Historydraft LogoHistorydraft Logo
Historydraft
beta
Historydraft Logo
Historydraft
beta

  • Rome
    13
    Roman Empire

    Law was passed which extended Augustus' powers over the provinces to Tiberius

    Rome
    13

    In AD 13, a law was passed which extended Augustus' powers over the provinces to Tiberius, so that Tiberius' legal powers were equivalent to, and independent from, those of Augustus.




  • Nola (Present-Day in Naples, Italy)
    Tuesday Aug 19, 14
    Roman Empire

    Augustus died

    Nola (Present-Day in Naples, Italy)
    Tuesday Aug 19, 14

    In AD 14 Augustus died at the age of seventy-five, having ruled the empire for forty years, and was succeeded as emperor by Tiberius.




  • Rome
    Wednesday Sep 17, 14
    Roman Empire

    Tiberius's reign

    Rome
    Wednesday Sep 17, 14

    The early years of Tiberius's reign were relatively peaceful. Tiberius secured the overall power of Rome and enriched its treasury. However, his rule soon became characterized by paranoia. He began a series of treason trials and executions, which continued until his death in 37.




  • Roman Empire
    31
    Roman Empire

    Sejanus also began to consolidate his own power

    Roman Empire
    31

    Sejanus also began to consolidate his own power; in 31 he was named co-consul with Tiberius and married Livilla, the emperor's niece.




  • Miseno, Italy, Roman Empire
    Monday Mar 16, 37
    Roman Empire

    Tiberius died

    Miseno, Italy, Roman Empire
    Monday Mar 16, 37

    Tiberius died in Misenum on 16 March AD 37, a few months before his 78th birthday.




  • Roman Empire
    Monday Mar 16, 37
    Roman Empire

    Caligula

    Roman Empire
    Monday Mar 16, 37

    At the time of Tiberius's death, most of the people who might have succeeded him had been killed. The logical successor (and Tiberius' own choice) was his 24-year-old grandnephew, Gaius, better known as "Caligula" ("little boots").




  • Roman Empire
    37
    Roman Empire

    Caligula's Illness

    Roman Empire
    37

    The Caligula that emerged in late 37 demonstrated features of mental instability that led modern commentators to diagnose him with such illnesses as encephalitis, which can cause mental derangement, hyperthyroidism, or even a nervous breakdown (perhaps brought on by the stress of his position).


  • Palatine Hill, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Thursday Jan 24, 41
    Roman Empire

    Caligula was assassinated

    Palatine Hill, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Thursday Jan 24, 41

    In 41, Caligula was assassinated by the commander of the guard Cassius Chaerea. Also killed were his fourth wife Caesonia and their daughter Julia Drusilla. For two days following his assassination, the senate debated the merits of restoring the Republic.


  • Rome
    Thursday Jan 24, 41
    Roman Empire

    Claudius

    Rome
    Thursday Jan 24, 41

    Claudius was a younger brother of Germanicus and had long been considered a weakling and a fool by the rest of his family. The Praetorian Guard, however, acclaimed him as emperor. Claudius was neither paranoid like his uncle Tiberius, nor insane like his nephew Caligula, and was, therefore, able to administer the Empire with reasonable ability.


  • Gardens of Lucullus, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    48
    Roman Empire

    Claudius had his wife executed

    Gardens of Lucullus, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    48

    In his own family life, Claudius was less successful. His wife Messalina cuckolded him; when he found out, he had her executed and married his niece, Agrippina the Younger.


  • Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Tuesday Oct 13, 54
    Roman Empire

    Claudius died

    Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Tuesday Oct 13, 54

    Claudius was deified later that year. The death of Claudius paved the way for Agrippina's own son, the 17-year-old Lucius Domitius Nero.


  • Rome
    Tuesday Oct 13, 54
    Roman Empire

    Mad Nero

    Rome
    Tuesday Oct 13, 54

    Nero ruled from 54 to 68. During his rule, Nero focused much of his attention on diplomacy, trade, and increasing the cultural capital of the empire.


  • Rome
    Friday Jul 18, 64
    Roman Empire

    Great Fire of Rome

    Rome
    Friday Jul 18, 64

    He believed himself a god and decided to build an opulent palace for himself. The so-called Domus Aurea, meaning golden house in Latin, was constructed atop the burnt remains of Rome after the Great Fire of Rome (64). Nero was ultimately responsible for the fire. By this time Nero was hugely unpopular despite his attempts to blame the Christians for most of his regime's problems.


  • Rome
    Friday Jun 8, 68
    Roman Empire

    Servius Sulpicius Galba

    Rome
    Friday Jun 8, 68

    Servius Sulpicius Galba, born as Lucius Livius Ocella Sulpicius Galba, was a Roman emperor who ruled from AD 68 to 69. He was the first emperor in the Year of the Four Emperors and assumed the position following Emperor Nero's suicide. Galba's physical weakness and general apathy led to him being selected over by favorites. Unable to gain popularity with the people or maintain the support of the Praetorian Guard, Galba was murdered by Otho, who became emperor in his place.


  • Outside Rome
    Saturday Jun 9, 68
    Roman Empire

    Nero committed suicide

    Outside Rome
    Saturday Jun 9, 68

    A military coup drove Nero into hiding. Facing execution at the hands of the Roman Senate, he reportedly committed suicide in 68. According to Cassius Dio, Nero's last words were "Jupiter, what an artist perishes in me!".


