The Annunciation of the coming birth of Jesus Christ. c. 1 BC
Birth of John the Baptist. c. 1 BC
Probable year of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ at Bethlehem in what was then
Roman Palestine. c. 1 BC
The Circumcision of Christ eight days after his birth in accordance with Jewish law. c. 1 BC
Presentation of Jesus in the temple forty days after his birth in accordance with Jewish law. c.1 BC
The Visit of the Magi. c. 1 BC
The Flight into Egypt. c. 1 BC
The Massacre of the Innocents. c. 1 BC Herod “the Great” orders all of the male children age two and under to be killed.
Death of Herod “the Great”. c. 1 BC
Herod dies in great agony from a loathsome disease, which drove him to try to kill himself.
Herod Antipas, the son of Herod “the Great”, rules outside Judaea, in Peraea and Galilee. 1 BC-39 AD
Philip, a Herodian, rules in the northeastern areas. 1 BC-34 AD
Development of Gothic kingdom on the lower Vistula River (located in modern day Poland). c. 1 BC
Beginning of the Christian Era. 1 AD
Augustus Gaius Caesar (63 BC-14 AD) meets with Phraates V, the King of Parthia, on the Euphrates River.
Gaius Caesar concludes a peace with him. 2 AD
“Aqua Alsietina”. Roman aqueduct is built. c. 3 AD
The rule of Emperor Augustus is renewed for a ten year period. 3 AD
Joseph and Mary return from Egypt with Jesus Christ and take up residence in Nazareth. c. 4 AD
Second command of the Roman general Tiberius in Germany. 4-6 AD
Phraataces, King of Parthia, is killed. 4 AD
The crown is offered to Orodes III, King of Parthia.
Nicolaus of Damascus. Greek historian and philosopher.
“History of The World”. 15 volumes. 4 AD “Historia Universalis”. (“Universal History”). 144 volumes. Completed.
Cunobelinus (Cymbeline), king of the Catuvellauni, is recognized by the Romans as “Rex
Brittonum”, a king of Britain. 5 AD
Cymbeline reigns in Britain (5-40 AD).
Lombard tribes on the lower Elbe are defeated by Roman legions. 5 AD
Emperor Gaius Augustus.
Tired of Herodian misrule, establishes a procuratorship in Judaea. 6 AD
The Romans depose Herod Archaelaus.
Judea becomes a Roman Province.
Romans appoint a Procurator to govern Judea.
The Jewish Sanhedrin and the high priest are partially independent.
Oponius is the first Procurator of Judaea. 6-9 AD
Germanicus is sent into Germany. 7 AD
Vonones I becomes king of the Parthian Empire. 8 AD
Roman general Tiberius suppresses revolts against Roman rule in Dalmatia and Pannonia. 9 AD
Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. 9 AD
The destruction of three Roman legions under Publius Quintilius Varus
during a German revolt of the Germanic tribe the Cherusci lead by Arminius in the Teutoburg Forest.
Roman Province of Pannonia is established. 9 AD Secures the Danube frontier.
Marcus Ambivulus is the second Procurator of Judaea. 9-12 AD
Artabanus II becomes ruler of Parthia. 11 AD
Germanicus.
Secures Germania Inferior (lower) and the Rhine. 11 AD
Overthrow of the Artaxiad Dynasty in Armenia by the Romans. 12 AD
Jesus Christ, age 12, is at the Temple of Jerusalem questioning the priests and the rabbis
during the feast of the Passover. 12 AD
Annius Rufus is appointed the third Procurator of the Roman province of Judaea. 12 AD Annius Rufus is Procurator 12-15 AD.
Thaddeus of Florence.
“De virtutibus aquae vitae”. c. 12 AD
(“On the Virtues of Alcohol”).
Describes the medical uses of alcohol.
Abgarus of Edessa is reinstalled as king of Osroene, also known as the kingdom of Edessa. 13 AD
Death of Augustus Caesar (63 BC-14 AD) at Nola (age 76). 14 AD
End of the reign of Augustus.
Tiberius (Claudius Nero), step-son of Augustus, becomes Roman Emperor.
Reign of Roman Emperor Tiberius. 14-37 AD
Statue of Augustus. ca. 14-27 AD
Emperor wearing breastplate with allegorical and historical reliefs.
Pont du Gard, near Nîmes is built. c. 14 AD
Greatest of all Roman aqueducts carries water along the top tier
of arches about 180 feet above the river.
Germanicus Caesar puts down revolt by the Pannonian legions. 14 AD
Three expeditions of Germanicus against the Germans. 14-16 AD
Near the mouths of the lower Rhine River, defeating Arminius.
Valerius Gratus is the fourth Procurator (prefect) of the Roman province of Judaea since its conquest
by Pompey.
Valerius Gratus rules Judaea. 15-26 AD
Germanicus launches a two pronged attack from Vetera and Moguntiacum.
On his return he visits the battlefield of the Teutoburg Forest. 15 AD
Germanicus arranges for the burial of the remains of the army of Varus.
Germanicus, commanding a Roman army of 50,000 men, gains a
great victory at Idistaviso. Germanicus defeats the German leader, Arminius. 16 AD
Germanicus defeats the Germans at the Amasius river estuary and
the Weser. 16 AD
Germanicus Caesar claims Germania for Rome. 16 AD
Emperor Tiberius orders Germanicus Caesar to return to Rome. 17 AD
Germanicus returns to Rome.
Rome celebrates his victories over the Cherusci, the Chatti, and other Germanic barbarian tribes
west of the Elbe River. May 26, 17 AD
Emperor Tiberius.
Sends his nephew Germanicus to Armenia to supervise the installation of a new king and to
lead a military campaign against Parthia. 17 AD
Cappadocia (Asia Minor) becomes a Roman Province. 17 AD
Sejanus becomes Prefect of the Praetorian Guard. 17 AD
Josephus Caiaphas is made high priest (18-36) of the Jews in Jerusalem.
He is appointed by the Romans. 18 AD
Death of Germanicus Caesar in Syria. He was probably poisoned. 19 AD
The Romans suppress a revolt against Roman rule among the Gallic
tribes, the Treveri and the Aedui. 21 AD
Impact of the Prefect of the Praetorian Guard, Sejanus, who moves the guard to a camp on the
outskirts of Rome. His accusations lead to major public trials, executions, and suicides. 22-31 AD
Lucius Aelius Sejanus reputedly poisons Tiberius’ son Drusus hoping to become emperor. 23 AD
Strabo (64 BC-24 AD). Greek historian and philosopher.
“Geographia” (Gr: “Geographica”). c. 23 AD
Attempts to collect all known knowledge pertaining to Geography.
Seventeen volumes.
End of the Roman war with Numidia and Mauretania.
Both territories are annexed by the Romans. 24 AD
Pontius Pilate is appointed the fifth Procurator of the Roman province of Judaea since its conquest
by Pompey. 26 AD
Pontius Pilate rules Judaea 26-36 AD.
Lucius Aelius Sejanus persuades Tiberius to retire to Capreae (Capri).
Rome is left under the control of Sejanus, Prefect of the Praetorian Guard. Tiberius still continues
however, to govern in absence. 26 AD
The Romans crush an uprising of Thracian tribesmen. 26 AD
The Jewish prophet John the Baptist begins teaching and preaching. c. 27 AD
An Arch of Triumph is erected at Rimini in honor of the former Roman Emperor Augustus. 27 AD
The Baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist. c. 30 AD
The three temptations of Jesus Christ while he is forty days in the desert. c. 30 AD
Annunciation of the Kingdom of God by the Lord Jesus Christ. 30 AD
Aulus Cornelius Celsus. Roman medical writer.
“De Re Medica” (“On Medical Matters”). c. 30 AD
Murder of the Jewish Prophet John the Baptist during the reign of Herod Antipas (on Herod Antipas’ orders). c. 31 AD
The Sermon on the Mount. c. 31 AD
Fall and execution of Lucius Sejanus, the Praetorian Prefect, as a conspirator against the Emperor Tiberius. 31 AD
The last week of Jesus Christ while he is in the flesh. ca. 33 AD
Entry into Jerusalem and cleansing of the Temple of Jerusalem.
Thursday:
The Last Supper.
The Betrayal of Christ.
The arrest of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Friday:
The trial and conviction of the Lord Jesus Christ before the Jewish Sanhedrin at daybreak on Friday.
He is brought to Pontius Pilate, to Herod, and then back to Pontius Pilate on Friday morning.
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, at the age of 33, during the
reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius (9:00 AM Friday morning). c. 33 AD
Darkness for three hours (12:00-3:00 PM).
Death of Jesus (3:00 PM on Friday).
The Veil (curtain) of the Temple of Jerusalem is torn in two.
An earthquake in Jerusalem.
Jesus is buried toward the evening.
The tomb is sealed on Saturday.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Sunday at dawn, three days after his Crucifixion. c. 33 AD
The Ascension of Christ, fifty days after the Resurrection. c. 33 AD
Day of Pentecost. c. 33 AD
The first community (Baptism and the Eucharist) fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Pentecost).
The followers of Jesus Christ are led by Saint Peter the Apostle.
Saint Peter the Apostle leads the Church. 34-67 AD
Saul (the future St. Paul) persecutes the followers of Jesus Christ.
Saul is sent by the High Council of the Jews to Damascus in order to
fight and destroy the followers of Jesus Christ. 34-36 AD
Saint Stephen.
Killed by the Jews in Jerusalem. December 26, 34 AD
First martyr of Jesus Christ. On this day, he completes his 34th year.
Death of Herod Philip, the tetrarch. 34 AD
Tiradates becomes king of Parthia (until 36 AD). 35 AD
The Conversion of Saul. January 25, 36 AD
On his way to Damascus, Saul (Paul) hears the voice of Jesus Christ.
Pontius Pilate suppresses an uprising of the Samaritans (Samaria). 36 AD
Pontius Pilate is ordered back to Rome in order to render an account for harshly suppressing
Jewish uprising. 36 AD
Judea had experienced over three years of rioting and chaos.
Marcellus is made governor of Judaea and Samaria. 36 AD
Death of Roman Emperor Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus. 37 AD
He is succeeded by Tiberius Gemellus and Gaius Caesar Germanicus (“Caligula” or “Little Boot”)
the youngest son of Germanicus.
Caligula kills Tiberius Gemellus.
Caligula is made Emperor of the Roman Empire. 37 AD
Reign of Caligula. 37-41 AD
With Caligula begins the enforced adoration of the emperor as the Supreme God.
This will be the cause of the slaughter of tens of thousands of Christians until the reign of Constantine.
First visit of Saul (now Paul) to the city of Jerusalem. c. 38 AD
Three years after his conversion while he was on the road to Damascus,
Paul travels to Jerusalem in order to meet St. Peter, the head of the twelve apostles and the head
of the Church. Paul stays with Peter for fifteen days.
Herod Agrippa, King of northern Palestine. 37-44 AD
Caligula gives him two thirds of the former kingdom of Herod “the Great”.
Birth of Nero (b.37-d.68). 37 AD
Caligula becomes increasingly mentally unstable. 38 AD
The gentile (that is, non-Jewish) Cornelius and his family are baptized by Saint Peter, the Head
of the Church. c. 39 AD
Caligula and Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo become Roman consuls. 39 AD
Legio (Legion) XV Primigenia and Legio XXII Primigenia are levied
for the German frontier. 39 AD
The Jews drive out all Christians from the Jewish synagogues. ca. 40 AD
One of the earliest Christian churches. Built at Corinth, Greece. 40 AD
The evil emperor Caligula finally proclaims himself to be a god. 40 AD
The Quadi, a barbarian Germanic tribe, settle in what is modern day Moravia and Slovakia. 40 AD
Vardanes becomes King of Parthia. 40 AD
He is opposed by Gotarzes II, his brother.
St. Mark, the Evangelist, founds the church of Alexandria (Egypt). 40 AD
St. James the Greater (meaning the older), one of the twelve Apostles is
preaching in Roman Hispania (what is now Spain). 40 AD
Martyrdom of St. James the Greater (the son of Zebedee). March 25, 41 AD
He is condemned to death by Herod Agrippa I. He is beheaded.
St. James the Greater is the first of the twelve Apostles to be martyred.
Rome annexes Mauretania. 41 AD
The evil regime of Caligula is finally ended with his murder by the Prefect of the Praetorians,
Cassius Chaerea. Jan. 24, 41 AD
Claudius is made emperor by the Praetorian Guard.
Claudius succeeds Caligula as Roman Emperor. Jan. 25, 41 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor Claudius I (Tiberius Claudius Nero). 41-54 AD
Claudius is Caligula’s uncle and the son of Drusus.
Emperor Claudius appoints Herod Agrippa I as king of Judaea. 41 AD
Gives him the remaining one third of Judaea.
Herod Agrippa I will be the last Jewish king of Judaea.
He is appointed by the Romans (rules 41-44 AD).
German tribes attack across the Rhine River into Roman territory.
The barbarians are stopped by the Roman forces. 41 AD
Saint Matthew the Apostle.
“The Gospel of Matthew.” c. 42 AD
St. Peter, the Apostle.
After filling the see of Antioch for seven years, Peter goes to Rome. 42 AD
St. Paul is bought to Antioch by St. Barnabas. c. 42 AD
Desolation of Judea by a terrible famine. c. 42 AD
Number of thousands of deaths is unknown.
At Antioch, the followers of Jesus, are first called “Christians”. c. 42 AD
After almost one hundred years after Julius Caesar invaded England, Emperor Claudius sends several Roman legions (20,000 Roman troops) under Aulus Plautius to complete the conquest of the island. 43 AD
Battle of Medway River. 43 AD
The Romans under Aulus Plautius defeat the Britons under Caractacus.
Caractacus however escapes.
Emperor Claudius lands in Britain and accepts the surrender of the Britons at Camulodunum (now Colchester).
Claudius proclaims that the island is now a Roman province.
The Roman occupation of Britain will continue for the next almost 400 years until 407 AD.
Founding of Londinium (now London) by the Roman armies. 43 AD
The Romans begin building the fortifications of Londinium.
Caractacus (Caractus) attempts to revolt against the Roman armies that occupy England. 43-50 AD
Caractacus is powerless to prevent the subjugation of England by the Roman armies.
Herod Agrippa.
Continues to persecute the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ that are in the city of Jerusalem. 43 AD
St. Paul and St. Barnabas bring relief from the Antioch Christians to the church that is at Jerusalem where there is a famine. 44 AD
Saint James the Less (meaning the Younger).
