This decade witnessed the continuing decline of the Achaemenid Empire, fierce warfare amongst the Greek city-states during the Peloponnesian War, the ongoing Warring States period in Zhou dynasty China, and the closing years of the Olmec civilization (lasting from c. 1200–400 BC) in modern-day Mexico.
Significant people
- Euphemus of Athens, Archon of Athens. In office 417-416 BC
- Euripides of Athens, playwright
- Socrates of Athens, philosopher
- Sophocles of Athens, playwright
- Thucydides of Athens, historian and author of the History of the Peloponnesian War
- Hannibal Mago, King of Carthage, r. 440–406 BC
- Weilieh, Zhou dynasty king of China, r. 425–402 BC
- Tharrhypas, King of Epirus, r. 430–390 BC
- Perdiccas II, King of Macedon, r. 454–413 BC
- Archelaus I, King of Macedon, r. 413–399 BC
- Mahapadma Nanda, King (and founder) of the Nanda Dynasty in Magadha (in Ancient India), r. c. 420–362 BC
- Kosho, legendary Emperor of Japan, r. 475–393 BC
- Amanineteyerike, King of Kush r. 431–405 BC
- Darius II, King of the Achaemenid Persian Empire r. 423–404 BC
- Amyrtaeus of Egypt, Anti-Achaemenid rebel and future Pharaoh of Egypt
- Joiada of Judah, High-Priest of Israel, held position 433–410 BC
- Johanan of Judah, High-priest of Israel, held position 410–371 BC
- Malachi of Judah, prophet (according to Bible)
- Tissaphernes of Persia, Satrap of Lydia and Caria
- Abdemon, King of Salamis, r. 420–410 BC
- Evagoras, King of Salamis, r. 410–374 BC
- Pleistoanax (Agaid king r. 458–401 BC) and Agis II (Eurypontid king r. 427–400 BC), co-kings of Sparta.
- Seuthes I, King of Thrace, r. 424–410 BC
- Amadocus I, King of Thrace, r. 410–390 BC
Contemporaries of future importance
- Artaxerxes of Persia, Achaemenid prince and future King of Persia
- Cyrus the Younger of Persia, Achaemenid prince and satrap
- Plato of Athens, student of Socrates and future philosopher
- Xenophon of Athens, soldier and future writer of Anabasis