Year by year · 3rd century BCE

202 BCE

202 BCE in world history: 8 events, 6 deaths, 1 state founded and 5 that came to an end. 348 recorded states existed that year.

Events

  1. 28 February

    Liu Bang is crowned emperor, founding the Han dynasty

    Liu Bang, a commoner who had risen in the revolts against the Qin and defeated his rival Xiang Yu, was crowned emperor. As Emperor Gaozu he founded the Han dynasty.

    Liu BangQin dynasty

  2. 19 October

    Scipio defeats Hannibal at Zama

    Publius Cornelius Scipio defeated Hannibal near Zama in North Africa; 19 October is the traditional date. The victory ended the Second Punic War, leaving Rome dominant in the western Mediterranean.

    Second Punic WarHannibal

  3. Battle

    Battle of Zama

    The Battle of Zama, fought in 202 BCE in present-day Tunisia, was the decisive battle of the Second Punic War.

  4. Battle

    Battle of Gaixia

    The Battle of Gaixia, fought in 202 BCE in what is now Anhui province, was the final battle of the Chu–Han Contention.

ProfileState242 states with a known seat in 202 BCEOpen the atlas at 202 BCE →

In the profiles

  • Han DynastyLiu Bang defeats Xiang Yu and proclaims himself emperor as Gaozu
  • Punic EmpireScipio defeats Hannibal at Zama
  • NumidiaMasinissa's cavalry helps Rome win the Battle of Zama; Numidia is united

Wars and longer events

Died in 202 BCE 6

States founded 1

States that came to an end 5

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). 202 BCE. In The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/202-bce
MLA
“202 BCE.” The Epoch Institute, Year by Year, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/202-bce. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “202 BCE.” The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/202-bce.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘202 BCE’, The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/202-bce (Accessed: ).