306 BC

Events

Menelaus, brother of Egypt's ruler, Ptolemy I Soter, is defeated and captured by Demetrius Poliorcetes in the Battle of Salamis, a naval battle off Cyprus. The battle is a complete victory for Demetrius and results in his capture of Cyprus from Ptolemy and it completely destroys the naval power of Egypt. This gives Demetrius Poliorcetes' father, Antigonus I Monophthalmus, control of the Aegean, the eastern Mediterranean, and all of the Middle East except Babylonia.
With Antigonus and Demetrius now each assuming the title of king, Ptolemy, as well as Cassander, Lysimachus and Seleucus I Nicator, respond by doing the same.

Antigonus proclaims himself king of Asia Minor and northern Syria thus commencing the Antigonid dynasty. Antigonus appoints Demetrius Poliorcetes king and co-regent.

A peace agreement is reached between Syracuse and Carthage. The peace restricts Carthaginian power in Sicily to the area west of the Halycus (Platani) River. This agreement allows the tyrant of Syracuse, Agathocles, to strengthen his rule over the Greek cities of Sicily.

Antigonus tries to follow up his victory in Cyprus by invading Egypt with a large army and a formidable fleet. But Ptolemy successfully holds the frontier against him. However, the year's events mean that Ptolemy no longer engages in overseas expeditions against Antigonus.

A four-drachma coin, picturing Alexander the Great, is issued by Lysimachos from this time until 281 BC. At least one of them is now preserved at the British Museum in London.