  • Rome
    Tuesday Jan 15, 69
    Roman Empire

    Marcus Otho

    Rome
    Tuesday Jan 15, 69

    Marcus Otho was Roman emperor for three months, from 15 January to 16 April 69. He was the second emperor of the Year of the Four Emperors. Inheriting the problem of the rebellion of Vitellius, commander of the army in Germania Inferior, Otho led a sizeable force that met Vitellius' army at the Battle of Bedriacum. After initial fighting resulted in 40,000 casualties, and a retreat of his forces, Otho committed suicide rather than fight on, and Vitellius was proclaimed emperor.


  • Rome
    Friday Apr 19, 69
    Roman Empire

    Aulus Vitellius

    Rome
    Friday Apr 19, 69

    Aulus Vitellius was Roman Emperor for eight months, from 19 April to 20 December AD 69. Vitellius was proclaimed emperor following the quick succession of the previous emperors Galba and Otho, in a year of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. His claim to the throne was soon challenged by legions stationed in the eastern provinces, who proclaimed their commander Vespasian emperor instead. War ensued, leading to a crushing defeat for Vitellius at the Second Battle of Bedriacum in northern Italy. Once he realized his support was wavering, Vitellius prepared to abdicate in favor of Vespasian. He was not allowed to do so by his supporters, resulting in a brutal battle for Rome between Vitellius' forces and the armies of Vespasian. He was executed in Rome by Vespasian's soldiers on 20 December 69.


  • Rome
    Monday Jul 1, 69
    Roman Empire

    Vespasian

    Rome
    Monday Jul 1, 69

    As a result of the Second Battle of Bedriacum, Vespasian became the fourth and last emperor who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors, he founded the Flavian dynasty that ruled the Empire for 27 years.


  • Rome
    69
    Roman Empire

    Colosseum

    Rome
    69

    Vespasian began construction on the Colosseum.


  • Rome
    Saturday Jun 24, 79
    Roman Empire

    Titus Caesar Vespasianus

    Rome
    Saturday Jun 24, 79

    Titus, Vespasian's successor, quickly proved his merit, although his short reign was marked by disaster, including the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii. He held the opening ceremonies in the still unfinished Colosseum but died in 81.


  • Pompeii, Italy, Roman Empire
    79
    Roman Empire

    Mount Vesuvius erupted in Pompeii

    Pompeii, Italy, Roman Empire
    79

    Mount Vesuvius erupted in Pompeii.


  • Rome
    Sunday Sep 14, 81
    Roman Empire

    Domitian

    Rome
    Sunday Sep 14, 81

    Titus' brother Domitian succeeded him. Having exceedingly poor relations with the Senate, Domitian was murdered in September 96.


  • Rome
    Tuesday Sep 18, 96
    Roman Empire

    Nerva

    Rome
    Tuesday Sep 18, 96

    On 18 September 96, Domitian was assassinated in a palace conspiracy involving members of the Praetorian Guard and several of his freedmen. On the same day, Nerva was declared emperor by the Roman Senate. As the new ruler of the Roman Empire, he vowed to restore liberties that had been curtailed during the autocratic government of Domitian.


  • Rome
    97
    Roman Empire

    Nerva adopted Trajan

    Rome
    97

    Nerva's brief reign was marred by financial difficulties and his inability to assert his authority over the Roman army. A revolt by the Praetorian Guard in October 97 essentially forced him to adopt an heir. After some deliberation, Nerva adopted Trajan, a young and popular general, as his successor.


  • Gardens of Sallust, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Monday Jan 27, 98
    Roman Empire

    Nerva died

    Gardens of Sallust, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Monday Jan 27, 98

    After barely fifteen months in office, Nerva died of natural causes on 27 January 98. Upon his death, he was succeeded and deified by Trajan.


  • Rome
    105
    Roman Empire

    Trajan's Column

    Rome
    105

    The conquest of Dacia was a major accomplishment for Trajan, who ordered 123 days of celebration throughout the empire. He also constructed Trajan's Column in the middle of Trajan's Forum in Rome to glorify the victory.


  • Rome, Roman Empire
    113
    Libraries

    Ulpian Library

    Rome, Roman Empire
    113

    One of the best preserved was the ancient Ulpian Library built by the Emperor Trajan. Completed in 112/113 AD, the Ulpian Library was part of Trajan's Forum built on the Capitoline Hill. Trajan's Column separated the Greek and Latin rooms which faced each other. The structure was approximately fifty feet high with the peak of the roof reaching almost seventy feet.


  • Roman Empire
    117
    Roman Empire

    Trajan suppressed the Kitos War

    Roman Empire
    117

    Trajan suppressed the Kitos War, a Jewish uprising across the eastern provinces.


  • Roman Empire
    Wednesday Aug 11, 117
    Roman Empire

    Hadrian

    Roman Empire
    Wednesday Aug 11, 117

    Despite his own excellence as a military administrator, Hadrian's reign was marked more by the defense of the empire's vast territories, rather than major military conflicts.


  • Roman Empire
    117
    Roman Empire

    Four executions

    Roman Empire
    117

    Hadrian relieved Judea's governor, the outstanding Moorish general Lusius Quietus, of his personal guard of Moorish auxiliaries; then he moved on to quell disturbances along the Danube frontier. There was no public trial for the four – they were tried in absentia, hunted down, and killed. Hadrian claimed that Attianus had acted on his own initiative, and rewarded him with senatorial status and consular rank; then pensioned him off, no later than 120. Hadrian assured the senate that henceforth their ancient right to prosecute and judge their own would be respected. In Rome, Hadrian's former guardian and current Praetorian Prefect, Attianus, claimed to have uncovered a conspiracy involving Lusius Quietus and three other leading senators, Lucius Publilius Celsus, Aulus Cornelius Palma Frontonianus, and Gaius Avidius Nigrinus.


