Editing 265 BC

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{{Year nav|-265}}
{{BC year in topic|265}}
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Year '''265 BC''' was a year of the [[Roman calendar|pre-Julian Roman calendar]]. At the time it was known as the '''Year of the Consulship of Gurges and Vitulus''' (or, less frequently, '''year 489 ''[[Ab urbe condita]]'''''). The denomination 265 BC for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the [[Anno Domini]] [[calendar era]] became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

== Events ==
<onlyinclude>

=== By place ===

==== Greece ====
* Although the [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] fleet blockades the [[Saronic Gulf]], the [[Macedon]]ian King [[Antigonus II Gonatas|Antigonus II]] defeats the Spartans and kills the king of [[Sparta]], [[Areus I]] near [[Corinth]], after which he besieges [[Athens]].
* [[Acrotatus II]] succeeds his father Areus I as king of [[Sparta]].

==== Italy ====
* [[Hiero II of Syracuse|Hiero II]] threatens to renew his attack on the [[Mamertines]]. They appeal to [[Carthage]] and receive the support of a Carthaginian garrison. The Mamertines also appeal to the [[Roman Republic|Romans]] who are also willing to help.
* The [[Battle of Messana]] (265-[[264 BCE]]) takes place as the first military clash between the [[Roman Republic]] and [[Carthage (state)|Carthage]].
* The [[Etruscan cities|Etruscan city]] of [[Volsinii]] is brought under Roman control. During a siege, the consul [[Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges (consul 265 BC)|Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges]] is killed.

==== China ====
* The [[State of Zhao]] stations general [[Li Mu]] in Yanmen Commandery, where he proceeds to win multiple victories over the [[Xiongnu]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Sima|last= Qian|title=Records of the Grand Historian, Section: Basic Annals of Qin, Section: Li Mu}}</ref>

=== By topic ===

==== Arts & sciences ====
* The [[Archimedes' screw|Archimedes screw]] for raising water is devised by the Greek mathematician [[Archimedes]], who is studying at [[Alexandria]].
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== Births ==
* [[Agis IV]], king of [[Sparta]] (approximate date)
* [[Ziaelas of Bithynia|Ziaelas]], king of [[Bithynia]] (approximate date)

== Deaths ==
* [[Alexinus]], Greek [[philosopher]] of [[Elis (city)|Elis]]
* [[Areus I]], king of Sparta (killed in battle)
* [[Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges (consul 265 BC)|Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges]], [[Roman consul]]
* [[King Xiang of Qi|Xiang of Qi]], Chinese king of [[Qi (state)|Qi]] ([[Warring States period|Warring States Period]])
* [[Queen Dowager Xuan|Xuan]], Chinese queen dowager of [[Chu (state)|Chu]] (b. [[338 BC]])

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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[[Category:265 BC| ]]