Leads the followers of Jesus Christ that are in Jerusalem. 44 AD
Herod Agrippa I, age 54, finally dies a horrible death. 44 AD
Judaea once more becomes a procuratorial province of the Roman Empire.
Saint Paul is sent out on his missionary journeys. 45 AD
First journey of Paul and Barnabas to Asia Minor and Greece. 45-49 AD
Circumcision and Jewish dietary laws are no longer observed by them. They go to Cyprus, Perga, Antioch in Pisidia, and the cities of Lycaonia.
Establishment of the Roman province of Thrace. 46 AD
Saint Mark.
"The Gospel of Mark". 46 AD
St. Paul is in South Galatia. 47-48 AD
Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo.
Made commander of the Roman army in Germania Inferior. 47 AD
Corbulo conquers the Chauci and fights against the Cherusci and Frisians.
Suppression of the Frisian revolt by Roman general Corbulo. 47 AD
Publius Ostorius Scapula.
Replaces Aulus Plautius as the Roman ruler (governor) of Britain. 47 AD
Corbulo orders the construction of the canal Fossa Corbulonis, between
the Rhine River and Meuse River in what is now called the Netherlands.
Canal connects the city Forum Hadriani (Voorburg). 47 AD
Romans build the Traiectum fortification near the mouth of the Rhine River. 47 AD
Will later become the city of Utrecht.
Ananias becomes the high priest of Israel in Judaea. 47 AD
Saint Luke the Evangelist.
"The Gospel of Luke". 48 AD
Council of the Apostles of Jesus Christ at Jerusalem. c. 48 AD
Saint Peter and the original apostles assume the missionary activity among the Jews who do
not believe that Christ is the Messiah, Savior, and God.
Paul and Barnabas are sent among the non-Jews (gentiles).
Proclamation of independence from Jewish ritualistic law and proclamation of the Gratia Dei (the Grace of God).
Roman legions invade Wales. 48 AD
Flood. Thames River overflows in England. 10,000 perish. 48 AD
Execution of Messalina, the wife of Emperor Claudius. 48 AD
Claudius marries his niece Agrippina.
Herod Agrippa II is made King of Judaea. 48 AD
St. Paul begins writing his epistles (letters) to the gentiles (non-Jews). 48 AD
St. Paul. “Epistle to the Galatians”. 48 AD
St. Paul. Third visit to Jerusalem. 49 AD
Second journey of St. Paul (St. Barnabas is with him). 49-52 AD
Includes longer stays at Corinth (c. 50-52 AD) where Paul founds the Church of Corinth.
Melankomas is the boxing champion of the 207th Olympic Games. 49 AD
Publius Ostorius Scapula founds a “colonia” for Roman veterans
of war, at Camulodunum (modern day Colchester). 49 AD
Publius Scapula founds the city of Verulamium (modern day St. Albans).
A Roman legion is retained on the borders of the Silures tribe of
South Wales in preparation for invasion.
Emperor Claudius expels the Christians from Rome. 49 AD
Beginning of famine during the reign of Claudius. 49 AD
Emperor Claudius adopts Nero, Agrippina's son by a previous marriage, as his successor. 50 AD
The city of Cologne is founded by the Romans as “Colonia Agrippina”.
It is built on the site of Oppidum Ubiorum, the chief town of the Ubii tribe. 50 AD
Pedanios Dioscorides. Greek biologist and physician.
“De Materia Medica”. Five volumes. c. 50 AD
Includes a discussion of the medicinal properties of plants.
Acqua Claudia. Aqueduct from the Campagna to Rome is built. 50 AD
Death of Vonones II, after a few months on the throne. 50 AD
Vologeses I, his son, becomes king of the Parthian Empire.
Vologeses I rules 50-90 AD.
Aurelius Cornelius Celsus. Roman.
Provides a comprehensive encyclopedia including philosophy, rhetoric,
oratory, military science, jurisprudence, medicine, agriculture, language, and history. c. 50 AD
Founding of the city of Utrecht by the Romans. 50 AD
The Romans build a bridge across the Thames River in what is now called London. 50 AD
Arrival of Saint Paul at Corinth. 50 AD
Saint Paul remains in Corinth for 18 months. 50-52 AD
Saint Paul. “First Epistle to the Thessalonians”. c. 50 AD
Saint Paul. “Second Epistle to the Thessalonians”. 51-52 AD
Famine. Greece. 51 AD
Number of thousands of deaths is unknown.
Battle of Shropshire. 51 AD
Roman troops led by Publius Ostorius Scapula defeat and capture Caractacus, the British defender
of Southwest England, at Shropshire.
Caractacus is taken to Rome in chains.
Emperor Claudius decides to free Caractacus.
Arrival of St. Thomas the Apostle at Kodungallur, on the Malabar Coast of India. 52 AD
Publius Ostorius Scapula dies while he is campaigning against
the Silure tribe in South Wales. 52 AD
Scapula is replaced by Didius Gallus who quickly suppresses the rebellion.
Parthia fights against Rome for the possession of Armenia Minor. 52 AD
Seneca. Roman philosopher.
“Quaestiones naturales”. c. 52 AD
(“Natural Questions”).
On physics, geography, astronomy, and meteorology.
Pliny the Elder (Gaius Plinius Secundus).
Born in Roman Novum Comum (Como) Italy.
"Naturalis Historia". c. 52 AD
(“History of Nature”). 37 volumes.
On astronomy, biology, zoology, botany, and geography.
Saint Paul.
Sets out on his third missionary voyage (53-58 AD). 53 AD
Travels to Asia Minor, Ephesus, Macedonia, Achaia, and Corinth.
St. Paul is in Ephesus. c. 53-54 AD
St. Evodius (d.c. 64).
Succeeds Saint Peter the Apostle as the Bishop of Antioch. 53 AD
St. Paul. Second journey to Corinth. c. 54-58 AD
Death of Emperor Claudius (probably poisoned by his wife Agrippina).
Nero, the son of Agrippina, becomes Emperor. 54 AD
Reign of the Roman Emperor Nero. 54-68 AD
Nero (b.37-d.68) is the last of the Julio-Claudian line of Roman Emperors.
His full name is Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.
Nero destroys Britannicus and all of the Julian family.
Domitius Corbulo marches his legions (Legio VI Ferrata and Legio X) into the mountains of
Cappadocia (Asia Minor) and makes camp there. 54 AD
Part of the training of his men consists of marches of 25 miles.
Famine. England. 54 AD
Number of thousands dead is unknown.
Rome sends general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo to subdue Parthia. c. 55 AD
Death of the Virgin Mary. c. 55 AD
St. Paul.
“First Epistle to the Corinthians”. Written from Ephesus. 55 AD
Revolt of the Egyptians. 55 AD
St. Paul.
“Second Epistle to the Corinthians”. Written. 56 AD
St. Paul.
“Epistle to the Romans”. Written while he is at Corinth. c. 56 AD
Quintus Veranius Nepos.
Becomes governor of Britain in place of Aulus Didius Gallus. 57 AD
St. Agabus meets St. Paul at Caesarea Maritima and prophesizes that Paul will be captured by
the Jews at Jerusalem. 58 AD
St. John the Apostle.
"The Gospel of John". 58 AD
Return of St. Paul to Jerusalem in order to report on his activities. c. 58 AD
The arrest of St. Paul in Jerusalem. 58 AD
The imprisonment of Paul in Caesarea.
St. Paul of Tarsus.
“Epistle to the Colossians”. c.59 AD
Roman general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo invades Armenia. c. 58 AD
Roman war with the Armenians and the Parthians.
Roman conquest of Armenia. 58-63 AD
Nero has his mother Agrippina killed. 59 AD
Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, Roman governor of Britain.
Captures the island of Mona (Anglesley), which is the last stronghold of the Druids (Druidism). 60 AD
Hero of Alexandria.
Writes “Mechanica” (Mechanics), and “Pneumatica” (Pneumatics). c. 60 AD
Emperor Claudius prohibits Druidism throughout the Roman Empire.
The Romans detested the Druid practice of human sacrifice. 60 AD
St. Paul is arrested and imprisoned by Felix, the Procurator of Judaea. 60 AD
Porcius Festus succeeds Felix as the Procurator of Judaea. 60 AD
Saint Paul.
Brought to trial before Porcius Festus, the Procurator of Judaea.
Paul appeals to Rome. 60 AD
Paul appeals to the judgment of the Emperor of Rome.
He is freed. c. 60 AD
St. Paul is taken to Rome, but is shipwrecked on the island of Malta.
Paul remains for three months on Malta and converts Publius, the first Bishop of Malta. c. 60 AD
Paul sets foot for the first time on Italian soil. He is under official Imperial
auspices with a sympathetic Roman military escort. Spring 60 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Andrew the Apostle in the city of Patras.
He is crucified on an “X” shaped cross. November 30, 60 AD
Heron of Alexandria.
"Metrica" (“Measurements”). 60 AD
Contains formulas for the calculation of areas and volumes.
The Revolt of Boudicca (also Boadicea), 61-62 AD. 61 AD
Boadicea, queen of the Iceni (modern Norfolk) tribe in Britain descends on the undefeated town of Camulodunum (modern Colchester). The tribesmen massacre the Roman settlers and the Britons who were on the side of the Romans.
Boadicea, leads her rebels, and sweeps down on Londinium (early London). They massacre all of
the inhabitants. 61 AD
Boadicea turns northeast to Verulamium (modern Saint Albans). They massacre all of the inhabitants.
By now they have massacred approximately 80,000 people. 61 AD
Suetonius Paulinus, governor of Roman Britain, leads two Roman legions (10,000 men) and makes a forced march from Wales to Verulamium. Paulinus directs a coordinated attack on Boadicea’s horde.
Roman discipline defeats the savage horde.
Almost 80,000 of the horde are killed by the Romans.
Boadicea is finally totally defeated by the Roman governor of Britain Gaius Suetonius Paulinus.
She takes poison and dies. 61 AD
St. Paul.
"Epistle to the Philippians". c. 61 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Barnabas. 61 AD
Barnabas is stoned to death at Salamis, in Cyprus.
Nero (b.37-d.68) divorces and exiles his wife, Octavia. 62 AD
Nero has his wife Octavia killed.
Nero marries Poppaea Sabina, the wife of his friend Otho.
Seneca the Younger (c.5 BC-65 AD). Roman philosopher.
Resigns from his position at Nero's court. 62 AD
Romans are defeated by the Parthians at Rhandeia in Armenia. 62 AD
St. James the Less (meaning the younger).
Writes the "Epistle of James". c. 62 AD
Martyrdom of Saint James the Less (meaning the younger). 62 AD
Saint James the Less was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He is thrown from the pinnacle of the
Temple of Jerusalem by the Pharisees. He is stoned, and then finally clubbed to death.
The surviving Apostles elect St. Simeon (d.107), the brother of Saint James
the Less, to succeed him as the Bishop of Jerusalem.
St. Paul is released from prison in Rome. 62 AD
He is allowed to stay in Rome but he is under house arrest.
St. Paul of Tarsus.
"Epistle to the Ephesians". c. 63 AD
St. Paul.
Revisits Ephesus, Macedonia, and Greece. 63-67 AD
Vespasian becomes governor of Roman Africa. 63 AD
Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo invades Armenia and defeats Tiridates I.
Tiridates I accepts Roman sovereignty over Armenia. 63 AD
Burning of Rome. July 19-25, 64 AD
Emperor Nero watches while Rome burns. The city burns for eight days.
Eleven out of the city's 15 districts are reduced to ashes.
Nero (b.37-d.68), who is responsible for starting the fire, blames the Christians for the great fire
that almost destroyed all of Rome. 64 AD
Nero will rebuild the city of Rome.
First persecution of Christians in Rome is begun by Nero.
Continues until his death by suicide in 68 AD.
Thousands of Christians are scourged, killed, burned, and tortured to death during the four year period (Neronian Persecution).
Martyrdom of Saint Peter the Apostle. 64 AD
St. Peter is crucified on the Mons Vaticanus.
Nero is emperor at this time.
Gessius Florus is 7th Roman Procurator of Judaea. 64-66 AD
Phoenicia is incorporated into the Roman Province of Syria. 64 AD
Phoenicia ceases to exist.
Martyrdom of Saint Matthias. c. 65 AD
He is stoned to death at Colchis.
Matthias had been selected by the apostles to replace Judas Iscariot.
Pisonian conspiracy led by Gaius Piso is uncovered. 65 AD
Intended to get Nero, the degenerate emperor, out of the throne.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca, also called Seneca the Younger (c.5 BC-65 AD). Roman Stoic philosopher.
An advisor to the degenerate Roman Emperor, Seneca commits suicide at the order of Nero (b.37-d.68) after being falsely accused of conspiracy. 65 AD
St. Mark.
"The Gospel According to Saint Mark". c. 65 AD
Death of Tigranes.
End of the war between Parthia and the Romans when Tiridates accepts
the crown of Armenia from Nero. 65 AD
Outbreak of the Jewish War (66-70 AD). 66 AD
Revolt of Roman Judaea against Roman rule.
The Jews revolt against the rule of the Romans. 66 AD
The Jews capture the fortress of Masada overlooking the Red Sea.
Roman general Cestius Gallus marches into Judaea with an army of 30,000 men in order to put
down the Jewish rebellion. 66 AD
St. Paul of Tarsus.
Arrested and returned to Rome.
This is his second imprisonment at Rome. 67 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Paul of Tarsus.
Paul is beheaded on the road to Ostia. c. 67 AD
Roman general Vespasian, now age 58, is sent to Judaea where he begins the suppression of the
revolt of the Jews against Roman rule. 67 AD
Joseph Ben Matthias, the Jewish leader, attempts to hold the fortress of Jotapata against a siege. 67 AD
He surrenders to General Titus Flavius Vespasian after 47 days.
Martyrdom of St. Nazarius. c. 68 AD
He is tortured and then beheaded at Milan.
Insurrection of C. Julius Vindex in Gaul is put down. 68 AD
Flavius Josephus. Jewish historian.
"The History of the Jewish People". 68 AD
St. Linus becomes the Second Pope (Bishop of Rome). 67 AD
Pope: 67-79 AD.
Rebellion of Roman Legions and the Praetorian Guard against the Roman
Emperor Nero. 68 AD
The suicide of Nero (b.37-d.68) aged 30. 68 AD
Nero stabs himself to death. Extinction of the House of Caesar.
Galba, commander in Hispania Terraconensis becomes emperor of Rome.