  • Roman Empire
    120
    Roman Empire

    Antoninus Pius obtained the consulship

    Roman Empire
    120

    Having filled the offices of quaestor and praetor with more than usual success, Antoninus Pius obtained the consulship in 120 having as his colleague Lucius Catilius Severus.


  • Roman Empire
    125
    Roman Empire

    Hadrian appointed Quintus Marcius Turbo as his Praetorian Prefect

    Roman Empire
    125

    Soon after, in 125, Hadrian appointed Quintus Marcius Turbo as his Praetorian Prefect. Turbo was his close friend, a leading figure of the equestrian order, a senior court judge, and a procurator.


  • Roman Empire
    Tuesday Feb 25, 138
    Roman Empire

    Antoninus Pius "adopted son"

    Roman Empire
    Tuesday Feb 25, 138

    Antoninus Pius acquired much favor with Hadrian, who adopted him as his son and successor on 25 February 138, after the death of his first adopted son Lucius Aelius, on the condition that Antoninus would, in turn, adopt Marcus Annius Verus, the son of his wife's brother, and Lucius, son of Lucius Aelius, who afterward became the emperors, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.


  • Roman Empire
    Friday Jul 11, 138
    Roman Empire

    Antoninus Pius

    Roman Empire
    Friday Jul 11, 138

    Antoninus Pius's reign was comparatively peaceful; there were several military disturbances throughout the Empire in his time, in Mauretania, Judaea, and amongst the Brigantes in Britain, but none of them are considered serious.


  • Roman Empire
    140
    Roman Empire

    Marcus Aurelius had already been created consul with Antoninus

    Roman Empire
    140

    Marcus Aurelius had already been created consul with Antoninus in 140, receiving the title of Caesar, i.e., heir apparent. As Antoninus aged, Marcus took on more administrative duties.


  • United Kingdom
    142
    Roman Empire

    Construction began of Antonine Wall

    United Kingdom
    142

    It was however in Britain that Antoninus decided to follow a new, more aggressive path, with the appointment of a new governor in 139, Quintus Lollius Urbicus, a native of Numidia and previously governor of Germania Inferior as well as a new man. Under instructions from the emperor, Lollius undertook an invasion of southern Scotland, winning some significant victories, and constructing the Antonine Wall from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde. The wall, however, was soon gradually decommissioned during the mid-150s and eventually abandoned late during the reign (early 160s), for reasons that are still not quite clear.


  • Lorium, Etruria, Italy, Roman Empire
    Saturday Mar 7, 161
    Roman Empire

    Antoninus Pius died

    Lorium, Etruria, Italy, Roman Empire
    Saturday Mar 7, 161

    Antoninus was already ill; he died on 7 March.


  • Rome
    Saturday Mar 7, 161
    Roman Empire

    Marcus Aurelius

    Rome
    Saturday Mar 7, 161

    Marcus was effectively the sole ruler of the Empire. The formalities of the position would follow. The senate would soon grant him the name Augustus and the title imperator, and he would soon be formally elected as Pontifex Maximus, chief priest of the official cults. Marcus made some show of resistance: the biographer writes that he was 'compelled' to take imperial power.


  • Roman Empire
    161
    Roman Empire

    Lucius Verus was consul again with Marcus Aurelius

    Roman Empire
    161

    Verus started his political career as a quaestor in 153, became consul in 154, and in 161 was consul again with Marcus Aurelius as his senior partner.


  • Roman Empire
    2nd Century
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    Antonine Plague

    Roman Empire
    2nd Century

    The Antonine Plague of 165 to 180 AD, also known as the Plague of Galen (from the name of the Greek physician living in the Roman Empire who described it), was an ancient pandemic brought back to the Roman Empire by troops returning from campaigns in the Near East. The disease broke out again nine years later, according to the Roman historian Dio Cassius (155–235), causing up to 2,000 deaths a day in Rome, one quarter of those who were affected, giving the disease a mortality rate of about 25%. The total deaths have been estimated at five million, and the disease killed as much as one-third of the population in some areas and devastated the Roman army.


  • Altinum, Italy, Roman Empire
    169
    Roman Empire

    Lucius Verus died

    Altinum, Italy, Roman Empire
    169

    In the spring of 168 war broke out on the Danubian border when the Marcomanni invaded the Roman territory. This war would last until 180, but Verus did not see the end of it. In 168, as Verus and Marcus Aurelius returned to Rome from the field, Verus fell ill with symptoms attributed to food poisoning, dying after a few days (169).


  • Roman Empire
    179
    Roman Empire

    Meditations

    Roman Empire
    179

    In the last years of his life Marcus, a philosopher as well as an emperor, wrote his book of Stoic philosophy known as the Meditations. The book has since been hailed as Marcus' great contribution to philosophy.


  • Rome, Roman Empire
    182
    Roman Empire

    Assassination attempt (Commodus)

    Rome, Roman Empire
    182

    The first crisis of the reign came in 182 when Lucilla engineered a conspiracy against her brother. Her motive is alleged to have been the envy of Empress Crispina. Her husband, Pompeianus, was not involved, but two men alleged to have been her lovers, Marcus Ummidius Quadratus Annianus (the consul of 167, who was also her first cousin) and Appius Claudius Quintianus, attempted to murder Commodus as he entered a theater. They bungled the job and were seized by the emperor's bodyguard.


