600 BC
The year 600 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. In the Roman Empire, it was known as year 154 Ab urbe condita. The denomination 600 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
By place
India
- Lord Mahavir, the last and 24th Tirthankar, of the ancient Indian religion, Jainism was born.
Middle East
- Zoroaster's religion becomes popular in Persia.
- Smyrna is sacked and destroyed by Alyattes I.
- The country of Armenia is created.
Western Europe
- The first dwelling at Emain Macha is built.
- Milan is founded by Celts.
- Capua is founded by Etruscans.
- Pompeii is founded.
- The Etruscans seize possession of Rome, making it into a prosperous trade center.
- Victorious over the Carthaginians in a naval battle, the Greeks of Phocaea establish the city of Marseille in today's France.
- Athens is suffering severe economic problems.
North America
- The calendrical system begins appearing in areas with strong Olmec influence, continuing to appear until 500 BC.
By topic
Art and architecture
- Archaic period of sculpture begins in Greece.
- Kouros begins to be made, being finished in 580 BC.
- Pitcher , from Corinth, is made. It is now at The British Museum, London.
- The Temple of Artemis, Korkyra in Corfu begins to be built.
- The Doric and Ionic orders are well developed.
Births
- Cyrus the Great, king of Persia
- King Gong of Chu, king of the Chinese state of Chu
Deaths
- Battus I of Cyrene, founder and first king of the Greek colony of Cyrenaica
- Duke Cheng of Jin, ruler of the Chinese state of Jin
- Cyrus I, king of Anshan, according to some sources