4th Century BC

The 4th century BC spans from 400 to 301 BC. It was a period of significant cultural, political, and philosophical development, especially in ancient Greece. This era saw the rise of influential thinkers like Aristotle and Plato, and the expansion of Greek city-states' power, culminating in the widespread influence of Alexander the Great, who created one of the largest empires of the time. It was a time of creative achievements in art, science, and politics, setting foundations for Western civilization. The century also marked the decline of the Persian Empire and the beginning of Hellenistic culture spreading across Asia and Egypt.