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455 BCE

This year falls in the Classical antiquity (c. 500 BCE–500 CE). Large empires rule much of Eurasia, among them Persia, the Maurya and Gupta states of India, Han China and Rome. Classical Greece, the spread of Buddhism and the rise of Christianity belong to this era, which ends as the western Roman Empire falls in the fifth century CE.

Within fifteen years

Philosopher · Classical antiquity · GreeceDemocritusc. 460–c. 370 BCGreek thinker from Abdera who worked out the first full atomic theory: all things are made of indivisible atoms moving in empty void. He lived about 460 to 370 BC. His many books are lost; the theory survives through later reports and Epicurus.

Philosopher · Classical antiquity · ChinaMozic. 470–c. 391 BCChinese thinker who founded Mohism, a strict rival to Confucianism, preaching impartial care for all people and condemning offensive war and lavish ritual. His followers formed a disciplined order. He lived about 470 to 391 BC.

Philosopher · Classical Greece · GreeceSocratesc. 470–399 BCAthenian philosopher who wrote nothing. What is known of him comes chiefly from Plato, Xenophon, and Aristophanes. Tried and put to death by Athens in 399 BC.