  • Rome, Roman Empire
    Monday Dec 31, 192
    Roman Empire

    Commodus died

    Rome, Roman Empire
    Monday Dec 31, 192

    On 31 December, Marcia poisoned Commodus' food, but he vomited up the poison, so the conspirators sent his wrestling partner Narcissus to strangle him in his bath.


  • Rome, Roman Empire
    Thursday Mar 28, 193
    Roman Empire

    Pertinax died

    Rome, Roman Empire
    Thursday Mar 28, 193

    On 28 March 193, Pertinax was at his palace when a contingent of some three hundred soldiers of the Praetorian Guard rushed the gates (two hundred according to Cassius Dio). Sources suggest that they had received only half their promised pay. Neither the guards on duty nor the palace officials chose to resist them. Pertinax sent Laetus to meet them, but he chose to side with the insurgents instead and deserted the emperor.


  • Rome
    193
    Roman Empire

    Throne was to be sold

    Rome
    193

    After the murder of Pertinax on 28 March 193, the Praetorian guard announced that the throne was to be sold to the man who would pay the highest price. Titus Flavius Claudius Sulpicianus, prefect of Rome and Pertinax's father-in-law, who was in the Praetorian camp ostensibly to calm the troops, began making offers for the throne. Meanwhile, Julianus also arrived at the camp, and since his entrance was barred, shouted out offers to the guard. After hours of bidding, Sulpicianus promised 20,000 sesterces to every soldier; Julianus, fearing that Sulpicianus would gain the throne, then offered 25,000. The guards closed with the offer of Julianus, threw open the gates, and proclaimed him emperor. Threatened by the military, the senate also declared him emperor. His wife and his daughter both received the title Augusta.


  • Rome
    Thursday Mar 28, 193
    Roman Empire

    Didius Julianus

    Rome
    Thursday Mar 28, 193

    Because Julianus bought his position rather than acquiring it conventionally through succession or conquest, he was a deeply unpopular emperor. When Julianus appeared in public, he frequently was greeted with groans and shouts of "robber and parricide." Once, a mob even obstructed his progress to the Capitol by pelting him with large stones.


  • Rome
    Sunday Jun 2, 193
    Roman Empire

    Julianus was sentenced to death

    Rome
    Sunday Jun 2, 193

    Julianus was sentenced to death.


  • Rome
    Tuesday Dec 17, 211
    Roman Empire

    Caracalla tried unsuccessfully to murder Geta

    Rome
    Tuesday Dec 17, 211

    The current stability of their joint government was only through the mediation and leadership of their mother, Julia Domna, accompanied by other senior courtiers and generals in the military. The historian Herodian asserted that the brothers decided to split the empire into two halves, but with the strong opposition of their mother, the idea was rejected, when, by the end of 211, the situation had become unbearable. Caracalla tried unsuccessfully to murder Geta during the festival of Saturnalia (17 December).


  • Rome
    Thursday Dec 26, 211
    Roman Empire

    Caracalla murdered Geta

    Rome
    Thursday Dec 26, 211

    Finally, the next week, Caracalla had his mother arrange a peace meeting with his brother in his mother's apartments, thus depriving Geta of his bodyguards, and then had him murdered in her arms by centurions.


  • Rome
    Friday Apr 11, 217
    Roman Empire

    Macrinus was declared augustus

    Rome
    Friday Apr 11, 217

    On April 8, 217, Caracalla was assassinated traveling to Carrhae. Three days later, Macrinus was declared Augustus. Diadumenian was the son of Macrinus, born in 208. He was given the title Caesar in 217, when his father became augustus, and raised to co-Augustus the following year.


  • Rome
    Wednesday Mar 6, 222
    Roman Empire

    A romur

    Rome
    Wednesday Mar 6, 222

    Alexander Severus was adopted as son and caesar by his slightly older and very unpopular cousin, the emperor Elagabalus at the urging of the influential and powerful Julia Maesa — who was the grandmother of both cousins and who had arranged for the emperor's acclamation by the Third Legion. On March 6, 222, when Alexander was just fourteen, a rumor went around the city troops that Alexander had been killed, triggering a revolt of the guards that had sworn his safety from Elegabalus and his accession as emperor.


  • Rome
    Wednesday Mar 13, 222
    Roman Empire

    Severus Alexander

    Rome
    Wednesday Mar 13, 222

    The running of the Empire during this time was mainly left to his grandmother and mother (Julia Soaemias). Seeing that her grandson's outrageous behavior could mean the loss of power, Julia Maesa persuaded Elagabalus to accept his cousin Alexander Severus as caesar (and thus the nominal emperor-to-be). However, Alexander was popular with the troops, who viewed their new emperor with dislike: when Elagabalus, jealous of this popularity, removed the title of caesar from his nephew, the enraged Praetorian Guard swore to protect him. Elagabalus and his mother were murdered in a Praetorian Guard camp mutiny.


  • Terni, Italy
    226
    Valentine's Day

    Saint Valentin's birth

    Terni, Italy
    226

    Saint Valentine of terni is said to be a bishop whom preformed secret marriges to christian couples against the empreor orders which spared men from joining the army.


  • Rome, Italy
    3rd Century
    Valentine's Day

    The legend of Saint Valentine

    Rome, Italy
    3rd Century

    Another legend is that Valentine refused to sacrifice to pagan gods. Being imprisoned for this, Valentine gave his testimony in prison and through his prayers healed the jailer's daughter who was suffering from blindness. On the day of his execution, he left her a note that was signed, "Your Valentine". there are two possible figures behind the character of Saint Valentine Saint Valantine of Rome and Saint Valentine of Terni.


