280s BC deaths

Mencius (孟子, Mèngzǐ, ; ), born Meng Ke (), was a Chinese Confucian philosopher, often described as the Second Sage () to reflect his traditional esteem relative to Confucius himself. He was part of Confucius's fourth generation of disciples, inheriting his ideology and developing it further. Living during the Warring States period, he is said to have spent much of his life travelling around the states offering counsel to different rulers. Conversations with these rulers form the basis of the Mencius, which would later be canonised as a Confucian classic.

Theophrastus (; ; c. 371 – c. 287 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher and naturalist. A native of Eresos in Lesbos, he was Aristotle's close colleague and successor as head of the Lyceum, the Peripatetic school of philosophy in Athens. Theophrastus wrote numerous treatises across all areas of philosophy, working to support, improve, expand, and develop the Aristotelian system. He made significant contributions to various fields, including ethics, metaphysics, botany, and natural history. Often considered the "father of botany" for his groundbreaking works "Enquiry into Plants" () and "On the

Chinese Taoist philosopher (c. 369–286 BC)

Macedonian general, ruler of Egypt

Greek statesman and philosopher (c.350–c.280 BC)

ancient Greek scholar and poet

Roman praetor and general, consul in 284 BC

Persian princess (died c. 284 BC)

ancient Greek philosopher

king of the Bosporan Kingdom from 304 to 284 BC