Reign of Roman Emperor Galba. 68-69 AD
"Year of the Four Emperors". 68-69 AD
Rhine legions in Germania acclaim their general, Aulus Vitellius as Roman
emperor in opposition to Galba. 69 AD
Marcus Salvius Otho (b.32-d.69), a former friend of Nero, has Emperor Galba killed.
The Roman Senate declares Otho is Roman emperor. 69 AD
Otho is briefly Roman Emperor. 69 AD
Battle of Bedriacum (near Cremona). 69 AD
Aulus Vitellius (commander of the legions on the Rhine) defeats Otho.
Otho commits suicide by stabbing himself to death.
Aulus Vitellius becomes emperor of Rome.
Eastern governors proclaim Vespasianus, the general in Judaea, emperor of Rome. 69 AD
Vespasian (Titus Flavius Vespasianus), general in Judaea, is recalled from Judaea.
Vespasian leaves his son Titus in charge of the campaign in Judaea.
Vespasianus defeats and kills Aulus Vitellius in a street battle. 69 AD
Vespasian is formally made Emperor of Rome. 69 AD
Vespasian is at Alexandria, Egypt. 69 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor Vespasian (b.9-d.79). 69-79 AD
(Titus Flavius Vespasianus) .
Vespasian founded the Flavian Dynasty (Vespasian, Titus, Domitian).
Vespasian strengthens the eastern boundaries of the Roman Empire.
Revolt of the Batavians in Belgian Gaul against the Romans. 69-70 AD
The Revolt is led by Claudius Civilis.
Marcus Vettius Bolanus.
Becomes the new governor of Roman Britain. 69 AD
G. Suetonius Tranquillus (70-146). Born. 70 AD
Roman author, scholar, historian, and biographer.
St. Matthew the Apostle.
“Gospel According to Saint Matthew”. Written. c. 70 AD
Now that he has been proclaimed Emperor, Vespasian returns to Rome from Jerusalem, where
he has John of Giscola, the Zealot leader of the Jews under siege. 70 AD
Vespasian leaves Titus, his son, to continue the siege of Jerusalem.
Conquest and destruction of the city of Jerusalem by Titus, the son
of Roman Emperor Flavius Vespasian. 70 AD
Titus, at the head of a Roman army, suppresses the Jewish revolt against Rome. Titus captures
and destroys Jerusalem including Solomon's Temple at Jerusalem. 1,000,000 dead.
Titus completes the Roman subjugation of Rloman Judaea.
Disappearance of the Pharisees after the destruction of the Temple.
The Jewish High priesthood and the Sanhedrin are abolished by the Romans.
Followers of Jesus Christ are persecuted under Roman Law and
worship in the catacombs of Rome. 70 AD
Construction of the Forum at Rome under the reign of Roman Emperor Vespasian. 70 AD
Vespasian. Roman Emperor.
Orders the building of the Arch of Titus celebrating the conquest of Jerusalem by general Titus. 71 AD
Philosophers are banished from Rome. 71 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Thomas the Apostle. 72 AD
The Apostle Thomas is killed by Hindu priests at Mylapore, India.
Roman general Flavius Silva captures Masada, the last stronghold
of the Jews in Palestine. 73 AD
Completion of the conquest of Judea by the Romans.
End of the Revolt of the Jews (66-73 AD).
Vespasian. Roman Emperor.
Begins the extension of the Roman Empire into what is now modern
day Germany (until 74 AD). 73 AD
St. Luke.
"The Gospel According to Saint Luke". Written. c. 73 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Mark the Evangelist. c. 74 AD
Vespasian. Roman emperor.
Orders the construction (75-79) of the Colosseum (originally called the Amphitheatrum Flavium - amphitheatre of Vespasia) at Rome. 75 AD
Sixtus Julius Frontinius, ruler of Roman Britain, subdues the Silure tribe and other hostile tribes
in Wales. 76 AD
Frontinus establishes a Roman fortress at Isca Augusta (Chaerleon)
for Legio (Legion) II Augusta.
Gnaeus Julius Agricola is made governor of Roman Britannia (77-84 AD).
Agricola replaces Sixtus Julius Frontinus. 77 AD
Arrival of Gnaeus Julius Agricola (b.40-d.93) in Britain. 77 AD
Agricola is the imperial governor in Britain (77-84 AD).
The purpose of his arrival is to complete the conquest of Britain that was begun by Julius Caesar
in the first century BC.
Gnaeus Julius Agricola (b.40-d.93) subdues the Ordovices tribe in Wales.
He pursues the remnant of the tribe to Anglesey, the island of the Druids (Druidism). 77 AD
In the winter of 77AD, Gnaeus Julius Agricola conquers Anglesey. 77 AD
Agricola then disperses his army to their winter quarters.
Gnaeus Julius Agricola (b.40-d.93).
Continues the Roman conquest of Britain. 77-84 AD
Agricola conquers the north part of England. Completed in 84 AD.
Death of Vologases I.
Pacorus II becomes king of the Parthian Empire. 78 AD
Rules 78-115.
Death of Vespasian.
Vespasian is succeeded by his son,Titus. 79 AD
Titus (age 38) is Roman Emperor. 79-81 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Linus, the successor of Saint Peter. 79 AD
Saint Linus is succeeded by Saint Anacletus (79-91).
Eruption of Mount Vesuvius (accompanied by earthquake). Aug. 24, 79 AD
Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae, and Oplontis are destroyed
and buried by the volcanic eruption.
An estimated 16,000 persons are buried alive.
Gnaeus Julius Agricola (b.40-d.93).
Founds the Roman fortress Deva Victrix. 79 AD
Will become the future Chester. Founds the Roman fortress Mamucian in the north west part of England.
Will become the future Manchester.
Emperor Titus completes construction of the Colosseum at Rome. 79 AD
Josephus. Jewish historian.
“The History of the Jewish War”. Written 75-79. Completed. 79 AD
Famine and pestilence ravage the Roman world.
In Rome alone, 10,000 die in one day. Thousands perish. 79-80 AD
General Agricola builds a fleet for the planned conquest of Caledonia.
Agricola will also finally prove that England is an island (85 AD). 80 AD
Eifel Aquaduct is constructed. 80 AD
“Book of the Acts of the Apostles”. c. 80 AD
Anthrax sweeps through the Roman Empire. 80 AD
Completion of the Baths of Titus. 80 AD
St. John the Apostle.
“Gospel According to St. John”. Written. c. 80 AD
Another terrible fire in Rome. 80 AD
Death of Roman Emperor Titus. 81 AD
Reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. 81-96 AD
Domitian is the son of Vespasian, and younger brother (aged 29) of Titus.
The reign of Domitian is characterized by continued persecutions of the followers of Jesus Christ (the Domitian Persecution).
Completion of the construction of the “Arch of Titus” at Rome by
Emperor Domitian. 81 AD
Its purpose is to memorialize the conquest of Jerusalem by his brother Titus.
Emperor Domitian.
Begins the building of defense lines on the German frontier of the Roman Empire. 81 AD
The Caledonians rise up in great numbers against the Romans. 82 AD
They attack the camp of Legio (Legion) IX Hispana during the night.
Agricola sends his cavalry. The Caledonians are forced to flee.
Emperor Domitian.
Campaigns across the Rhine River in Germania. 83 AD
Domitian defeats the Chatti, a Germanic tribe.
His victory allows the construction of fortifications (Limes) along the Rhine frontier.
The Romans build the legionary fortress Inchtuthil in Scotland. 83 AD
Gnaeus Julius Agricola defeats the various tribes of Scotland. 83 AD
Annexation of Northern Britain by the Romans. 83 AD
Roman power in Britain now extends as far north as Scotland.
Battle of Mons Graupius. 84 AD
Romans under Gnaeus Julius Agricola (b.40-d.93) defeat the Caledonians at Mt. Graupius (probably
near modern day Aberdeen) in Rome's deepest northward penetration of Britain.
Completion of the Roman conquest of Britain (Britannia). 84 AD
Gnaeus Julius Agricola (b.40-d.93).
Builds Roman fortresses between the Clyde and Forth rivers in Scotland. 84 AD
Emperor Domitian recalls Julius Agricola in order to help repel barbarian
invaders along the Rhine and Danube Valleys. 84 AD
Domitian throws back a barbarian invasion along the Danube River. 85 AD
Roman forces under Gnaeus Julius Agricola (b.40-d.93) successfully circumnavigate the British Isles. 85 AD
Dacians under Decabulus engage in two wars against the Romans from 85 to 88/89. 85 AD
Domitian repulses a Dacian invasion of Moesia. 85 AD
Domitian Persecution of the Christians. 85-96 AD
Severe persecution of the followers of Jesus Christ is ordered by Roman
Emperor Domitian.
Roman general Trajan begins a campaign to crush an uprising of Germanic tribes. 86 AD
Romans divide Germania into two provinces. 86 AD
Germania Inferior and Germania Superior.
First Battle of Tapae. 86 AD
The Romans are defeated by the Dacians.
Julius Maternus. Roman explorer.
Explores western Africa. c. 87 AD
Decabulus becomes king of Dacia. 87 AD
End of the First Dacian War. 88 AD
Founding of Aquincum (old Budapest, Obuda) by the Romans. 88 AD
Quintilian (Marcus Fabius Quintilianus). Roman.
"Institutio Oratoria". Twelve books. Begun. 88 AD
Writes a major study of Rhetoric.
Domitian is defeated by the Marcomanni and Quadi of what is now called Bohemia. 89 AD
Cologne becomes the capital of Germania Inferior. 90 AD
St. John the Apostle is exiled to the isle of Patmos. 90 AD
Martyrdom of St. Antipas. 90 AD
Called by St. John, "my faithful witness", (Acts 2:13).
Antipas is burned to death during the Domitian persecution of the Church.
St. John the Apostle.
“The Book of Revelation”. Written at Patmos. c. 90 AD
Death of Vologeses I of Parthia. 90 AD
Arsaces XXIV is in alliance with the Roman Empire.
Nicomachus of Gerasa (60-120). From Gerasa in Roman Syria.
"Arithmetike eisagoge" (also called “Introductio Arithmetica”). c.90 AD
(“Introduction to Arithmetic”).
This is the first work to treat the subject of arithmetic as a separate subject from geometry.
Summarizes the existing knowledge of number theory up to that time.
Martyrdom of St. Cletus (Anacletus, Greek), Pope, in Rome. 91 AD
Clement, Bishop of Rome (pontificate).
Clement succeeds Saint Cletus as Pope. 91-100 AD
Josephus (originally Joseph ben Matthias). Jewish historian.
"Jewish Antiquities". Completed. Written in the Aramaic language. 93 AD
Romans found the city of Lindum (modern day Lincoln) in England. 94 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Onesimus, a disciple of Saint Paul. 95 AD
St. Onesimus is stoned to death in Rome.
Appearance of a severe form of malaria in the areas surrounding the city of Rome. 95 AD
The Roman conquest of West and South Germany is completed by
finishing the “Limes” (fortified frontier road). 96 AD
Marcus Ulpius Traianus (Trajan).
Becomes governor of Upper Germany. 96 AD
Saint Clement of Rome.
"First Epistle to the Corinthians". c. 96 AD
Assassination of the greatly despised emperor Domitian (b.51-d.96) by a palace conspiracy.
End of the Flavian Dynasty of Rome. Sept. 18, 96 AD
Reign of the Roman Emperor Nerva (Marcus Cocceius Nerva). 96-98 AD
Nerva (age 60) begins what is called the dynasty of the Antonines.
"The Age of the Antonines".
These are the Roman emperors Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. 96-180 AD
Saint Polycarp (c.69-c.155)
Consecrated Bishop of Smyrna by St. John the Apostle. 96 AD
Nerva adopts the Roman general Trajan as his successor. 97 AD
Martyrdom of St. Timothy. 97 AD
St. Timothy is stoned to death in Ephesus, when he opposes the pagan
festival of Katagogian which is held in honor of Diana.
Frontinus (Sextus Julius Frontinus), c.40-103.
“De Aquaeductus”.
This is a two volume work on Roman aqueducts summarizing the major advances in their
construction since ancient times. 97 AD
Trajan (Marcus Ulpius Traianus), the general commanding in lower
Germania is made Emperor of Rome. 98 AD
Trajan is the first Roman Emperor of non-Italian (provincial) stock.
Reign of Roman Emperor Trajan. 98-117 AD
Third or Trajan Persecution of Christians. 98-117 AD
Trajan continues the executions throughout the Roman Empire of the followers of Jesus Christ.
Martyrdom of St. Parmenas at Philippi, Macedonia. 98 AD
Killed during the persecution of the Christians under Emperor Trajan.
St. Parmenas was one of the converts from Judaism to Christianity.
Founding of Colonia Nervia Glevensis. 98 AD
This will later become the city of Glouchester.
Cornelius Tacitus (56-120 AD). Roman historian.
Appearance of his first historical works. 98 AD
In 98, Tacitus writes the following two historical works:
“De Vita Iulii Agricolae”.
("The Life of Agricola").
“De origini et situ Germanorum” (“Germania”).
A history of the early Germanic tribes.
Describes the culture of the Germanic tribes.
Menelaus of Alexandria.
"Sphaerica". c.98 AD
Deals with spherical triangles and their application to astronomy.
Establishes the subject of Spherical Trigonometry.
Funan Empire is established in Cambodia. c.100 AD
Champa kingdom is founded in South Vietnam and parts of Cambodia.
Martyrdom of St. Clement (Pope). 100 AD
St. Clement is condemned to death while he is a prisoner.
He is thrown into the sea with an anchor tied around his neck.
Saint Evaristus. Fifth Pope. c.100-105 AD
Originally from Asia Minor.
Birth of St. Justin (100-165). c.100 AD
Will open the first Christian school in Rome.
The Romans briefly lose control of Scotland to the barbarians. 100 AD
Beginning of the period of the Corinthian Heresy. c.100 AD
The Corinthian Heresy denies the full humanity of Jesus Christ.
Germanic migrations and invasions slowly begin. 100 AD
For the next 375 years, the Goths, the Vandals, and the Huns will raid the Roman Empire.
At first they will be successfully defeated.
Dacian Wars (Rome vs Dacia). 101-106 AD
Roman Emperor Trajan fights in the Dacian wars. 101-107 AD
Dacia is now part of modern day Romania.
