Editing 342 BC

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{{BC year in topic|342}}
[[File:Alexander and Aristotle.jpg|thumb|[[Aristotle]] tutoring [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]]]]
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Year '''342 BC''' was a year of the [[Roman calendar|pre-Julian Roman calendar]]. At the time it was known as the '''Year of the Consulship of Ahala and Rutilus''' (or, less frequently, '''year 412 ''[[Ab urbe condita]]'''''). The denomination 342 BC for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the [[Anno Domini]] [[calendar era]] became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

== Events ==
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=== By place ===

==== Macedonia ====
* The Greek philosopher, [[Aristotle]], is invited by [[Philip II of Macedon|Philip II]] to his capital at [[Pella]] to tutor his son, [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]]. As the leading intellectual figure in [[Greece]], Aristotle is commissioned to prepare Alexander for his future role as a military leader. (or 343 BC)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aristotle |access-date=February 24, 2024 | title=Aristotle | first1=Anselm H. | last1=Amadio | first2=Anthony J.P. | last2=Kenney | date=January 5, 2024| series=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref>
* Philip begins a series of campaigns in [[Thrace]] with the aim of annexing it to be a province of [[Macedon]]ia. When the Macedonian army approaches [[Thracian Chersonese]] (the [[Gallipoli Peninsula]]), an [[Athens|Athenian]] general named [[Diopeithes]] ravages this district of Thrace, thus inciting Philip's rage for operating too near one of his towns in the Chersonese. Philip demands his recall. In response, the Athenian Assembly is convened. [[Demosthenes]] convinces the Athenians not to recall Diopeithes.

==== Sicily ====
* The [[Ancient Corinth|Corinth]]ian general [[Timoleon]] spreads his rule over Sicily, removing a number of other [[tyrant]]s and preparing Sicily for another threatened [[Carthage|Carthaginian]] invasion.

==== Roman Republic ====
* The [[Battle of Mount Gaurus]] is fought between the [[Roman Republic|Romans]] and the [[Samnites]]. The battle is a success for the Romans, who, it is said, are led by [[Marcus Valerius Corvus]]. Fought at the foot of Mount Gaurus, near [[Cumae]], it is the most notable engagement of the [[First Samnite War]].

==== China ====
* In the course of the [[Warring States period]], the army of the state of [[Qi (state)|Qi]] defeats the army of the state of [[Wei (state)|Wei]] in the [[Battle of Maling]]. This battle involves the [[military strategy]] of the general [[Sun Bin]] (descendant of [[Sun Tzu]]), and is the first battle in recorded history to give a reliable account of the handheld [[crossbow]] with trigger mechanism.
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== Births ==
* [[Menander]], [[Greek literature|Greek]] playwright (d. [[291 BC]])

== Deaths ==
* [[Pang Juan]], Chinese general
* [[Antiphon (arsonist)|Antiphon]], Greek arsonist, execution

== References ==
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[[Category:342 BC| ]]