481 BC

By place

Persian Empire

• The 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.

  Greece

• The Congress at the Isthmus of Corinth, under the presidency of Sparta, brings together a number of the Greek city states, who agree to the end of the war between Athens and Aegina. They also discuss the threat from the Persians. Athens is unwilling to place her forces under Sparta and its king Leonidas. Gelo, tyrant of Syracuse, wants high command, but Sparta and Athens refuse. However, during the Congress, Gelo 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.

  China

• The Spring and Autumn period, which has begun in 722 BC, ends and compilation of the Spring and Autumn Annals ceases. It gives way to the Warring States period.

  Rome

• The Aequi lay siege to Ortona but are defeated by the Romans. Tensions between the Roman classes flare during the battle.
• Continuation of hostilities with Veii. The Veientine army threatens to besiege Rome but nothing notable occurs.
• The tribune Spurius Licinius unsuccessfully advocates an agrarian law.