The Roman Empire reaches its greatest geographical extent after Emperor Trajan later
subdues Dacia, Armenia, and Upper Mesopotamia. 101-107 AD
Indo-Scythians invade North India. 102 AD
Death of Saint John the Apostle at Ephesus. c. 104 AD
Saint Alexander I. Sixth Pope. 105-115 AD
Born in Rome.
Tacitus (56-120 AD). Roman historian.
“Historiae” (“The Histories”). 105 AD
Four cities in Asia, two in Greece, and two in Galatia are destroyed
by earthquakes. 105 AD
Conquest of Dacia (Romania and Transylvania).
Dacia is made a Roman province. 106 AD
Trajan defeats Decebalus, King of Dacia, in battle.
Petra, once the capital of the Nabataeans (a Semitic people), is taken over by the Romans. 106 AD
Trajan forms the Roman province of Arabia Petraea (country south of Damascus to the head
of the Red Sea). 106 AD
It is inhabited by the Nabateans, a Semitic people.
Trajan's Column, Rome. 106-113 AD
Built to honor the conquest of Dacia by Roman Emperor Trajan.
Includes a spiral frieze depicting the Dacian Wars in a continuous narrative.
First mention of the term “Catholic Church” (literally means “Universal Church”) in an epistle
written by St. Ignatius of Antioch. c. 107 AD
Chosroes (Arsaces XXV). Parthian Empire. 107 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Simeon Cleophas. 107 AD
Simeon is the second Bishop of Jerusalem.
During the persecution of the Christians under Roman Emperor Trajan,
he is arrested, and after many tortures he is crucified.
He is one hundred twenty years old at the time of his martyrdom.
Martyrdom of St. Rufus and St. Zosimus. c. 107 AD They are both condemned to death for refusing to deny that Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh.
They are thrown to wild beasts in the arena two days before the martyrdom of St. Ignatius of Antioch.
Martyrdom of Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Dec. 19, 107 AD
He is often surnamed Theophorus.
He is sent in chains to Rome and thrown to the wild beasts.
St. Ignatius was the first writer to use the expression "the Catholic Church".
The Greek word Catolica means “general or universal”.
An ambassador is sent from India to Rome.
He is received by Roman Emperor Trajan. 107 AD
Trajan. Roman Emperor.
Constructs the Via Traiana at his own personal expense.
The road connects Benevento to Brundisium (modern Brindisi). 107 AD
A massive Roman aqueduct is built at Segovia, Spain. 110 AD
St. Polycarp (ca.69-c.155).
“Letter to the Philippians”. c.110 AD
The Roman Empire now has over 48,000 miles of roads. 110 AD
Trajan sends Pliny the Younger to be governor (legatus Augusti) of Bithynia (northwest Asia Minor). 111 AD
Forum of Trajan, Rome. c.112 AD
Designed by Apollodorus of Damascus.
Trajan’s Forum is a masterpiece of axial planning.
Proconsul Pliny the Younger reorganizes Bithynia. 112 AD
Chosroes, King of Parthia, installs a puppet king in Armenia in defiance of Rome. 112 AD
Martyrdom of St. Alexander (Pope Alexander I). 113 AD
He is tortured, burned and then beheaded on the Via Nomentana, Rome.
Renewal of the Parthian War. 113-116 AD
Begun during the reign of Roman Emperor Trajan.
Emperor Trajan annexes Armenia to the Roman Empire. 114 AD
Destruction of the important city of Antioch, Syria by an earthquake. 115 AD
Unknown number of thousands die.
The Jews in Egypt, North Africa, Palestine, and Cyprus rebel
against the rule of the Roman Empire. 115-116 AD
The Jewish revolts are crushed with great severity by Trajan.
Trajan captures Ctesiphon, the capital of the Parthian Empire. 115 AD
Roman Emperor Trajan makes Mesopotamia a Roman province. 115 AD
Emperor Trajan.
Makes the Tigris River the eastern boundary of the Roman Empire. 115 AD
Saint Sixtus I. Seventh Pope. c. 116-125 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Emperor Trajan makes Assyria a Roman Province. 116 AD
Marches to the Persian Gulf to conquer Parthia.
Rome is victorious in the war with the Parthians. 116 AD
Trajan makes Armenia a Roman province.
Death of Trajan in Cilicia. He is 63 years old. 117 AD
Hadrian (Publius Aelius Hadrianus), legate of Syria. 117 AD
Reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (Trajan’s cousin). 117-138 AD
Hadrian abandons the lands east of the Euphrates River, that is, the
provinces of Assyria, Mesopotamia, and Armenia. 117 AD
Hadrian makes the Euphrates River the new eastern boundary of the Roman Empire.
Chosroes (Arsaces XXV) is restored in Parthia. 117 AD
Tacitus. Roman historian.
“The Annals”. 117 AD
Roman Emperor Hadrian.
Fourth Persecution of the Christians under Hadrian. 117-138 AD
The Pantheon (ordered by Hadrian). 118 AD
Construction of the Pantheon at Rome begins (will be finished 124 AD).
This was the largest domed structure in the world.
It was built on the site of an older structure.
Population of Rome exceeds one million people. 118 AD
It is the largest city in the world.
Martyrdom of St. Eustace (also known as Eustachius). c.118 AD
Martyrdom of St. Dionysius (Denis) at Montmartre. Oct. 9, 119 AD
Claudius Ptolemaeus (Ptolemy).
Alexandrian astronomer and geographer.
Performs experiments on the refraction of light. c.120 AD
Tarfon. Jewish rabbi.
Demands the burning of all of the books of what we now call the “New Testament”. 120 AD
Vologeses II (Arsaces XXVI). Parthian Empire. 121 AD
Suetonius.
“The Lives of the Caesars”. 121 AD
Hadrian. Roman Emperor.
Visits Britain (Britannia). 122 AD
Hadrian. Roman Emperor.
Begins construction of a 75 mile long wall across Britain named after him (Hadrian’s Wall) from
Tyne to Solway between northern England and Caledonia (Scotland). Completed c. 127 AD. 122 AD
Built to protect Romans from attacks by tribes from the north (Scotland).
The wall is about 10 feet thick and 15 feet high.
Hadrian leads an expedition against the Berbers who have been
raiding Roman cities in Roman Mauretania. 123 AD
Completion of the Pantheon in Rome. 124 AD
“The Epistle to Diognetus”. c.124 AD
Written by an unknown author.
Nagarjuna. Exponent of Buddhism in India. c. 125 AD
Saint Telesphorus. Eighth Pope. c. 125-136 AD
Birthplace: Greece.
Spread of Gnosticism (the Gnostic Heresy). c. 125 AD
North Africa is devastated by plague and famine. 125 AD
“Shepherd of Hermas”. Written in Rome. c. 125 AD
Earthquake. Nicomedia, Asia Minor. 126 AD
Caesarea and Nicea are destroyed.
Conversion of the philosopher Justin Martyr from paganism to Christianity. Justin had been born
of a pagan Greek family in Samaria. c. 130 AD
He had previously practiced in turn Stoicism, Aristotelianism, Pythagoreanism, and Platonism.
Emperor Hadrian visits Egypt.
New capital city is begun at Antinopolis. 130 AD
Hadrian standardizes Roman Law throughout the Roman Empire. 131 AD
The Jews in Jerusalem are indignant at the building of a temple to Jupter on the site of their Temple. 132 AD
The Jews establish a new Jewish religious center at Jamnia. 132-135 AD
Second Jewish Revolt. 132-135 AD
Roman influence in Jerusalem provokes the revolt of the Jews.
The Jewish Revolt is led by Simon Bar Kocheba and Rabbi Akiba Ben-Joseph (40-135).
The Jews temporarily capture Jerusalem and set up an independent state of Israel.
This is the Second Jewish Revolt (132-135 AD).
Julius Severus, the Governor of Roman Britain, is sent to Palestine
in order to crush the second revolt of the Jews. 133 AD
After three years, Hadrian suppresses the second Jewish revolt. 135 AD
Simon Bar Kocheba and Rabbi Akiba Ben-Joseph are both killed.
Marks the end of the Jewish nation. Depopulation of Judaea.
Hadrian converts Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina.
Judea is renamed Syria Palestina (Provincia Syria Palaestina).
The Romans forbid any Jew to live in or to even enter into the city of Jerusalem. Jews are forced abroad.
Final Diaspora (dispersion) of the Jews.
Martyrdom of St. Telesphorus (Eighth Pope).
During the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian. 136 AD
Emperor Hadrian adopts Antonius Pius as his successor. 138 AD
St. Hyginus. Ninth Pope. 136-140 AD
Birthplace: Greece.
Death of Hadrian. 138 AD
He is buried in the monumental circular tomb (the Mausoleum Hadriani, Castel Sant’Angelo).
Reign of Roman Emperor Antonius Pius. 138-161 AD
The Indo-Scythian invaders destroy the last traces of Hellenic (Greek)
rule in Northern India. Greek rule had begun during the time of Alexander the Great (d.323 BC). c.138 AD
The Goths migrate southwards. 140 AD
Construction of a Roman theater at Verulamium (later will be called St. Albans), England. 140 AD
Ptolemy (Claudius Ptolemaeus). c.100-c.170.
Greek mathematician, astronomer, and geographer at Alexandria.
“Megale Syntaxis tes astronomias”. Arabic: “Almagest”. Completed. c.140 AD
Produces the “Almagest”, his great synthesis of current astronomical knowledge, which provided an early system of celestial mechanics.
Antoninus Pius. Roman Emperor.
Orders the building of the Antonine Wall against the Picts and the Caledonians.
Built from Forth to Clyde (140-143). 140 AD
Saint Pius I. Tenth Pope. c. 140-155 AD
Birthplace: Venetia.
During his pontificate, he opposes Valentinianism and Gnosticism.
He will also excommunicate Marcian and condemn Marcionism (144).
Roman general Quintus Lollius Urbinus crushes another revolt against Roman rule in northern Britannia. 143 AD
Competes building the Antonine Wall from the Forth to Clyde rivers.
Marcion of Sinope comes from Asia Minor to Rome. 144 AD
Rise of the Marcionite Heresy (Marcionism).
Marcion denies the Incarnation and the Resurrection.
Marcion concludes that there must be two gods, a lower Demiurge who created the universe (i.e. the God of Judaism), and the supreme God made known for the first time by Jesus Christ.
Marcion rejects the oneness of the indivisible Trinity.
His dualism causes him to reject the divine origin of the Old Testament.
Pope Pius I excommunicates Marcion (Marcionism). 144 AD
Vologeses III (Arsaces XXVII). Parthian Empire.
Renewal of war between Parthia and the Roman Empire. 149 AD
Celsus. Platonic philosopher.
“The Word of Truth”. 150 AD
Anti-Christian treatise in which he rejects the oneness of God the Father and God the Son.
Ptolemy (Claudius Ptolemaeus). Greek.
“Geographia”. Writings on geography. Completed. 150 AD
Mostly based on the travels of the Roman legions throughout the
known world.
Ptolemy (c.100-c.170). Greek.
Discovers many geometrical results with applications to astronomy. c. 150 AD
Goths migrate to the Black Sea. 150 AD
Battle of Lyons. 151 AD
Albinus revolts in Britannia.
He proclaims himself to be Roman Emperor.
He is killed in the Battle of Lyons.
Uprising against Roman rule in Roman Egypt. 153 AD
St. Justin Martyr.
Publishes his “First Apology” for the Christians. c. 154 AD
Saint Anicetus. Eleventh Pope. 155-166 AD
A Syrian from Emessa.
Anicetus actively opposes Marcionism (the Marcion Heresy), and Gnosticism (the Gnostic Heresy).
Rome fights an inconclusive war with Vologesus of Parthia. 155 AD
Martyrdom of St. Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 69-155). February 23, 155 AD
Polycarp, a Bishop, refuses to sacrifice to the genius of the Emperor.
He refuses to deny the Lord Jesus Christ. He is speared to death.
St. Polycarp of Smyrna had been a disciple of St. John the Apostle.
Appearance of the heresiarch Montanus in Ardaban (Mysia). 156 AD
Marks the appearance of Montanism, a heresy originating in Phrygia.
Named after the founder (heresiarch) Montanus.
Earthquake destroys the cities of Pontius and Macedonia, Asia Minor. 157 AD
Thousands die.
Birth of Tertullian. c. 160 AD
Stoicism is now a dominant philosophy in Rome. c. 160 AD
Famine and starvation throughout England. 160 AD
Number of thousands of deaths is unknown.
Arrival of Valentinian at Rome. 160 AD
Valentinian Ptolemaeus.
Letter written to a catechumen named Flora. c.160 AD
Valentinian Heresy.
Galen of Pergamum. Greek physician.
First to use the pulse rate as an indicator of health and sickness. c.160 AD
Buddhism splits into two schools. c.160 AD
Mahayana (the Great Vehicle) and Hinayana (the Lesser Vehicle).
Death of Roman Emperor Antonius Pius. 161 AD
He is succeeded by his nephew Marcus Aurelius who shares power
with Lucius Aurelius Verus.
Reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antonius. 161-180 AD
During his rule of the Roman Empire, Marcus Aurelius is forced to wage numerous wars
through a series of disastrous years of floods, failing harvests, famine, barbarian raids,
internal revolts, universal pestilence, disease, extreme cold weather and heat, and alternating
heavy rains and drought.
Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. Bronze. c. 161-180 AD
Parthian Wars. 162-165 AD
Lucius Aurelius Verus is successful in the war against the Parthians.
Verus’ troops make Mesopotamia a Roman Province and gain control of Armenia.
Outbreak of Great Plague in the Roman Empire. 164 AD
Spreads from the Middle East to the West.
Begins and lasts until the death of Marcus Aurelius (180 AD).
Plague also devastates Asia Minor.
Fifth or Aurelian Persecution of the Christians. 165-180 AD
Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius launches one of the bitterest of all attacks against the followers
of Jesus Christ.
Avidius Cassius, Governor of Syria.
Sacks Seleucia and Ctesiphon. 165 AD
Martyrdom of St. Justin the Martyr (c.100-165). 165 AD
Under Marcus Aurelius, he is scourged and beheaded for refusing to reject Jesus Christ and
sacrifice to the pagan gods of Rome.
Martyrdom of Saint Felicitas at Rome. c. 165 AD
Saint Soterus (St. Soter). Twelfth Pope. 166-174 AD
Birthplace: Campania, Italy.
Opposes the Montanist Heresy (Montanism).
Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Sends gifts to Huan Ti, the Emperor of China. 166 AD
The Marcomanni, tribesmen from what is now Bohemia, with their allies, cross the Danube River
and invade the Roman Empire. 166 AD
They penetrate as far as Aquileia.