  • Rome
    Sunday Mar 22, 235
    Roman Empire

    Maximinus Thrax

    Rome
    Sunday Mar 22, 235

    The emperor at the beginning of the year was Maximinus Thrax, who had ruled since 235. Later sources claim he was a cruel tyrant, and in January of 238, a revolt erupted in North Africa.


  • Roman Empire
    3rd Century
    Byzantine Empire

    Crisis of the Third Century

    Roman Empire
    3rd Century

    The Roman army succeeded in conquering many territories covering the Mediterranean region and coastal regions in southwestern Europe and North Africa. These territories were home to many different cultural groups, both urban populations, and rural populations. The West also suffered more heavily from the instability of the 3rd century. This distinction between the established Hellenised East and the younger Latinised West persisted and became increasingly important in later centuries, leading to a gradual estrangement of the two worlds.


  • Rome
    Mar, 238
    Roman Empire

    Gordian I proclaim himself emperor

    Rome
    Mar, 238

    Some young aristocrats in Africa murdered the imperial tax-collector then approached the regional governor, Gordian, and insisted that he proclaim himself emperor. Gordian agreed reluctantly, but as he was almost 80 years old, he decided to make his son joint emperor, with equal power. The Senate recognized father and son as emperors Gordian I and Gordian II, respectively. Their reign, however, lasted for only 20 days. Capelianus, the governor of the neighboring province of Numidia, held a grudge against the Gordians. He led an army to fight them and defeated them decisively at Carthage. Gordian II was killed in the battle, and on hearing this news, Gordian I hanged himself. Gordian I and II were deified by the senate.


  • Rome
    Sunday Apr 22, 238
    Roman Empire

    Pupienus and Balbinus joint emperors

    Rome
    Sunday Apr 22, 238

    Meanwhile, Maximinus, now declared a public enemy, had already begun to march on Rome with another army. The senate's previous candidates, the Gordians, had failed to defeat him, and knowing that they stood to die if he succeeded, the senate needed a new emperor to defeat him. With no other candidates in view, on 22 April 238, they elected two elderly senators, Pupienus and Balbinus (who had both been part of a special senatorial commission to deal with Maximinus), as joint emperors. Therefore, Marcus Antonius Gordianus Pius, the thirteen-year-old grandson of Gordian I, was nominated as emperor Gordian III, holding power only nominally in order to appease the population of the capital, which was still loyal to the Gordian family.


  • Aquileia, Italy, Roman Empire
    Thursday May 10, 238
    Roman Empire

    Maximinus Thrax died

    Aquileia, Italy, Roman Empire
    Thursday May 10, 238

    In May 238, soldiers of the II Parthica in his camp assassinated him, his son, and his chief ministers. Their heads were cut off, placed on poles, and carried to Rome by cavalrymen.


  • Rome
    Sunday Jul 29, 238
    Roman Empire

    Gordian III was proclaimed sole emperor

    Rome
    Sunday Jul 29, 238

    The situation for Pupienus and Balbinus, despite Maximinus' death, was doomed from the start with popular riots, military discontent and enormous fire that consumed Rome in June 238. On July 29, Pupienus and Balbinus were killed by the Praetorian Guard and Gordian was proclaimed sole emperor.


  • Rome
    Feb, 244
    Roman Empire

    Philip the Arab

    Rome
    Feb, 244

    In an attempt to shore up his regime, Philip put a great deal of effort into maintaining good relations with the Senate, and from the beginning of his reign, he reaffirmed the old Roman virtues and traditions.


  • Verona, Italy, Roman Empire
    Sep, 249
    Roman Empire

    Philip was killed

    Verona, Italy, Roman Empire
    Sep, 249

    Although Decius tried to come to terms with Philip, Philip's army met the usurper near modern Verona that summer. Decius easily won the battle and Philip was killed sometime in September 249, either in the fighting or assassinated by his own soldiers who were eager to please the new ruler. Philip's eleven-year-old son and heir may have been killed with his father and Priscus disappeared without a trace.


  • Italy
    250
    Plague

    Plague of Cyprian

    Italy
    250

    Plague of Cyprian breaks out in Rome. It is estimated to kill about 5000 people a day.


  • Rome
    Jun, 251
    Roman Empire

    Trebonianus Gallus

    Rome
    Jun, 251

    In June 251, Decius and his co-emperor and son Herennius Etruscus died in the Battle of Abrittus at the hands of the Goths they were supposed to punish for raids into the empire. According to rumors supported by Dexippus (a contemporary Greek historian) and the thirteenth Sibylline Oracle, Decius' failure was largely owing to Gallus, who had conspired with the invaders. In any case, when the army heard the news, the soldiers proclaimed Gallus emperor, despite Hostilian, Decius' surviving son, ascending the imperial throne in Rome. This action of the army, and the fact that Gallus seems to have been on good terms with Decius' family, makes Dexippus' allegation improbable. Gallus did not back down from his intention to become emperor, but accepted Hostilian as co-emperor, perhaps to avoid the damage of another civil war.


