1. Battle of Gaugamela: Alexander the Great, as part of his ongoing conquest of the Persian Empire, defeated King Darius III of Persia in the decisive Battle of Gaugamela. This victory resulted in the collapse of the Achaemenid Empire and established Alexander's dominance in the region.
2. Foundation of Alexandria: Alexander the Great founded the city of Alexandria in Egypt as a center of Hellenistic culture and learning. The city would become a major intellectual hub and continue to play a crucial role in the development of Western civilization.
3. First Samnite War: The First Samnite War between the Roman Republic and the Samnites began. This conflict marked the first of a series of wars between the two powers that would significantly shape the territorial expansion of Rome.
4. Philosophy of Pyrrho: The Greek philosopher Pyrrho of Elis developed a philosophical school known as Pyrrhonism. Pyrrho's teachings emphasized skepticism and doubt, questioning the possibility of certain knowledge and promoting the pursuit of inner tranquility.
5. Spread of Buddhism: Buddhism continued to spread throughout the Indian subcontinent, with several prominent figures, including Emperor Ashoka, embracing the teachings of the Buddha and promoting their dissemination.
6. Olmec Decline: The Olmec civilization, one of the earliest major civilizations in Mesoamerica, began to decline around this time. The reasons for this decline are not fully understood, but it marked the end of a significant cultural era in the region.
These events in 340 BCE represent various turning points in history, marking the rise and fall of empires, the spread of philosophical thought, and the development of cultural centers that would shape the trajectory of civilizations in the centuries to come.