Beginning of attempted invasions of the Empire by barbarian hoards.
Battle of Aquileia. 166 AD
In 166 three Germanic tribes swarm across the Alps in northeastern Italy.
These are the Marcomanni tribesmen from Bohemia, the Quadi from Moravia, and the Iazyges of Hungary. They attack Aquileia at the head of the Adriatic Sea. Marcus Aurelius throws back the invaders.
The following year (167) Marcus Aurelius raises the siege of Aquileia.
First Marcomanni War. 167-175 AD
(Wars of the Marcomanni and Quadi).
Outbreak of fierce persecution of the Christians in Asia Minor. 167 AD
Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Aurelius Verus, his co-emperor, conquer the Marcomanni, that are
living to the north of the Danube River but occupying north western Italy for several years. 168 AD
Plague. Roman Empire. 169 AD
Second of a series of great plagues.
Number of deaths is unknown.
Death of Lucius Aurelius Verus (age 39). Co-emperor. 169 AD
Marcus Aurelius is left to rule alone.
The Marcomanni, Germanic barbarians, break the peace that had been concluded the previous year with the Roman Empire.
The Marcomanni will soon be annihilated by a Roman army.
Pausanias of Magnesia. Greek historian.
“Periegesis”. Ten volumes. c. 170 AD
A guide through Greece, including a history of Greek art.
Ptolemy (c.100-c.170). Greek.
Draws 26 maps of various countries of the known world. c.170 AD
The Marcomanni, Germanic barbarians, are pushed back from Italy
during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. 171 AD
Marcus Aurelius. Stoic philosopher.
During his campaigns against the Marcomanni, Marcus Aurelius,
writes his work, the “Meditations,” which he wrote in Greek. 171 AD
The “Meditations” is a classic of pagan philosophy written during the early
Christian era.
Marcus Aurelius. Stoic philosopher.
“Meditations”. Written in Greek. c. 171 AD
Marcus Aurelius.
Makes peace with the Marcomanni tribes.
He allows them to settle the plague ravaged Roman territories. 172 AD
Marcus Aurelius defeats the Quadi tribe. 173 AD
Saint Eleutherius (or Eleuterius, Greek).
Thirteenth Pope. 174-189 AD
Avidius Cassius, governor of Syria, revolts. 175 AD
His army is crushed.
Marcus Aurelius.
Returns back to the city of Rome after his successful military campaign north of the Alps. 176 AD
Catechetical School of Alexandria is founded. c. 176 AD
First headmaster is Pantaenus, an Athenian Stoic converted to Christianity.
Later his student Clement will succeed him (from 190-203 AD).
The school teaches subjects such as Theology, Philosophy, the Old Testament, the New Testament, Logic, Mathematics, Exegesis, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew.
Persecution of Christians under Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius begins once again throughout
the Roman Empire. 177 AD
The fish becomes a secret symbol of Christianity. c. 177 AD
Christianity is first introduced to Celtic leaders at Lyons. 177 AD
The Martyrs of Lyons. 177 AD
St. Pothinus (also Photinus), the bishop of Lyons, and forty seven other Christians are stoned,
tortured to incredible extremes, and then put to death during the persecution of Marcus Aurelius.
Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius makes his son Commodus co-emperor of the Roman Empire. 177 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Cecilia. 177 AD
Cecilia is given the choice of sacrificing to heathen gods or of being killed.
She refuses to reject the indivisible Trinity, and is killed.
Second Marcomanni War. 178-180 AD
The Marcomanni and their allies renew their war with Roman Empire.
St. Irenaeus (c.125-c. 203).
Returns to Lyons and becomes Bishop of Lyons.
Fiercely opposes the Gnostic Heresy which he will refute in a five book treatise, “Adversus Omnes Haereses” (c.189).
Death of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (age 58) at Vindobona (modern day Vienna). 180 AD
Nearly a century of war and disorder begins in the Roman Empire. 180 AD
Commodus, son of Marcus Aurelius, becomes sole Roman Emperor. 180 AD
Commodus rules 180-192 AD.
Canon of the sacred writings of Christianity. c. 180 AD
Inclusion of the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Revived Carthage in North Africa (previously destroyed by the
Romans in 146 BC) begins to flourish as a major Roman city. c. 180 AD
Column of Marcus Aurelius. c. 180-196 AD
Building of a Triumphal Column at Rome depicting scenes from the Marcomanni War.
Commodus. Roman emperor.
Continuation of murder of Christians throughout the Roman Empire. 180 AD
First Christians are martyred at Scillium (north Africa). 180 AD
The Acts of the Scillitan Saints. 180 AD
These are the earliest surviving writings concerning Christian martyrs in Roman Africa.
These writings are dated July 17, 180 AD.
Theophilus and Tatian. c. 180 AD
Arrival of Clement in Alexandria. c. 180 AD
The Antonine Wall in Roman Britain is breached. 180 AD
The Romans, defeated in Scotland, fall back on Hadrian’s Wall.
After the death of Marcus Aurelius (180), the Romans under Commodus give up the war against
the Marcomanni in the north. 181 AD
Birth of Origen (c.183-254) at Alexandria. c. 183 AD
Assassination attempt on Roman Emperor Commodus. c. 183 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Apollonius the Apologist. c. 185 AD
A Roman senator, after converting from paganism to Christianity, he
refuses to renounce the doctrine that Jesus Christ is God manifested
in the flesh.
He is sentenced to death and then beheaded.
St. Demetrius (126-231).
Made Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt. 188 AD
St. Irenaeus of Lyons.
“Adversus Omnes Haereses”. c. 189 AD
Plague. Roman Empire. 189 AD
This is the third of a series of terrible plagues.
Kills as many as 200 persons a day in Rome.
Saint Victor I. 14th Pope. First Latin Pope. 189-199 AD
Clement of Alexandria (Titus Flavius Clement).
Head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. 190 AD
Clement succeeded upon the death of Pantaenus.
Clement will be head from 190 until 203.
Theodotus (from Constantinople), the originator of the heresy of “dynamic monarchianism”,
brings his false doctrines to Rome.
Theodotus teaches that until His Baptism, Jesus Christ lived the life of a regular person, with the difference that He was supremely virtuous.
The Holy Spirit, then descended upon Him, and from that moment, He worked miracles, without
however becoming divine.
Theodotus will be excommunicated by Pope St. Victor I.
Galen. Greek physician.
Extracts plant juices for medicinal purposes. c. 190 AD
Vologeses IV (Arsaces XXVIII). Parthian Empire. 191 AD
Martyrdom of St. Pellegrino (Peregrine) the Martyr under the rule of Roman Emperor Commodus. August 25, 192 AD
Roman Emperor Commodus finally goes insane. 192 AD
Murder of Commodus. 192 AD
Commodus' favorite mistress Marcia and his chamberlain Eclectus discover their names on an
execution list.
They hire a wrestler to strangle Commodus to death. End of the Antonine line of Roman Emperors.
Publius Pertinax is chosen against his will by the Roman Senate to succeed Commodus as Roman Emperor. 193 AD
Murder of Roman Emperor Pertinax by the Praetorian Guard who
choose Didius Julian instead. 193 AD
Provincial Roman armies in Pannonia, Britain, and Syria back rival claimants to imperial power. Septimius Severus, governor of Pannonia (now mostly Hungary) enters Rome in full battle array and ends the reign of Didius Julian after two months. 193 AD
Septimius Severus has Didius Julianus put to death.
Septimus Severus is Roman Emperor. 193-211 AD
Caesar Severus is a follower of Serapis, an Egyptian god of the dead.
Continued persecution of the Christians under Septimus Severus.
Conversion of Quintus Tertullian to Christianity. 193 AD
Civil Wars of the Roman Empire. 194-197 AD
Septimius Severus defeats his rival, Pescennius Niger, at Issus (now in Asia Minor), killing him. 194 AD
Septimus Severus sacks Byzantium. 196 AD
Barbarians overrun northern Britain, and damage Hadrian’s Wall. 196 AD
Tertullian. “Apology”. c.197 AD
Septimus Albinus, governor of Britain, and claimant to the imperial throne, proclaims himself
Emperor in Britain. 197 AD
Septimus Severus.
Defeats and kills his other rival Septimus Albinus, the governor of Britain, at the Battle of Lyon (Lugdunum). 197 AD
Septimus Severus.
Crushes a Parthian rebellion against Roman rule. 198 AD
Septimus Severus reaches Ctesiphon, conquers and reorganizes the Roman province of Mesopotamia.
The primacy of the Bishop of Rome in the Christian Church is re-affirmed under Pope Victor I
(189-199 AD). 199 AD
Saint Zephyrinus. 15th Pope. 199-217 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Defends the apostolic doctrine of the Oneness of God and the
Indivisible Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Sixth persecution of Christians under Roman Emperor Septimus Severus.
His objective is to establish one common religion throughout the Roman Empire. c.199-211 AD
Clement and Origen, Christian theologians, are teaching in Alexandria, Egypt. c.200-230 AD
Formation of the Neo-Hebrew language. c. 200 AD
First appearance of the Franks in Europe. c. 200 AD
The name of Franks (or free men) is given to a military confederacy
of the lower Rhine and the Weser.
The Goths enter into Dacia, and after crossing the Danube River,
attack the Roman provinces. 200 AD
Beginning of the invasion of Afghanistan by the Huns. 200-240 AD
Period of Neo-Platonism, the last of the Greek philosophies. c. 200 AD
Jingu, the Japanese Empress, sends a fleet to invade Korea. 200 AD
At the sight of the Japanese ships, the Korean people surrender immediately and offer tribute.
Oldest Mayan temples in Central America. c. 200 AD
Roman Emperor Septimus Severus issues an edict against conversion
from any religion to Christianity. Persecutions continue. 202 AD
Martyrdom of St. Leonides of Alexandria. He is beheaded. 202 AD
Martyrdom of St. Potamiana. 202 AD
She is lowered feet first into a cauldron of boiling pitch.
Martyrdom of St. Perpetua and St. Felicitas (at Carthage). March 7, 203 AD
They are sworded to death for refusing to deny that Jesus Christ is God.
They have four companions with them who are also martyred.
They are Saturus, Secundulus, Saturninus, and Revocatus.
Martyrdom of St. Irenaeus (125-203). c. 203 AD
Martyred at Lyons, during the persecution of the Christians under the rule of Roman Emperor
Septimus Severus.
Origen.
Takes charge of the Catechetical School at Alexandria, Egypt. 203 AD
Arch of Septimus Severus is raised in Rome. 203 AD
British revolt against Roman rule in Britannia. 205 AD
Plotinus (205-270 AD) is born. Greek speaking Egyptian. 205 AD
Will write “The Enneads”.
Septimus Severus.
Defeats Vologeses IV (Arsaces XXVIII) of the Parthian Empire. 207 AD
Septimus Severus sacks the chief cities of the Parthian Empire.
Tertullian.
Undergoes a radical transformation and joins the Montanists. c. 207 AD
Septemus Severus.
Goes to Britannia to defeat the British revolt. 208 AD
Roman Emperor Septimus Severus campaigns in Britannia against the revolt of the Caledonians (Scots). 208-211 AD
Septimus Severus.
Repairs Hadrian’s Wall that had been built across Britannia. 208 AD
The birth of Cyprian. c.210 AD
Suppression of the British revolt against the Romans. 211 AD
Emperor Septimus Severus dies at Eboracum (modern day York). 211 AD
Septimus Severus is succeeded by his sons Augustus (known as Caracalla) and Geta.
Caracalla (Antoninus Bassianus), the eldest son of Septimus Severus, murders Geta, his brother
and co-ruler, and most of the latter’s followers.
Caracalla is Roman Emperor. 212 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor Caracalla. 212-217 AD
Caracalla builds the immense Baths of Caracalla at Rome. 212-216 AD
Edict of Caracalla.
“Civis Romanus Sum”. 212 AD
Caracalla gives Roman citizenship to every freeborn subject in the
Roman Empire (all provincials).
Caracalla fends off the Alemanni along the Rhine River in Southern Germany and the Goths farther east. 214 AD
Death of St. Clement of Alexandria (Titus Flavius Clement). c.215 AD
St. Clement is one of the Greek Fathers of the Church.
Birth of Mani (215-275), founder of the Manichaeans (Manichaenism), at Mardinu, Babylonia. 215 AD
Caracalla annexes Armenia. 216 AD
Artabanus V (Arsaces XXX), is the last Arsacidaen king of the Parthian Empire. 216-226 AD
After struggles with the Parthians along the Euphrates River, Roman Emperor Caracalla is murdered. 217 AD
Saint Callistus I (also written St. Callixtus I). 16th Pope. 217-222 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Reign of Roman Emperor Mauretanian Macrinus (age 53). 217-218 AD
M. Opilius Macrinus is beheaded in a mutiny near Antioch. 218 AD
Proclamation of Emperor Heliogabalus (Elagabalus) of Emesa, Caracalla’s nephew, by the army. 218 AD
Elagabalus is a priest of the Syrian Sun god.
Elagabalus (Heliogabalus), M. Aurelius Antoninus, first cousin of Caracalla, is Roman Emperor. His mother, Julia Soaemias Bassiana, actually rules. 218-222 AD
Introduction of the ancient Syrian cult of Baal at Rome. 218 AD
The Goths invade the Balkan Peninsula and Asia Minor. c. 220 AD
The Goths threaten the Balkans and Asia Minor. Until 238 AD.
End of the Han Dynasty in China. 220 AD
Period of the Three Kingdoms in China (until 265 AD). 220 AD
China is divided into three competing dynasties.
The three kingdoms are the Shu, the Wu, and the Wei.
China will be invaded for the next four hundred years.
Emperor Elagabalus and his mother Julia Soaemias Bassiana are put to death for their atrocities
by the Roman Praetorian guards. 222 AD
He is succeeded by his adopted son, the 14 year old Bassianus, who takes the name Alexander
Severus.
Emperor Alexander Severus rules the Roman Empire. 222-235 AD
Great spread of oriental paganism, from the east, especially the ancient Syrian cult of Baal.
Saint Urban I. 17th Pope. 222-230 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Battle of Hormizdegan (also called Hormuz). 226 AD
The Parthians are crushed. Artabanus V, the last Arsacid king of Parthia is killed.
End of the Parthian Empire (Arsacids). 226 AD
The Persian rebel Ardashir I (Artaxerxes) overthrows the Parthian Empire.
