why give up?  Concern for Aegina?

498

6

Ionian revolt spreads; Ionians take Byzantium, then south to rouse Caria. 

498

6

Cyprus revolts against Persia.  Leader is Onesilus of Salamis.  Phoenician fleet carries Persian army to counter attack.  A series of sieges ensue.

497

3

Persian army regroups and launches three-pronged response.  One, under Daurises is in Hellespont, second under Hymaees in Propontis, third under Otanes in Ionia.

497

6

Caria revolts; diverts Daurises south; after several battles Carians are defeated. 

497

6

Cyrprian revolt put down.

497

6

Aristagoras abandons Miletus; is killed while at Myrcinus near end of the year.

496

The rase for mares added to Olympic games

496

3

Hipparchos elected Eponymous Archon.  Attempt to placate Persia?

496

4

In final battle in Caria, Daurises and other generals ambushed and killed on the Pedasus road.  Creates stalemate. (Possibly in 497)

495

Sophocles, dramatist, born near Athens.  Added third character, moved past trilogy form.

494

3

Persians shift strategy to attack Miletus.  Concentrate naval and land forces for push.

494

4

Histiaeus attempts to force his way back in control of Miletus; citizens refuse.

494

5

Ionians gather at Panionium; opt for naval strategy

494

8

Ionian fleet concentrates at Lade; over 300 triremes from 9 cities (Chios: 100, Miletus 80, Lesbos: 70, Samos 60, others from Priene, Myus, Teos, Erythrae, Phocaea)

494

8

Persians, concerned by size of Ionian fleet, work through former tyrants to detach cities from Ionian revolt, promising safety.

494

8

Argos defeated by Sparta under Cleomenes at Sepeia; sacred grove burnt.

494

9.1

Dionysius of Phocaea (on mainland opposite Chios) appeals to Ionians to accept unitary command and discipline from him to ensure future freedom.  Proposal accepted

494

9.2

Dionysius trains Ionian fleet; after a week, fleet rebels.

494

9.3

Samian fleet deserts to the Persians, does not fight.  Lesbians follow.

494

9.4

Ionian fleet destroyed by Persians in battle off Lade.  Dionysisus sales for Siciy after battle is lost. Temple of Apollo at Didyma burnt down by Persians.

494

11

Persian siege of Miletus, capture city, enslave women, kill men, burn city. Ionian rebellion ends.