Century
5th Century BCE
What happened in the 5th Century BCE.
TechnologyMeroitic Iron Smelting Industry Flourishesc. 500 BCE · Meroe, SudanMeroe develops a massive iron smelting industry using abundant fuel and advanced furnace technology.
ReligionConstruction of Kalasasaya Temple at Tiwanakuc. 500 CE · Tiwanaku, BoliviaThe Kalasasaya temple is built with monolithic stones for solar observance.
TechnologyConstruction of the Great Cloaca Maxima in Romec. 500 BCE · Rome, ItalyEarly Romans build the massive Cloaca Maxima sewer system to drain marshes and manage waste.
TechnologyDevelopment of the Polynesian Star Compass Systemc. 500 BCE · Society Islands, French PolynesiaPolynesian navigators memorize star paths to traverse the Pacific without instruments.
ReligionParinirvana of the Buddhac. 483 BCE · Kushinagar (modern Uttar Pradesh/India)Siddhartha Gautama passes away, entering final Nirvana and leaving his disciples with the Dharma to guide them.
ReligionFirst Buddhist Council at Rajgirc. 483 BCE · Rajgir (modern Bihar/India)Monks gather to recite and codify the Buddha's teachings after his death, preserving the Dharma for future generations.
PoliticsErection of Stela 31 at Tikalc. 450 CE · Tikal, GuatemalaYax Nuun Ayiin I commemorates his victory and foreign alliances.
architectureConstruction of the Parthenon Begins447 BCE · Athens Acropolis, GreecePericles commissions the Doric temple dedicated to Athena Parthenos.