600s BC

Centuries: 8th century BC - 7th century BC - 6th century BC

Decades: 650s BC 640s BC 630s BC 620s BC 610s BC - 600s BC - 590s BC 580s BC 570s BC 560s BC 550s BC

The 600s BC are the years 609 to 600 BC.

Events and trends

609 BC - King Josiah of Judah dies in the Battle of Megiddo against Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt, who is on his way north to aid the rump Assyrian state of Ashur-uballit II.
609 BC - The Babylonians defeat the Assyrian army of Ashur-uballit II and capture Harran. Ashur-uballit, the last Assyrian king, disappears from history.
609 BC - Jehoahaz succeeds his father Josiah as King of Judah, but is quickly deposed by Necho, who installs Jehoahaz's brother Jehoiakim in his place.
607 BC - Death of Zhou Kuang Wang, King of the Zhou Dynasty of China. Jerusalem's destruction according to some interpretations. Historians commonly believe the fall to be 587/586 BC.
606 BC - Zhou Ding Wang becomes King of the Zhou Dynasty of China.
605 BC - Battle of Carchemish: Crown Prince Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon defeats the army of Necho II of Egypt, securing the Babylonian conquest of Assyria. The Babylonians pursue through Syria and Palestine. Judah fell to Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar.
604 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II succeeds his father Nabopolassar as King of Babylon.
600 BC - Radiocarbon dating for first circular inhabitation enclosure at Emain Macha.
600 BC - Foundation of Armenia.
600 BC - Foundation of Capua.
600 BC - Foundation of Milan by Celts (approximate date).
600 BC - Foundation of Marseille by Phoceans (traditional date).
600 BC - Smyrna sacked and destroyed.
600 BC - Nebuchadrezzar builds the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
600 BC - (LDS) Lehi leads his family and some friends on pilgrimage from Jerusalem to the Americas.

Significant people

600 BC - Birth of King Cambyses I of Anshan, head of the Achaemenid dynasty (approximate date)