Ardashir I founds the New Persian Empire under Sassanid (Sassanian) Dynasty (Sassanid Empire).
Makes Zoroastrianism the official religion of the new empire.
The Sassanian Empire will rule Persia until it is destroyed by the moslems in 641.
New Persian Empire of the Sassanids (the Sassanian Empire). 226-641 AD
Reign of Artaxerxes (Ardashir I) of the New Persian Sassanian (Sassanid) Empire. 226-240 AD
Sassanian-Roman War. 229-232 AD
Ardashir I of the Sassanian Empire wars with the Roman Empire and seizes Armenia after the
death of its king Chosroes.
Death of St. Urban (Pope Urban I) at Rome. May 23, 230 AD
Saint Pontianus (St. Pontian). 18th Pope. 230-235 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Christian catacomb paintings are at their height. c. 230 AD
Emperor Sujin, the first known ruler of Japan. 230 AD
St. Pontian (d. 236). Pope.
Holds a synod at Rome. 230-235 AD
Condemnation of Origenism at Alexandria, Egypt. 231-232 AD
Sassanian-Roman War establishes the Sassanian Empire as the major power in the east. 232 AD
The Romans expel Ardashir I of the Sassanian Empire from Mesopotamia and Cappadocia in Asia Minor. 232 AD
St. Pontian (Pope).
Resigns his office as Pope while he is a prisoner at Sardinia. 235 AD
St. Antherus (Anterus). 19th Pope. 235-236 AD
Birthplace: Greece.
Roman Emperor Alexander Severus.
Purchases peace from the Alamanni tribes that are on the Rhine River boundary of the Roman Empire. 235 AD
Murder of Emperor Alexander Severus by his own troops on the Rhine River in an army meeting. 235 AD
Begins a period of military chaos.
Rome’s Rhine legions elect Maximinus (Thrax) as the next Roman Emperor. 235 AD
Maximinus is a Thracian.
Reign of Roman Emperor Caius Julius Verus Maximinus (the Thracian). 235-238 AD
He is 62 years old.
Seventh persecution of the followers of Jesus Christ under Roman Emperor Maximin Thrax. 235-238 AD
Martyrdom of St. Hippolytus. 235 AD
Hippolytus and twenty other Christians of his household are beaten
to death with leaden whips.
Martyrdom of St. Pontian (Pope 230-235). 236 AD
He is beaten to death in the mines at Sardinia.
Martyrdom of St. Antherus (19th Pope). January 3, 236 AD
St. Fabian. 20th Pope. 236-250 AD
Birthplace: Rome. Succeeds St. Antherus.
A Roman, he is elected Pope on January 10, 236.
Martyrdom of St. Barbara of Nicomedia (Bythnia, Asia Minor).
She refuses to deny the oneness of the indivisible Trinity. December 4, 237 AD
St. Gregory Thaumaturgus (c. 213-268).
He is elected to be the Bishop of Neocaesarea by the seventeen
Christians that are in the city. c. 238 AD
The Goths begin their invasion of the Eastern part of the Roman Empire. 238 AD
The Roman provinces in north Africa reject Maximinus the Thracian, and elect M. Antonius
Gordianus, their proconsul. 238 AD
Gordianus is 80 years old and a descendant of Trajan.
The supporters of Maximinus the Thracian besiege Gordianus at Carthage for one month. 238 AD
Assassination of Emperor Maximinus the Thracian in his tent by his own troops. June 238 AD
Maximinius is succeeded by M. Antonius Gordianus I. 238 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor Antonius Gordianus I. 238 AD
While at Carthage, and in his eightieth year, he strangles himself.
Reign of Roman Emperor Gordianus II (son of Gordianus I). 238 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor Pupienus Maximus. 238 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor Balbinus (co-regent). 238 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor Gordianus III. 238-244 AD
Shapur I.
Rules the Sassanian Empire (the new Persian Empire). 240-271 AD
Council of Carthage. 240-250 AD
The Franks invade Gaul. 240 AD
Shapur I of the Neo-Persian Empire starts a war with the Roman Empire by invading Roman Mesopotamia. 241 AD
First war between the Roman Empire and the Sassanian Empire (the new Persian Empire). 241-244 AD
Manes (Persian). Founder of Manichaenism.
Begins teaching Manichaenism in Persia. c. 242 AD
Palace of Shapur (Sassanian). Ctesiphon. 242 AD
Furius Timesitheus. Roman prefect.
Drives out Persian forces from Antioch. 243 AD
Gordianus III. Roman Emperor.
Drives the Persian army across the Euphrates River. 244 AD
The Romans defeat the Persians in Mesopotamia in the Battle of Resaena.
Praetorian prefect, Marcus Philippus the Arabian, kills Emperor
Gordian III and becomes Emperor of Rome. 244 AD
Reign of the Roman Emperor Marcus Philippus of Arabia. 244-249 AD
Anti-Christian emperor.
Marcus Philippus (Arabian) makes peace with the Sassanian (Persian) Empire. 244 AD
Conversion of Saint Cyprian (c. 200-258). c. 246 AD
Cyprian’s full name is Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus.
A pagan rhetorician, teacher, and lawyer, he is converted to
Christianity by Caecilius, a Catholic priest.
The Goths cross the Danube River in a great raid. 247 AD
St. Dionysius the Great of Alexandria (d. 265).
Elected Bishop of Alexandria (247-264). 247 AD
Saint Cyprian (c.200-258).
Elected Bishop of Carthage (248-258). 248 AD
Rome celebrates the 1,000th anniversary of its founding. 248 AD
Rome was founded in 753 BC.
Martyrdom of Saint Cyriaca (also known as Dominica). 249 AD
She refuses to deny the Divinity of Jesus Christ and is scourged to death.
Martyrdom of St. Apollonia. 249 AD
Martyred at Alexandria during the reign of Emperor Marcus Philippus.
When Apollonia does not renounce Jesus Christ, she is tortured.
Her teeth are knocked out, and she is burned to death in a fire.
The following three others are martyred with her.
St. Metras is first tortured and then stoned to death.
St. Quinta is dragged through the streets and then is scourged to death.
St. Serapion is thrown from the roof of his house by the rioting mob.
Decius, Roman commander.
Puts down an army revolt in Pannonia. 249 AD
Roman troops proclaim Decius emperor.
Marcus Phillipus advances to Verona to oppose Decius. 249 AD
Marcus Philippus, the Arabian, is killed in battle by troops of the Roman
general Decius. Decius becomes Roman Emperor. 249 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor C. Messius Quintus Traianus Decius.
He is of Illyrian origin. 249-251 AD
Decian Persecution (249-251). January 20, 250 AD
Eighth persecution of the Christians.
Roman Emperor Decius orders the systematic general and indiscriminate persecution of all the
followers of Jesus Christ (Christians).
Roman Emperor Decius.
Orders all provincial officials to require all persons in their domains to sacrifice to the Roman
gods and to the genius of Caesar. 250 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Mercurius. c. 250 AD
During Emperor Decius’ persecution of the followers of Jesus Christ.
He is first tortured and then beheaded for refusing Emperor Decius’ order to participate in the sacrifices to the pagan gods of the Roman Empire.
Mercurius had just led a Roman army in a great victory against the barbarians that were attacking Rome.
Birth of Saint Anthony of Egypt (250-356) at Koman, near Memphis, Egypt, near the Red Sea. 250 AD
St. Fabian (Pope).
St. Fabian sends out seven bishops from Rome into pagan Gaul. 250 AD
St. Fabian sends St. Gatien to Tours, St. Trophimus to Arles, St. Paul to Narbonne, St. Saturnin to Toulouse, St. Denis (d. 258) to Paris, St. Austromoine to Clermont, and St. Martial to Limoges.
Martyrdom of St. Fabian (Pope 237-250) in the early stages of the Decian persecution of the Christians. January 20, 250 AD
Worship of the gods of Rome is made compulsory. 250 AD
Bubonic Plague. Roman Empire. 250-265 AD
In Rome alone, 5000 victims die each day.
Many cities are completely depopulated.
Diophantus of Alexandria. Greek mathematician.
“Arithmetica”. Writes an early treatise on algebra. c.250AD
Includes the first systematic use of algebraic symbols.
Many problems involve solutions in integers only (Diophantine Equations).
Martyrdom of St. Miniato (Armenian: Minias). October 25, 250 AD
Brought before Emperor Decius (rules 249-251) at Florence, Italy.
He refuses to reject Christ, is tortured, and then beheaded.
Defeat of the Goths in Thrace. 251 AD
Roman Emperor Decius and his son are defeated and killed fighting the Goths at Silistria in the
swamps of the Dobrudja (Dacia). 251 AD
General Gallus, Decius’ successor, makes peace with the Goths. 251 AD
Reign of Emperor Gallus and coemperor Hostilianus, son of Decius. 251 AD
Gallus kills his coemperor, son of Decius, and becomes sole Emperor of the Roman Empire.
Gallus rules 251-253.
Saint Cornelius. 21st Pope. 251-253 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
The Goths, under their king Ostrogotha, for the first time force their
way into the Roman Empire by crossing the Danube River. 251 AD
Gothic invasion of the Roman Empire. 251-269 AD
St. Cyprian (c. 200-258). Bishop of Carthage.
Convenes a council at Carthage. 251 AD
It is at this council that Cyprian read his famous “De Unitate Ecclesiae”.
Martyrdom of Saint Agatha at Catania, Sicily. February 5, 251 AD
She is subjected to all forms of indignities and excruciating tortures.
She is racked, they cut off her breasts, and then roll her over
red hot coals until she is dead.
Synod of Western Bishops in Rome. October 251 AD
Condemns the teachings of Novatian (the Novatian Heresy) , and excommunicates him and
all of his followers.
Novatian teaches that after Baptism there can be no forgiveness of sins.
Carthage is stricken by a terrible plague. 252-254 AD
The Christians are blamed for the plague.
Devastation of Pontus by the barbarian Goths. 252-254 AD
The Franks, the Goths, and the Alemanni break through the borders of the Roman Empire. c. 252 AD
Roman Emperor Trebonianus Gallus.
Starts up the persecution of the Christians again. 253 AD
Martyrdom of St. Cornelius (Pope) during the persecutions ordered by the pagan Roman Emperor Trebonianus Gallus. 253 AD
Roman soldiers, campaigning along the Danube River, elect Marcus Aemilianus, the governor
of Pannonia, as their Emperor. 253 AD
Aemilianus marches on Rome to meet his opponent Trebonianus Gallus.
Aemilianus defeats Trebonianus Gallus at Interamna Nahors (Umbria). Gallus flees to the north,
but is killed by his own troops. 253 AD
Saint Lucius I. 22nd Pope. 253-254 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Reaffirms the condemnation of the Novatian Heresy (Novatianism) which refused the Sacraments to penitent “lapsi”.
Marcus Aemilianus rules the Roman Empire. 253 AD
Martyrdom of St. Messalina. January 19, 254 AD
She refuses to reject Jesus Christ and sacrifice to the pagan gods.
She is clubbed to death.
Aemilianus is put to death after a reign of four months. 254 AD
Publius Valerianus (Valerian), aged 60, commander in Germania,
is elected Emperor by the Roman Senate and soldiers. 254 AD
His son, Gallienus, is co-Emperor.
Reign of Roman Emperor Valerian. 254-258 AD
Valerian seeks to execute all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons
throughout the Roman Empire.
Saint Stephen I. 23rd Pope. 254-257 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Martyrdom of St. Christophorus. July 25, 254 AD
The plague which appeared two years before, now spreads through Egypt and across Europe. 255 AD
St. Cyprian (c.200-258). Bishop of Carthage.
“De Mortalitate”. 255 AD
Valerian fails to stop the Franks, the Goths, and the Alemanni that
are advancing into the Roman Empire. c. 256 AD
The Visigoths and Ostrogoths invade the Black Sea area. 257 AD
Death of Saint Stephen I (Pope). 257 AD
Ninth or Valerian Persecution of Christians (257-258). Begins. 257 AD
Roman Emperor Valerian orders all Christian worship to cease throughout
the Roman Empire.
Invasion of Roman Spain by the Franks. 257 AD
Division of the Goths into Visigoths and Ostrogoths. 257 AD
Saint Sixtus II. 24th Pope. 257-258 AD
Birthplace: Greece.
Edict of Persecution (Emperor Valerian). 258 AD
Emperor Valerian, in an Imperial decree, orders that all Christian clergy and men of ranks Bishop, priests, and deacons should be degraded and lose their property. If, having been deprived of their possessions, they should still remain Christian, then they must be put to death.
Continued murder of the followers of Jesus Christ.
Invasion of Upper Italy by the Alemanni and the Suevi. 258 AD
Second Persian War with Rome. 258-260 AD
Shapur I of Persia.
Advances as far as Cappadocia in Asia Minor. 258 AD
Milan. 258 AD
Invading Alemanni and Suevi are defeated at Milan.
Roman rule is preserved in Northern Italy.
Martyrdom of Saint Sixtus II. 24th Pope. August 6, 258 AD
Saint Sixtus II is seized, condemned to death, and executed during Emperor Valerian’s persecution.
Along with Sixtus II, six deacons of the Church are tortured and executed. Their names are Agapitus, Felicissimus, Januarius, Magnus, Stephen, and Vincent.
Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence (Laurentius) in Rome. August 10, 258 AD
During Emperor Valerian’s persecution of the Christians, St. Laurence
is bound to a red-hot gridiron and roasted to death over a slow fire.
Martyrdom of Saint Cyprian (c. 200-258), Bishop of Carthage.
Cyprian persists in his refusal to sacrifice to the pagan gods of Rome.
His crime is the refusal to worship Caesar, which is a sacrilege.
He is beheaded. September 14, 258 AD
Martyrdom of St. Denis (Greek: Dionysius). October 9, 258 AD
He is beheaded near Paris.
Shapur I, second Sassanid ruler (Persian ruler).
Invades Mesopotamia. 258 AD
Shapur I. Sassanian Empire.
Takes Antioch. 258 AD
Gallienus (son of Valerian and co-Emperor).
Becomes sole Roman Emperor. 258 AD
Reign of Gallienus: 258-268.
Saint Dionysius. 25th Pope. 259-268 AD
Defends (260) the doctrine of the three persons of the indivisible Trinity.
Condemns the Sabellian Heresy (Sabellianism).
Shapur I of the Neo-Persian Empire ravages Syria. 259 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Fructuosus. 259 AD
When Fructuosus refuses to reject Jesus Christ and sacrifice to the Roman gods, he is first
tortured and then burned to death.