  • Interamna (Present-Day Terni, Italy)
    Aug, 253
    Roman Empire

    Gallus was killed

    Interamna (Present-Day Terni, Italy)
    Aug, 253

    Since the army was no longer pleased with the Emperor, the soldiers proclaimed Aemilianus emperor. With a usurper, supported by Pauloctus, threatening the throne, Gallus prepared for a fight. He recalled several legions and ordered reinforcements to return to Rome from Gaul under the command of the future emperor Publius Licinius Valerianus. Despite these dispositions, Aemilianus marched onto Italy ready to fight for his claim and caught Gallus at Interamna (modern Terni) before the arrival of Valerianus. What exactly happened is not clear. Later sources claim that after an initial defeat, Gallus and Volusianus were murdered by their own troops; or Gallus did not have the chance to face Aemilianus at all because his army went over to the usurper. In any case, both Gallus and Volusianus were killed in August 253.


  • Rome
    253
    Roman Empire

    Marcus Aemilius Aemilianus "Aemilian"

    Rome
    253

    Aemilian continued towards Rome. The Roman senate, after a short opposition, decided to recognize him as emperor. According to some sources, Aemilian then wrote to the Senate, promising to fight for the Empire in Thrace and against Persia and to relinquish his power to the Senate, of which he considered himself a general.


  • Spoletium, Italy, Roman Empire
    Sep, 253
    Roman Empire

    Aemilian died

    Spoletium, Italy, Roman Empire
    Sep, 253

    Valerian, governor of the Rhine provinces, was on his way south with an army which, according to Zosimus, had been called in as reinforcement by Gallus. But modern historians believe this army, possibly mobilized for an incumbent campaign in the East, moved only after Gallus' death to support Valerian's bid for power. Emperor Aemilian's men, fearful of civil war and Valerian's larger force, mutinied. They killed Aemilian at Spoletium or at the Sanguinarium bridge, between Oriculum and Narnia (halfway between Spoletium and Rome), and recognized Valerian as the new emperor.


  • Rome
    Saturday Oct 22, 253
    Roman Empire

    Valerian's first act as emperor

    Rome
    Saturday Oct 22, 253

    Valerian's first act as emperor on October 22, 253, was to appoint his son Gallienus caesar. Early in his reign, affairs in Europe went from bad to worse, and the whole West fell into disorder. In the East, Antioch had fallen into the hands of a Sassanid vassal and Armenia was occupied by Shapur I (Sapor).


  • Mediolanum (Present-Day Milan, Italy)
    268
    Roman Empire

    Gallienus was challenged by Aureolus

    Mediolanum (Present-Day Milan, Italy)
    268

    In 268, at some time before or soon after the battle of Naissus, the authority of Gallienus was challenged by Aureolus, commander of the cavalry stationed in Mediolanum (Milan), who was supposed to keep an eye on Postumus. Instead, he acted as deputy to Postumus until the very last days of his revolt, when he seems to have claimed the throne for himself. The decisive battle took place at what is now Pontirolo Nuovo near Milan; Aureolus was clearly defeated and driven back to Milan. Gallienus laid siege to the city but was murdered during the siege. There are differing accounts of the murder, but the sources agree that most of Gallienus' officials wanted him dead.


  • Mediolanum (Present-Day Milan, Italy)
    Sep, 268
    Roman Empire

    Gallienus died

    Mediolanum (Present-Day Milan, Italy)
    Sep, 268

    Cecropius, commander of the Dalmatians, spread the word that the forces of Aureolus were leaving the city, and Gallienus left his tent without his bodyguard, only to be struck down by Cecropius. According to Aurelius Victor and Zonaras, on hearing the news that Gallienus was dead, the Senate in Rome ordered the execution of his family (including his brother Valerianus and son Marinianus) and their supporters, just before receiving a message from Claudius to spare their lives and deify his predecessor.


  • Rome
    Sep, 268
    Roman Empire

    Claudius Gothicus was chosen by the army

    Rome
    Sep, 268

    Whichever story is true, Gallienus was killed in the summer of 268, and Claudius was chosen by the army outside of Milan to succeed him. Accounts tell of people hearing the news of the new emperor and reacting by murdering Gallienus' family members until Claudius declared he would respect the memory of his predecessor. Claudius had the deceased emperor deified and buried in a family tomb on the Appian Way. The traitor Aureolus was not treated with the same reverence, as he was killed by his besiegers after a failed attempt to surrender.


  • Rome, Italy
    Tuesday Feb 16, 269
    Valentine's Day

    Saint Valentine's death

    Rome, Italy
    Tuesday Feb 16, 269

    Saint Valentine was martyred by emperor Claudius II Gothicus and was buried in via falminia.


  • Rome
    270
    Roman Empire

    Quintillus

    Rome
    270

    Quintillus was declared emperor either by the Senate or by his brother's soldiers upon the latter's death in 270. Eutropius reports Quintillus to have been elected by soldiers of the Roman army immediately following the death of his brother; the choice was reportedly approved by the Roman Senate.


  • Aquileia, Italy, Roman Empire
    270
    Roman Empire

    Quintillus death

    Aquileia, Italy, Roman Empire
    270

    The few records of Quintillus' reign are contradictory. They disagree on the length of his reign, variously reported to have lasted as few as 17 days and as many as 177 days (about six months). Records also disagree on the cause of his death.


  • Northern Italy
    270
    Roman Empire

    Aurelian campaigned in northern Italia

    Northern Italy
    270

    The first actions of the new Emperor were aimed at strengthening his own position in his territories. Late in 270, Aurelian campaigned in northern Italia against the Vandals, Juthungi, and Sarmatians, expelling them from Roman territory. To celebrate these victories, Aurelian was granted the title of Germanicus Maximus.


