430s

430s commonly denotes the decade spanning the years 430 through 439, and it can refer to either the BCE or CE era depending on the historical context. In calendar terms, it is a ten-year block used to organize events and developments in ancient history.

In the CE context, the 430s are part of Late Antiquity. Notable events include the Council of Ephesus in 431 CE, a major ecumenical council that affirmed Christological doctrine, and the Vandals’ capture of Carthage in 439 CE, which significantly affected power dynamics in the western Mediterranean.

In the BCE context, the 430s BCE saw significant activity in ancient Greece. The Peloponnesian War began in 431 BCE, pitting Athens against Sparta and their respective allies. The Plague of Athens began around 430 BCE, contributing to social and political upheaval, and the death of the Athenian leader Pericles occurred around 429 BCE.

Beyond calendar uses, 430s also denote the set of integers from 430 to 439 inclusive, a common way to describe a small numerical interval. In modern contexts, the term may appear in product names, serial numbers, addresses, or other labeling to indicate proximity to the number 430.

See also: 430, and disambiguation pages for 430s and 430s CE/BCE in reference works.