Battle of Edessa. 260 AD
(Part of the Persian Wars of the Roman Empire).
The army of Valerian is destroyed at Edessa by Shapur I of Persia.
Roman Emperor Valerian is captured in battle by Shapur I of Persia.
It is believed that Valerian was flayed alive while he was in captivity.
The Roman Empire comes under attack from the barbarian Vandals, Goths, Alemanni, Palmyrans, Berbers, and Franks in addition to the plague. 260 AD
Seizure of Roman territory in the Near and Middle East by the Sassanian Empire (Persia). 260 AD
Paul of Samosata, false bishop of Antioch in Syria, and heretic of the Church, denies the divinity
of Jesus Christ. 260 AD
He rejects the indivisible Trinity.
He teaches that Christ was a regular person until the Holy Ghost descended upon him at his baptism (Adoptionism).
St. Lucian.
Founds the exegetical School of Antioch. c. 260 AD
Rival Gothic Empire is established. 260 AD
Death of Saint Felix of Nola. January 14, 260 AD
St. Paul of Thebes becomes a hermit. c. 260 AD
Roman Emperor Gallienus.
Issues edict of toleration for Christians. 261 AD
Edict will be rejected by the next emperor (268).
Goths are in Macedonia and Asia Minor. 262 AD
Sack of Ephesus. 262 AD
Odenathus of Palmyra.
Defeats the Sassanians (Sassanian Empire). 263 AD
Seizes Syria and Mesopotamia for the Roman Empire.
Drives the Persians back across the Euphrates River.
Invasion of Gaul by the Franks. 263 AD
Synod of Antioch. 264-265 AD
Against Paul of Samosata, rejects the Sabellian Heresy, and rejects Tritheism (the Tritheistic Heresy).
The Tritheistic Heresy maintains that the Trinity consists of three gods.
Western (Ch’in) take over Wei state in China. 265 AD
China begins to be reunited under the Western Tsin (Ch’in) Dynasty.
Will continue until the White Huns begin to invade in 317.
Condemnation of Sabellianism (the Sabellian Heresy). 266 AD
Assasination of Odenaethus of Palmyra. 267 AD
Septima Zenobia. Queen of Palmyra.
Declares independence of Palmyra from Rome. 267 AD
The Goths sweep through Asia Minor. 267 AD
The Goths sack Athens, Corinth, and Sparta. 268 AD
Synod of Antioch. 268 AD
Formal condemnation of the heresy of Paul of Samosata.
This is a continuation of the Synod of Antioch of 264-265.
Roman Emperor Gallienus.
Killed by his own troops at Mediolanum (Milan, Italy). 268 AD
Claudius II.
Raised to the throne of Roman Emperor (to 270) by his soldiers. 268 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor Flavius Claudius II (b. 214-d.270). 268-270 AD
He is a fierce enemy of Christianity.
Defeat of the Alemanni by Emperor Claudius II. 268 AD
Death of Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus (c.213-268). 268 AD
He is also referred to as the Apostle of Pontus.
Septima Zenobia. Queen of Palmyra.
Conquers Syria, Mesopotamia, and parts of Egypt. 268-269 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Valentine.
Beheaded in Rome under Emperor Claudius Gothicus. Feb. 14, 269 AD
Septima Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, captures Roman Egypt. 269 AD
The great library of Alexandria is partly burned.
Palmyra now has control of Rome’s grain supply.
Battle of Naissus (Nish, Nis). 269 AD
The Goths are crushed by Emperor Claudius Gothicus in the Battle of Naissus (Nis, Yugoslavia).
During the Gothic invasion of 251-269 AD, the total number of war dead is over 120,000.
Saint Felix I. 26th Pope. 269-274 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Claudius II, Roman Emperor, dies of the plague. Jan. 270 AD
Quintillius (Claudius’ brother) becomes Roman Emperor. 270 AD
Quintillius is deserted by his troops and commits suicide.
He is succeeded by Aurelianus (Aurelian). 270 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor Aurelianus (b. 212-d.275). 270-275 AD
Aurelian Persecution. Ninth persecution of Christians. 270-275 AD
The Marcomanni advance from Bohemia across the Danube River. 270 AD
Martyrdom of St. Prisca (also known as Priscilla). 270 AD
After suffering great and dreadful tortures, she is killed with a sword.
The Goths, in their progress southward, are joined by countless swarms
of barbarians. They are able to overwhelm the countries they invade. c. 270 AD
St. Helena (c.250-c.330).
Meets Roman General Constantius Chlorus. c.270 AD
They are married but will later divorce for political reasons.
Manes (216-276) spreads his false doctrines in Persia. 270 AD
Manes blends elements drawn from Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and Gnosticism.
He attempts to provide a universal religion for both the West and the East.
Battle of Placentia (Piacenza). 271 AD
In a fierce encounter, the Alemanni and their allies (the Jutungi, the Vandals, and others) are
driven back by the Romans.
Battle of Pavia. 271 AD
Defeat of the Alemanni and their allies at Pavia (Ticinum) by Aurelian.
Aurelian drives the Alemanni out of Italy.
Aurelian Wall. 271-286 AD
Great Wall around Rome is rebuilt by Roman Emperor Aurelian.
These massive brick faced defenses will be used until 1870.
The Romans drive the Goths from Illyricum and Thrace. 272 AD
Romans defeat the Goths on the Danube River.
St. Antony (Anthony) the Great (b.250-d.356).
Retires into the desert in a tomb, in a cemetery near Koman, Egypt.
He seeks to pursue the ascetic life. c. 272 AD
Famine. England. 272 AD
The famine is so terrible that people gnaw on the bark of trees.
Subjugation and destruction of the rebel Queen Zenobia’s state of Palmyra (in modern Syria)
by Aurelian. Zenobia is carried captive to Rome. 272 AD
End of the brief rise of Palmyra.
Aurelian recaptures Roman Egypt from the defeated Queen Zenobia of Palmyra. 273 AD
Aurelianus sacks Palmyra in response to a revolt. 273 AD
Aurelian concludes a peace with the Goths by sacrificing the province of Dacia to them and
retreating to Danubian borders. 274 AD
Emperor Aurelian (270-275).
Offers the Christians to include Jesus Christ in the pantheon of Roman gods along with Mithra
as a manifestation of the Unconquered Sun. 274 AD
The Christians reject his offer.
Aurelian now determines to root out Christianity from the Roman Empire.
Recapture of Roman Gaul by Aurelian in a struggle at Châlons. c.274 AD
Subjugation of the separate rival empire of Gaul by Aurelian.
Aurelian. Roman Emperor.
Assumption of the title “Dominus et Deum” (“Lord and God”). 274 AD
Aurelian introduces the sun cult of Emesa (Sol invictus) which ties to the cult of the Roman Emperor. The Sun cult is made a state wide religion.
Saint Eutychian (also called St. Eutychianus). 27th Pope. 275-283 AD
Birthplace: Tuscany, Italy.
Roman forces pull back from Transylvania and the Black Forest. 275 AD
The Danube and Rhine River form the borders of the Roman Empire.
Murder of Roman Emperor Aurelian by his own officers while they are on a march against Persia.275 AD
Aurelian is succeeded by the Roman senator, Tacitus (200-276).
During his reign, Aurelian had attempted to establish a form of solar monotheism - the worship of the “Unconquered Sun”, as the official cult of the Roman Empire.
Reign of Roman Emperor Tacitus (b.200-d.276). 275-276 AD
Elected by the Roman Senate and soldiers.
The Goths are in Pontus (in Asia Minor). c. 275 AD
The Roman Emperor Tacitus crushes the Alani and the Goths that are in Asia Minor. 275 AD
Roman Emperor Tacitus is killed by his own troops. 276 AD
Florianus (brother of Tacitus) is made Roman Emperor. 276 AD
Florianus is not recognized by the Roman Senate.
Murder of Florianus. 276 AD
Marcus Aurelius Probus becomes Roman Emperor. 276 AD
Probus is the choice of the Roman army.
Reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus. 276-282 AD
Emperor Probus drives the Alemanni, the Franks, the Vandals, and the
Burgundians from Roman Gaul.
Probus strengthens the wall between the Rhine and Danube Rivers.
Great Wall around Rome is built against barbarian attacks. 276 AD
Mani (c.216-c.276) is seized, flayed alive, and beheaded in Persia. 276 AD
Mani is the founder of Manichaeanism (the Manichaean Heresy) in Persia.
Extraordinary naval expedition of the Thracian Franks in the Mediterranean and northern seas. 277 AD
Birth of Constantine (b.c.280-d.337). c.280 AD
Beginning of the gradual conversion of Armenia from paganism to Christianity. c.280 AD
Beginning of the compilation of the Jewish Talmuds. c.280 AD
Martyrdom of St. Trophimus (French: Trophime) of Arles. 280 AD
He is the first Bishop of Arles.
Western Ch’in conquer South China. 280 AD
Sima Yao, leader of the Ch’in dynasty, attempts to unite China.
Roman Emperor M. Aurelius Probus is killed by his own troops at Sirmium.
Marcus Aurelius Carus becomes Roman Emperor. 282 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Carus. 282-283 AD
Roman Emperor Carus.
Subdues Mesopotamia, defeats the Persians, and takes Ctesiphon from the Persians under Varahran II. 283 AD
Emperor Carus is struck and killed by lightning at Ctesiphon. 283 AD
Carus is killed by lightning while on an expedition against the Parthians, as he is about to push his conquests across the Tigris River.
Numerian, the elder son of Carus, becomes Roman Emperor.
His brother Carinus is co-emperor. 283-284 AD
Continued persecution of the Christians under Emperor Numerian.
Saint Caius (also called St. Gaius). 28th Pope. 283-296 AD
Birthplace: Dalmatia.
Murder of Roman Emperor Numerian. 284 AD
The eastern army of the Roman Empire proclaims Gaius Aurelius Diocletianus (Diocletian) Roman Emperor. 284 AD
Reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian. 284-305 AD
Carinus, the co-emperor of Numerian, is killed by his troops while fighting in what is now Moravia. 285 AD
Marcus Aurelius Carausius, the commander of the Roman British fleet, proclaims himself independent Emperor of Britannia (286-293). 286 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Tibertius. 286 AD
Condemned to death by fire, and later beheaded.
Diocletian partitions the Roman Empire into two administrative divisions, the Western empire
and the Eastern empire. 286 AD
Diocletian rules in the East.
The general Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus (Maximian) rules in the West (Italy and north Africa) from Milan.
The Alemanni, the Franks, and the Burgundians cross the Rhine River. 286-288 AD
Revolt of Marcus Aurelius Carausius, commander of the Roman British fleet, who proclaimed
himself the emperor of Roman Britannia in 286. 287-293 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Maurice (Mauritius). c.287 AD
Maurice is an officer of the Theban Legion of Emperor Maximian.
He is killed for refusing to reject Jesus Christ and sacrifice to the Roman gods as ordered by the Emperor Diocletian.
Martyrdom of St. Quintinus (Quentin). 287 AD
He is first tortured and then beheaded.
Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. c.288 AD
On the orders of Emperor Diocletian, he is beaten to death with clubs.
Famine throughout the Roman province of Britannia. 288 AD
Thousands perish.
Amphitheater of Verona, Italy. 290 AD
Construction begins.
Death of St. Paul of Narbonne. c. 290 AD
He is the first Bishop of Narbonne, Gaul (France).
Conquest of the Burgundians by the Goths. 290 AD
Diocletian. Roman Emperor.
Appoints two Caesars named Constantius and Galerius. 292 AD
Narses. Rules Persia. 292-301 AD
Introduction of Roman Tetrarchy. 293 AD
Division of the Roman Empire into four parts.
General Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus (Maximian) rules the western part (Italy and north Africa) from Milan.
Diocletian rules the eastern part (Near and Middle East and Egypt) from Nicomedia (modern Izmut, Turkey).
Constantius Chlorus rules Spain, Gaul, and Britannia (Trèves and York).
Galerius rules Illyricum, Macedonia, and Greece (Sirmium).
Birth of St. Athanasius the Great (b.c.293-d.373 AD). c.293 AD
Carausius is defeated by a fellow rebel and rival general, Allectus, who claims Britain. 293 AD
Allectus rules 293-296.
Emperor Diocletian.
Crushes a revolt against Roman rule in Roman Egypt. 294 AD
Galerius defeats the Marcomanni. 295 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Susanna. 295 AD
She is beheaded after terrible tortures for refusing to reject Jesus Christ and worship pagan
gods, and marry Emperor Diocletian’s son-in-law Maximian.
Renewal of the war between Sassanian Persia and Rome. 296-297 AD
Saint Marcellinus. 29th Pope. 296-304 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Battle of Carrhae. 296 AD
Narses of Persia routes Galerius (Diocletian’s Caesar, or deputy) near
Carrhae, in northern Mesopotamia.
Galerius. 297 AD
Crushes Narses of Persia and recaptures Roman Mesopotamia.
Martyrdom of St. Felician and St. Primus, his brother. c. 297 AD
During the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian and Maximian. They are imprisoned, scourged, tortured, and executed at Nomentum near Rome, when they refuse to deny the divinity of Jesus Christ.
They refused to sacrifice to the Roman pagan gods.
The Romans conquer Armenia from the Persian Sassanians. 297 AD
Constantius (Diocletian’s caesar or deputy) ends the revolt of Allectus in the Roman province
of Britannia. Britannia is recovered. 296 AD
Conversion of Tiridates III, King of Armenia, from paganism to Christianity. 297 AD
Introduction of Christianity into Armenia. c.298 AD
Mainly as a result of the conversion of Tiridates III, King of Armenia.
The immense Baths of Diocletian are built in Rome. c. 298-303 AD
Constantius Chlorus (caesar of Diocletian).
Crushes the Alemanni barbarians in Roman Gaul. 298 AD
Martyrdom of St. Marcellus the Centurion. 298 AD
Tortured and executed by sword for refusing to reject Jesus Christ.
Beginning of the separate developments of the five Germanic dukedoms: Saxons, Franks,
Alemanni, Thuringians, and Goths. c.300 AD
The Lombards begin to move southward from the Lower Elbe. c.300 AD
They will arrive in Italy in 568.
Records of the earliest Christian religious plays. c.300 AD
Height of Roman power and influence in the Roman province of Britannia. 300-350 AD
Palace of Diocletian in Ragusa (modern Dubrovnik). Begun. c.300 AD
More than ten thousand Christians are condemned to work on the baths of Diocletian in Rome.
