213 BC

By place

Seleucid Empire

• In alliance with Attalus I of Pergamum, Antiochus III finally captures the rebel king of Anatolia, Achaeus, in his capital, Sardis, after a siege of two years. Antiochus III then has Achaeus executed.

  Roman Republic

• Casilinum and Arpi are recovered by the Romans from Hannibal.

  Sicily

• Archimedes's war machines repel the Roman army that is invading Syracuse.

  China

• Emperor Qin Shi Huang orders all Confucian writings destroyed in the burning of books and burying of scholars.

  Deaths

• Aratus of Sicyon, Greek statesman, general and advocate of Greek unity, who, for many years, has been the leader of the Achaean League
• Achaeus, Seleucid general and later separatist ruler of most of Anatolia until his defeat and execution by the Seleucid king Antiochus III