  • Roman Empire
    272
    Roman Empire

    Aurelian turned his attention to the lost eastern provinces of the empire

    Roman Empire
    272

    In 272, Aurelian turned his attention to the lost eastern provinces of the empire, the Palmyrene Empire, ruled by Queen Zenobia from the city of Palmyra. Zenobia had carved out her own empire, encompassing Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and large parts of Asia Minor. The Syrian queen cut off Rome's shipments of grain, and in a matter of weeks, the Romans started running low on bread. In the beginning, Aurelian had been recognized as Emperor, while Vaballathus, the son of Zenobia, held the title of rex and imperator ("king" and "supreme military commander"), but Aurelian decided to invade the eastern provinces as soon as he felt his army to be strong enough.


  • Rome
    272
    Roman Empire

    Aurelian is believed to have terminated Trajan's alimenta program

    Rome
    272

    Aurelian is believed to have terminated Trajan's alimenta program. Roman prefect Titus Flavius Postumius Quietus was the last known official in charge of the alimenta, in 272 AD. If Aurelian "did suppress this food distribution system, he most likely intended to put into effect a more radical reform."


  • Rome
    274
    Roman Empire

    Aurelian turned his attention to the west and the Gallic Empire

    Rome
    274

    In 274, the victorious emperor turned his attention to the west and the Gallic Empire which had already been reduced in size by Claudius II. Aurelian won this campaign largely through diplomacy; the "Gallic Emperor" Tetricus was willing to abandon his throne and allow Gaul and Britain to return to the Empire, but could not openly submit to Aurelian. Instead, the two seem to have conspired so that when the armies met at Châlons-en-Champagne that autumn, Tetricus simply deserted to the Roman camp and Aurelian easily defeated the Gallic army facing him. Tetricus was rewarded for his part in the conspiracy with a high-ranking position in Italy itself.


  • Rome
    Friday Dec 25, 274
    Roman Empire

    Temple of the Sun

    Rome
    Friday Dec 25, 274

    Aurelian strengthened the position of the Sun god Sol Invictus as the main divinity of the Roman pantheon. His intention was to give to all the peoples of the Empire, civilians or soldiers, easterners or westerners, a single god they could believe in without betraying their own gods. The centre of the cult was a new temple, built in 274 and dedicated on December 25 of that year in the Campus Agrippae in Rome, with great decorations financed by the spoils of the Palmyrene Empire.


  • Roman Empire
    275
    Roman Empire

    Aurelian set out for another campaign against the Sassanids

    Roman Empire
    275

    The deaths of the Sassanid Kings Shapur I (272) and Hormizd I (273) in quick succession, and the rise to power of a weakened ruler (Bahram I), presented an opportunity to attack the Sassanid Empire, and in 275 Aurelian set out for another campaign against the Sassanids. On his way, he suppressed a revolt in Gaul—possibly against Faustinus, an officer or usurper of Tetricus—and defeated barbarian marauders in Vindelicia (Germany).


  • Roman Empire
    Saturday Sep 25, 275
    Roman Empire

    Tacitus

    Roman Empire
    Saturday Sep 25, 275

    Tacitus, after ascertaining the sincerity of the Senate's regard for him, accepted their nomination on 25 September 275, and the choice was cordially ratified by the army. This was the last time the Senate elected a Roman Emperor.


  • Roman Empire
    270s
    Roman Empire

    Aurelian had secured the frontiers of the Empire and reunified it

    Roman Empire
    270s

    Aurelian had secured the frontiers of the Empire and reunified it, effectively giving the Empire a new lease on life that would last 200 years.


  • Roman Empire
    Jul, 276
    Roman Empire

    Florian

    Roman Empire
    Jul, 276

    After Tacitus died suddenly in July 276, allegedly as a consequence of a military plot, Florian swiftly proclaimed himself emperor and was recognized as such by the Roman Senate, and the western provinces.


  • Rome
    276
    Roman Empire

    Probus

    Rome
    276

    Florian, the half-brother of Tacitus, also proclaimed himself emperor, and took control of Tacitus' army in Asia Minor, but was killed by his own soldiers after an indecisive campaign against Probus in the mountains of Cilicia. In contrast to Florian, who ignored the wishes of the senate, Probus referred his claim to Rome in a respectful dispatch. The senate enthusiastically ratified his pretensions.


  • Rome
    280s
    Roman Empire

    Time of peace

    Rome
    280s

    The army discipline which Aurelian had repaired was cultivated and extended under Probus, who was however more shy in the practice of cruelty. One of his principles was never to allow the soldiers to be idle, and to employ them in time of peace on useful works, such as the planting of vineyards in Gaul, Pannonia, and other districts, in order to restart the economy in these devastated lands.


  • Roman Empire
    283
    Roman Empire

    Marcus Aurelius Carinus

    Roman Empire
    283

    After the death of Emperor Probus in a spontaneous mutiny of the army in 282, his praetorian prefect, Carus, ascended to the throne. The latter, upon his departure for the Persian war, elevated his two sons to the title of Caesar. Carinus, the elder, was left to handle the affairs of the west in his absence, while the younger, Numerian, accompanied his father to the east.


  • Roman Empire
    285
    Roman Empire

    Diocletian

    Roman Empire
    285

    Diocletian may have become involved in battles against the Quadi and Marcomanni immediately after the Battle of the Margus. He eventually made his way to northern Italy and made an imperial government, but it is not known whether he visited the city of Rome at this time.


