Decades: 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC - 250s BC - 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC 200s BC

Years: 259 BC 258 BC 257 BC 256 BC 255 BC - 254 BC - 253 BC 252 BC 251 BC 250 BC 249 BC

• First Punic War: The Romans capture Panormus in northern Sicily.