Ptolemy Euergetes succeeds his father Ptolemy Philadelphus on the throne of Egypt.
243. Corinth, delivered by Aratus from the yoke of Macedon, joins the Achaean League; other states follow the example.
241. Agis IV, of Sparta, assists the Achaeans in their war against the Aetolians.
Rome, having again assembled a great fleet, under Lutatius Catalus, vanquishes the Carthaginians in a naval encounter off the Aegates. End of the First Punic War; Sicily is relinquished by Carthage to Rome.
240. The Carthaginian mercenaries in Africa revolt; Hamilcar Barca crushes it out.
237. Carthage is compelled to cede Sardinia to Rome.
236-221. Celomenes III of Sparta institutes great political reforms and engages in a struggle with the Achaean League.
236-220. Hamilcar Barca and Hasdrubal, his son-in-law, conquer a great part of Spain.
235. Rome, at peace with all the world, closes the temple of Janus, for the first time since Numa, according to legend, the second king of Rome.
234. Birth of Cato the Elder.