300 BC - 201 BC

Independent Greek Cities in southern Italy were threatened by the expansion of Rome. Greece responded by sending troops and this lead to the Battle of Heraclea in 280 BC.
The First Punic War between Rome and Carthage raged from 264 BC to 241 BC. Carthaginian problems were compounded when unpaid mercenaries rose in revolt to start  the Mercenary War of 240 BC.

In 218 BC the Second Punic War started and the Carthaginian General Hannibal came close to destroying Rome.

In China in 221 BC, the Han Dynasty was founded, which was to last for 400 years.