Century
2nd Century BCE
What happened in the 2nd Century BCE.
CivilizationCodices and Writing System of the Mayac. 200 BCE · El Mirador, GuatemalaThe Maya develop a complex logosyllabic writing system and astronomical calendars during the Preclassic period.
ArtPeak of Pyramid Construction in Meroec. 200 BCE · Meroe, SudanThe Kingdom of Kush reaches its architectural zenith with the construction of steep pyramids at Meroe.
CivilizationConstruction of the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacánc. 1 CE · Teotihuacán, MexicoThe second-largest pyramid is built to honor the Great Goddess and align with lunar cycles.
PoliticsConstruction of Royal Tombs at Sipán (Huaca Rajada)c. 200 CE · Sipán, PeruThe Huaca Rajada complex is built to house the elite of the Moche civilization.
PoliticsSunga Dynasty Overthrows Mauryasc. 185 BCE · Pataliputra, Magadha, IndiaGeneral Pushyamitra Shunga assassinates the last Mauryan emperor Brihadratha, ending the Mauryan Empire and establishing the Shunga Dynasty.
PoliticsShunga Dynasty Overthrows Mauryasc. 185 BCE · Pataliputra (modern Patna/India)General Pushyamitra Shunga assassinates the last Mauryan emperor and establishes the Shunga Dynasty, reviving Brahmanical traditions.
PoliticsEstablishment of Indo-Greek Kingdom in Bactriac. 180 BCE · Bactria (modern Afghanistan)The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom expands into India under Demetrius I, creating a unique fusion of Greek and Indian art and culture.
WarMenander I Conquers Pataliputra regionc. 160 BCE · Begram to Pataliputra axisIndo-Greek King Menander I (Milinda) extends his empire deep into the Gangetic plain, challenging Shunga authority and spreading Hellenistic-Buddhist culture.
ReligionExpansion of the Great Stupa at Sanchic. 150 BCE · Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, IndiaThe Shunga Dynasty expands the original brick stupa into a massive stone structure, adding the first elaborate gateways and railings.
TechnologyConstruction of the Antikythera Mechanismc. 150 BCE · Antikythera Island, GreeceGreek engineers craft the world's first known analog computer for astronomical calculations.
WarRoman Destruction of Carthage146 BCE · Carthage, TunisiaRome completely destroys Carthage at the end of the Third Punic War, ending its rivalry and enslaving its population.
WarDestruction of Carthage by Romec. 146 BCE · Carthage (Tunis), TunisiaRome systematically destroys Carthage, ending the Punic Wars and erasing its civilization.
ExplorationOpening of the Silk Road by Zhang Qian138 BCE · Dunhuang, China (Departure)Emperor Wu sends Zhang Qian westward to ally with the Xiongnu, inadvertently opening trade routes connecting East and West.