478 BC

By place

Greece

• Despite Spartan opposition, Athens is refortified as well as rebuilt after the Persian destruction of the city.
• With the help of the Athenian statesman and general, Cimon, Aristides commands an Athenian fleet of 30 ships that the Spartan commander Pausanias leads to capture the Greek cities on Cyprus and Byzantium, taking them from the Persians and their Phoenician allies.
• While Pausanias is occupying Byzantium, his arrogance and his adoption of Persian clothing and manners offends the allies and raises suspicions of disloyalty. Pausanias is recalled to Sparta, where he is tried and acquitted of the charge of treason, but he is not restored to his command.

  Sicily

• Hiero I becomes the Tyrant of Syracuse following the death of his brother Gelo.

  China

• A Temple of Confucius is established in Qufu.