By Month: Historical Events in February

Traditional founding date of Rome by Romulus.

Traditional accession of Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first Emperor of Japan.

Roman Republic established after the overthrow of the Roman monarchy.

Battle of Marathon, where the Athenians defeated the Persians during the first Persian invasion of Greece.

Birth of Alexander the Great in Macedonia.

Philip II of Macedon defeats Greek city-states, asserting Macedonian dominance.

Birth of the Indian Emperor Ashoka, one of the most influential rulers in history.

Death of Pyrrhus of Epirus, a skilled military leader known for the Pyrrhic victories.

Hannibal begins his journey across the Alps with his army and elephants during the Second Punic War.

The Roman general Fabius Maximus begins his strategy of attrition against Hannibal during the Second Punic War.

Scipio Africanus wins the Battle of Metaurus against Carthaginians in Italy.

Battle of Zama, where Scipio Africanus defeats Hannibal, ending the Second Punic War.

Liu Bang becomes Emperor Gaozu of Han, founding the Han Dynasty in China.

The Battle of Magnesia, where the Roman Republic and Pergamon defeated the Seleucid Empire.

The third and final Punic War, between Rome and Carthage, comes to an end. The Punic Wars were a series of three wars between 264 and 146 BCE, fought between Rome and Carthage lasting more than 100 years of fighting on land and sea across the western Mediterranean region with immense materiel and human losses on both sides. It ended in 146 BCE with a total Roman victory. More

The Roman Senate sends an embassy to Macedonia, leading to the beginning of the Third Macedonian War.

Attalus III, King of Pergamon, bequeaths his kingdom to the Roman Republic, marking the beginning of Roman rule in Asia Minor.

Death of Tiberius Gracchus, Roman politician and reformer.

Julius Caesar abolishes the Roman Republic and becomes dictator perpetuo (dictator in perpetuity).

Lupercalia festival during which Julius Caesar was assassinated in Rome.