481 BC

Centuries:	6th century BC · 5th century BC · 4th century BC
Decades:	510s BC 500s BC 490s BC 480s BC 470s BC 460s BC 450s BC
Years:	484 BC 483 BC 482 BC 481 BC 480 BC 479 BC 478 BC

[edit] Events

The Congress at the Isthmus of Corinth, under the presidency of Sparta, bring together a number of the Greek city states. The Congress agrees to the end of the war between Athens and Aegina. The Congress discusses the threat from the Persians. Athens is unwilling to place her forces under Sparta and its King Leonidas. Gelon, tyrant of Syracuse wants high command, but Sparta and Athens refuse. However, during the Congress, Gelon has to withdraw due to Carthage's plans to invade Sicily. Finally, Themistocles agrees that Athens' navy serve under a Spartan admiral to achieve the unity of the Greek states. Nevertheless, Thebes and Thessaly are unwilling to support Athens against the Persians and Crete decides to remain neutral.

Persian King Xerxes I arrives at Sardis and begins to build up his great army and navy for the invasion of Greece. Egypt contributes 481 ships.

Burn, A.R., "The Pelican History of Greece", Penguin Books, England, 1987.
Hornblower, S. & Spawforth, T., ed. "Who's Who in the Classical World", Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2000.
Mellersh, H.E.L., "Chronology of the Ancient World", Barrie & Jenkins, London, 1976.
Trager, J., "The People's Chronology", Aurum Press, London, 1992.ca:481 aC