  • Mediolanum (Present-Day Milan, Italy)
    Thursday Jul 30, 285
    Roman Empire

    Diocletian raised his fellow-officer Maximian to a co-emperor

    Mediolanum (Present-Day Milan, Italy)
    Thursday Jul 30, 285

    Conflict boiled in every province, from Gaul to Syria, Egypt to the lower Danube. It was too much for one person to control, and Diocletian needed a lieutenant. At some time in 285 at Mediolanum (Milan), Diocletian raised his fellow-officer Maximian to the office of caesar, making him co-emperor.


  • Roman Empire
    Thursday Apr 1, 286
    Roman Empire

    Maximian took up the title of Augustus

    Roman Empire
    Thursday Apr 1, 286

    Spurred by the crisis, on 1 April 286, Maximian took up the title of Augustus. His appointment is unusual in that it was impossible for Diocletian to have been present to witness the event. It has even been suggested that Maximian usurped the title and was only later recognized by Diocletian in hopes of avoiding civil war.


  • Milan, Italy
    Dec, 290
    Roman Empire

    Diocletian met Maximian in Milan

    Milan, Italy
    Dec, 290

    Diocletian met Maximian in Milan in the winter of 290–91, either in late December 290 or January 291. The meeting was undertaken with a sense of solemn pageantry. The emperors spent most of their time in public appearances. It has been surmised that the ceremonies were arranged to demonstrate Diocletian's continuing support for his faltering colleague.


  • Milan, Italy
    Wednesday Mar 1, 293
    Roman Empire

    Maximian gave Constantius the office of caesar

    Milan, Italy
    Wednesday Mar 1, 293

    Sometime after his return, and before 293, Diocletian transferred command of the war against Carausius from Maximian to Flavius Constantius, a former Governor of Dalmatia and a man of military experience stretching back to Aurelian's campaigns against Zenobia (272–73). He was Maximian's praetorian prefect in Gaul, and the husband to Maximian's daughter, Theodora. On 1 March 293 at Milan, Maximian gave Constantius the office of caesar.


  • Roman Empire
    293
    Byzantine Empire

    The Tetrarchy systems

    Roman Empire
    293

    An early instance of the partition of the Empire into East and West occurred in 293 when Emperor Diocletian created a new administrative system (the tetrarchy), to guarantee security in all endangered regions of his Empire. He associated himself with a co-emperor (Augustus), and each co-emperor then adopted a young colleague given the title of Caesar, to share in their rule and eventually to succeed the senior partner. Each tetrarch was in charge of a part of the Empire.


  • Roman Empire
    305
    Roman Empire

    Ignored Augustus

    Roman Empire
    305

    Constantius succeeded Maximian as Augustus of the West, but Constantine and Maxentius were entirely ignored in the transition of power. This did not bode well for the future security of the tetrarchic system.


  • Roman Empire
    Wednesday Nov 11, 308
    Roman Empire

    Galerius appoint Licinius to be Augustus in place of Severus

    Roman Empire
    Wednesday Nov 11, 308

    Galerius assumed the consular fasces in 308 with Diocletian as his colleague. In the autumn of 308, Galerius again conferred with Diocletian at Carnuntum (Petronell-Carnuntum, Austria). Diocletian and Maximian were both present on 11 November 308, to see Galerius appoint Licinius to be Augustus in place of Severus, who had died at the hands of Maxentius.


  • Mediolanum, Roman Empire (Present-Day Milan, Italy)
    Mar, 313
    Roman Empire

    Licinius married Flavia Julia Constantia

    Mediolanum, Roman Empire (Present-Day Milan, Italy)
    Mar, 313

    So in March 313, Licinius married Flavia Julia Constantia, half-sister of Constantine I, at Mediolanum (now Milan); they had a son, Licinius the Younger, in 315.


  • Mediolanum, Roman Empire (Present-Day Milan, Italy)
    313
    Roman Empire

    Edict of Milan

    Mediolanum, Roman Empire (Present-Day Milan, Italy)
    313

    The Edict of Milan was the February AD 313 agreement to treat Christians benevolently within the Roman Empire. Western Roman Emperor Constantine I and Emperor Licinius, who controlled the Balkans, met in Mediolanum (modern-day Milan) and, among other things, agreed to change policies towards Christians following the edict of toleration issued by Emperor Galerius two years earlier in Serdica. The Edict of Milan gave Christianity legal status and a reprieve from persecution but did not make it the state church of the Roman Empire. That occurred in AD 380 with the Edict of Thessalonica.


  • Rome, Roman Empire
    313
    Byzantine Empire

    Sole Augustus

    Rome, Roman Empire
    313

    The tetrarchy collapsed, however, in 313 and a few years later Constantine I reunited the two administrative divisions of the Empire as sole Augustus.


  • Roman Empire
    313
    Roman Empire

    Tetrarchy was replaced by a system of two emperors

    Roman Empire
    313

    Given that Constantine had already crushed his rival Maxentius in 312, the two men decided to divide the Roman world between them. As a result of this settlement, the Tetrarchy was replaced by a system of two emperors, called Augusti: Licinius became Augustus of the East, while his brother-in-law, Constantine, became Augustus of the West. After making the pact, Licinius rushed immediately to the East to deal with another threat, an invasion by the Persian Sassanid Empire.


  • Eastern Roman EmpireI "Italy"
    395
    Huns

    Huns attack on the Eastern Roman Empire

    Eastern Roman EmpireI "Italy"
    395

    In 395 the Huns began their first large-scale attack on the Eastern Roman Empire.


<