285 BC

Year 285 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar.

Millennium: 1st millennium BC
Centuries: 4th century BC3rd century BC2nd century BC
Decades: 310s BC  300s BC  290s BC 280s BC 270s BC  260s BC  250s BC
Years: 288 BC 287 BC 286 BC285 BC284 BC 283 BC 282 BC

Events

Egypt

  • June 26 Egypt's Ptolemy I Soter quits ruling. He is succeeded by his youngest son by his wife Berenice, Ptolemy II Philadelphus. He was co-regent for three years.
  • A 110 metre tall lighthouse on the island of Pharos in Alexandria's harbour is completed. It is a landmark for ships in the eastern Mediterranean. Built by Sostratus of Cnidus for Ptolemy II of Egypt, it is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It is a technological triumph and is the archetype of all lighthouses since. A broad spiral ramp leads to the top, where a fire burns at night.

Seleucid Empire

  • Demetrius Poliorcetes is left by his troops and surrenders to Seleucus at Cilicia, where Seleucus keeps him a prisoner.

Deaths

  • Dicaearchus, Greek philosopher, cartographer, geographer, mathematician and author (b. c. 350 BC)
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