List of Revolutions and Rebellions - BC

BC

• c. 2380 BC (short chronology): A popular revolt in the Sumerian city of Lagash deposes King Lugalanda and puts the reformer Urukagina on the throne.
• 842 BC: After the Compatriots Rebellion exiled King Li of Zhou, China was ruled by the Gonghe Regency until the king died in exile.
• 615 BC: The Babylonians revolt against rule from the Assyrian empire.
• 570 BC: A revolt broke out among native Egyptian soldiers, giving Amasis II opportunity to seize the throne.
• 508/7 BC: The Athenian Revolution establishing democracy in Athens.
• 499–493 BC: The Ionian Revolt. Most of the Greek cities occupied by the Persians in Asia Minor and Cyprus rose up against their Persian rulers.
• 464 BC: The Helot slaves revolt against their Spartan masters.
• 460 BC: The Inarus revolted against the Persians in Egypt with the help of his Athenian allies.
• 206 BC: Ziying, last ruler of the Qin Dynasty of China surrenders himself to Liu Bang, leader of a popular revolt and founder of the Han Dynasty.
• 181–174 BC: The Celtiberian revolt in Spain; Romans eventually subdue the Celtiberians.
• 167–160 BC: The Jews revolt, in the Hasmonean Revolt, against the Seleucid Empire because of the Hellenization of Judea and the high taxes; Leader of the rebellion is Judah the Maccabi, achieving independence as the Hasmonean kingdom of Judah.
• 154 BC: The failed Rebellion of the Seven States by members of the royal family of the Han Dynasty.
• 153–133 BC: The Celtiberians again revolted, and were not finally overcome until the capture of Numantia.
• 147–139 BC: The Lusitanian Rebellion against the Roman forces in modern day Portugal, led by Lusitanian leader named Viriathus.
• 73–71 BC: The failed Roman slave rebellion, led by the gladiator Spartacus.
• 52–51 BC: The revolt of the Celtic Gauls, led by Vercingetorix, was crushed by Julius Caesar.
• 49–45 BC: Julius Caesar crossed the river Rubicon heading part of the Roman army and marched on Rome. After overthrowing and assuming control of Pompeian government, he was proclaimed "dictator in perpetuity".