They are slaughtered by Diocletian’s orders. c.300 AD
Funan (Cambodia) is ruled by an Indian Brahman, who introduces Hinduism, Indian legal code,
and the alphabet of Central India. c. 300 AD
Mayan civilization in southern Mexico enters a period during which its influence spreads into what are now called Guatemala and Honduras.
This civilization will finally collapse c.900. c.300 AD
Hormisdas II. Rules Sassanian Persia. 301-309 AD
Diocletian at Nicomedia limits prices with an Edict of Maximum Prices.
Price controls are introduced by Rome because of inflation. 301 AD
Uprisings in the interior of the Roman Empire are suppressed. 301 AD
Tiridates III, the King of Armenia makes Christianity the state religion. 301 AD
He is the first ruler to do this.
Death of St. Gatien (Gratianus or Gatianus) at Tours. Dec. 20, 301 AD
He is the first Bishop of Tours, Gaul (France).
Martyrdom of Saint Vitus at Lucania. c.303 AD
Edict of the Emperor Diocletian against Christians. Feb. 23, 303 AD
This is the tenth, last, and greatest persecution (lasts 10 years until 313) of the followers of
Jesus Christ (the Diocletian Persecution).
General murder and persecution of all Christians is proclaimed.
Persecutions will continue until the Edict of Milan (in 313).
Breaks out in Nicomedia.
Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, the Christians throughout the Roman Empire are captured, tortured and executed. 303-305 AD
If they reject Jesus Christ they are allowed to live.
Martyrdom of Saint Cyriacus. March 16, 303 AD
Martyrdom of Saint George.
He is beheaded at Lydda, Palestine. April 23, 303 AD
Martyrdom of St. Erasmus (also known as St. Elmo), Bishop of Formiae, Campagna, Italy, during
the Diocletian Persecution of the Christians throughout the Roman Empire. June 2, 303 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Gorgonius. 303 AD
An officer of Diocletian’s household, he is tortured to death for converting many of the Emperor’s household from paganism to Christianity.
Martyrdom of Saint Januarius. September 19, 303 AD
Saint Januarius is martyred near Pozzuoli during the Christian persecutions under the Roman
Emperor Diocletian.
Martyrdom of Saint Lucy (Lucia). 303 AD
Martyrdom of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, twin brothers born in Arabia. They are tortured and
then beheaded along with their three brothers, Anthimus, Euprepius, and Leontius. 303 AD
Martyrdom of St. Macra. 303 AD
She is exposed to the fire, her breasts are cut off, and then she is thrown upon a bed of red hot coals.
Martyrdom of St. Cyrus (Italian: Ciro). Alexandrian. January 31, 303 AD
He is tortured and then beheaded at Canopus, Egypt during the Diocletian Persecutions.
Martyrdom of St. Devota. Corsican. 303 AD
Martyrdom of St. Dorothea (Dorothy). c. 303 AD
She refuses to sacrifice to the pagan gods during the reign of Diocletian.
She is tortured first and then ordered executed.
Martyrdom of St. Pantaleon (Panteleimon). July 27, 303 AD
He is first tortured and then beheaded (under Maximian).
Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Proclaims Mithras (Mithraism) the protector of the Roman Empire. 304 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Agnes. c. 304 AD
During the Diocletian Persecution, she is first tortured and then beheaded for refusing to reject
Jesus Christ.
Martyrdom of St. Alban. 304 AD
When he refuses to reject Jesus Christ and worship the pagan gods, he is first tortured and then beheaded.
Martyrdom of St. Faustus, St. Januarius, and St. Martial. 304 AD
During Diocletian’s persecution of Christians at what is now called Cordoba, Spain, all three are subjected to terrible tortures and then burned to death. They are sometimes called “the Three
Crowns of Cordoba.”
Martyrdom of St. Victor of Marseilles. 304 AD
He refuses to reject Jesus Christ and offer sacrifice to Jupiter.
Martyrdom of St. Florian. 304 AD
He is first scourged and then thrown into the River Enns with a heavy
rock tied around his neck.
Martyrdom of St. Vincent of Saragossa. 304 AD
Subjected to extended and fatal tortures by Dacian, the Roman governor of the Province.
Martyrdom of St. Pollio. April 28, 304 AD
He is burned while he is still alive.
Martyrdom of St. Euphemia. September 16, 304 AD
She refuses to worship Ares, one of the Greek pagan gods, at Chalcedon.
She is first tortured and then bitten to death by a bear.
Note: Compare the name Euphemia with the word blasphemia.
Martyrdom of St. Felix. 304 AD
He is first tortured and then beheaded at Rome for refusing to reject Jesus Christ.
Martyrdom of St. Adrian. c. 304 AD
He is first tortured and then put to death.
Martyrdom of St. Eulalia of Mérida. c. 304 AD
Martyrdom of St. Cassian. 304 AD
Refuses to reject Jesus Christ and sacrifice to pagan gods.
Martyrdom of St. Justina of Padua. 304 AD
Diocletian retires to Split during his persecution of the Christians. 304 AD
For nine years, Diocletian lives as a private citizen in Split, growing cabbages. He is in sorrow, frustration, and disappointment.
Diocletian will die in 313.
Death of Pope Marcellinus. 304 AD
There is no Pope for four years until Marcellus I in 308.
Final abdication of Diocletian in the East and Maximian in the West. 305 AD
End of the reign of Diocletian.
Eighteen years of civil war will follow.
The territories that are ruled by Diocletian and Maximian go to their deputies Augustus Constantius Chlorus (the father of the future Constantine the Great) in the West and Galerius in the East. 305 AD
Constantius I Chlorus.
Defeats the Picts and the Scots. 305 AD
St. Antony the Great (250-356).
Organizes at Fayum the colony of Christians that had grown around his retreat, into a loosely
organized monastery with a rule. c.305 AD
It is the first Christian monastery.
He puts emphasis on recognizing and defeating Satan and his demons.
Constantius I Chlorus (the father of the future Constantine the Great).
Stops the Tenth Persecution of the followers of Jesus Christ. 305 AD
Death of Maximian in Roman Britain at York. 306 AD
Constantine leaves home to join his father, Constantius I Chlorus. 306 AD
He covers the enormous distance through Bithynia, Thrace, Dacia, Italy, and Gaul.
Constantine arrives at the English Channel just as his father is preparing to set out for Britain.
Constantine accompanies his father Constantius I, who had easily conquered the Caledonians
(Picts and Scots) but dies in York. July 25, 306 AD
Immediately, Constantine is proclaimed at York, Augustus in his stead.
The troops proclaim him Roman Emperor, and Galerius accepts him as sovereign of all of the Cisalpine Roman provinces.
Constantine agrees to be Caesar (deputy) to Flavius Valerius Severus, who was Caesar of Constantius I Chlorus.
Constantine does not win a clear title to the throne until his dramatic victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312 AD).
However, for all practical purposes, he is in fact Emperor Constantine I.
Constantine I rules 306-d.337.
Galerius replaces Flavius Valerius Severus with Licinus. 306 AD
Constantine I, the Great, is Emperor in the East. 306 AD
He will rule the East until his death in 337 AD.
Constantine.
Defeats the Franks who had invaded Gaul (modern day France). 306 AD
Maxentius, son of Maximian, is Emperor in the West. 306-312 AD
Maxentius will fiercely persecute the Christians up until his death in 312.
Famine throughout Cappadocia, Asia Minor. 307 AD
Number of thousands of deaths is unknown.
Martyrdom of St. Catherine of Alexandria. November 25, 307 AD
Maxentius (son of Maximian).
Orders the execution of Flavius Valerius Severus. 307 AD
St. James of Nisibis (d.338). Syrian.
Named first bishop of Nisibis, Mesopotamia. c. 308 AD
He builds a basilica and founds a school of Theology there.
He will be a fierce opponent of the Arian Heresy (Arianism) at the Council of Nicaea (325).
Martyrdom of St. Quirinus, Bishop of Siscia (Sisak, Croatia). 308 AD
During the persecution of Christians throughout the Roman Empire.
When he refuses to sacrifice to pagan gods, he is tortured and then drowned in the Raab River
at Sabaria (modern Szombathely, Hungary).
Saint Marcellus I. 30th Pope. 308-309 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Maxentius is recognized by the praetorians. 308 AD
He banishes his father Maximian to Roman Gaul.
Saint Eusebius. 31st Pope. 309-310 AD
Birthplace: Greece.
Martyrdom of St. Pamphilus. 309 AD
He is first tortured and then beheaded for refusing to reject Jesus Christ
and sacrifice to the pagan gods.
Martyrdom of St. Emigdio (Italian: Emidio) (c.273-309). Cephalophore. August 5, 309 AD
He is beheaded.
Reign of Shapur II of the Sassanian Empire (Persia). 309-379 AD
He is the Persian king from birth (309).
Carries on a series of wars with Rome.
During his rule, Shapur II will recover Armenia from the Romans.
Anthrax spreads throughout the Roman Empire. 309 AD
St. Hilarion.
Establishes a foundation for hermits in Palestine. c.310 AD
Famine. England.
Almost 40,000 perish. c.310 AD
Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus.
Having been twice discovered in conspiracy against his son-in-law, he is ordered to choose the
manner of his death.
He strangles himself to death. 310 AD
St. Melchiades (also called Meltiades or Miltiades). 32nd Pope.
Birthplace: Roman North Africa. 311-314 AD
Martyrdom of St. Peter of Alexandria. 311 AD
Valerius Licinianus Licinus. Emperor in the West. As a pagan, he rejects the Christian doctrine
of Salvation, Redemption, and Deliverance. 311 AD
Martyrdom of Saint Achatius. May 8, 311 AD
Tortured and then beheaded under Flascius, the proconsul of Thracia.
St. Anthony the Great (Antonio Magnus).
Goes to Alexandria, during the persecutions, in order to give encouragement to the Christians
that are being persecuted there. 311 AD
Constantine begins his march on Rome. 311 AD
Savage Huns from the north sack the Chinese city of Luoyang. 311 AD
They kill 30,000 Chinese.
Martyrdom of St. Lucian of Antioch. Jan. 7, 312 AD
Arrested at Nicomedia when Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of the Christians began in 303.
After a long imprisonment of nine years during which he refused to reject Christ and sacrifice
to pagan gods, he is finally convicted of being a follower of Jesus Christ.
He is racked and then sworded to death at Nicomedia, Bithynia.
Conversion of Constantine the Great.
On the eve of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Oct. 27, 312 AD
(“In hoc signo vinces”).
Constantine is the first Roman Emperor to convert from paganism to Christianity.
Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Oct. 28, 312 AD
Constantine defeats and kills Augustus Maxentius, son of Maximian, at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (nine miles from Rome).
Constantine defeats the last of his rivals.
Constantine takes the city of Rome. 312 AD
Constantine the Great becomes Emperor of the Western Empire. 312 AD
The Arch of Constantine. Rome. 312-315 AD
Death of Diocletian. 313 AD
Roman Emperor from 284-305.
Constantine and Licinius rule the west and east Empire. 313-323 AD
Edict of Milan. 313 AD
Promulgated by Emperor Constantine I and his fellow Emperor Licinius.
The Edict of Milan makes Christianity legal in the Roman Empire.
All Christian prisoners are released from prisons.
Restoration of Christians’ confiscated property.
After 280 years, the religion for which millions had been killed since the Crucifixion, begins to become the religion of the Roman Empire.
Licinius. Defeats Maximin. 313 AD
Maximinus Daia commits suicide. 313 AD
Donatus. Bishop of Carthage. 313 AD
Beginning of the Donatist Heresy (Donatism) against the Catholic Church.
Pope St. Miltiades (also called Melchiades).
Holds a synod at the Lateran Palace. 313 AD
He condemns Donatus (the Donatist Heresy, i.e. Donatism).
St. Alexander (c.250-328).
Named Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt. 313 AD
Saint Sylvester I. 33rd Pope. 314-335 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Council of Arles.
Condemns the Donatist Heresy (Donatism).
Also reaffirms the primacy of Rome in the Christian Church. 314 AD
St. Macarius (d.c.335).
Named Bishop of Jerusalem. 314 AD
Fights against the Arian Heresy. He will be one of the signers of the decrees of the Council of Nicaea (325).
Battle of Cibalae. October 8, 314 AD
Constantine defeats Licinianus Licinius, his co-emperor of the east.
Licinius loses most of the Balkans.
Martyrdom of Saint Blaise. Bishop of Sebaste, Armenia. Feb. 3, 316 AD
He is beheaded after terrible torments by order of Agricolaus, the Governor of Cappadocia and Lower Armenia, during the persecution under Licinius.
Birth of Saint Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397) at Sabaria in Pannonia. 316 AD
Licinianus Licinius.
Withdraws from his position of allowing Christians to live and starts the executions once again. 316 AD
Alexander (c.244-340).
Elected patriarch of Constantinople. He is seventy three years old. 317 AD
White Huns begin their invasion of China. 317 AD
China is divided once again, from 317 until 589. 317 AD
St. Athanasius (c.293-373).
“Contra Gentes” (“Against the Gentiles”). c. 318-323 AD
St. Athanasius is one of the four Greek Doctors of the Church.
Appearance of the Heresiarch Arius (the Arian Heresy). 318 AD
Arius, a priest of Alexandria, teaches that the Son of God was created. Teaches that Jesus, as
a human being, did not share the essential nature of God. He rejects the oneness of God the
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The Arian Heresy (Arianism) will last 318-381.
Martyrdom of St. Theodota. 318 AD
She is scourged, racked, torn with an iron comb, and then stoned to death for refusing to deny Jesus Christ and sacrifice to Apollo.
St. Pachomius (c.292-348).
In response to a vision bidding him to build a Christian monastery at Tabennisi, on the Nile River
in Egypt, he builds a cell there. c. 318 AD
Later establishes a monastery.
He rejects the Arian Heresy (Arianism).
Licinianus Licinius continues the severe persecutions of the Christians in the East once again. 319 AD
Forty Martyrs of Sebastia. 320 AD
Strife of the Donatists (Donatism) in Roman north Africa. 320 AD
Excommunication of the Heresiarch Arius by a council convened by Alexander, the Bishop of
Alexandria, Egypt. 320 AD
Introduction of Christianity into the Kingdom of Auxem. 320-350 AD
Chandragupta I (d.330).
Crowned first Gupta emperor of northern India. 320 AD
Founds the Gupta dynasty in India.
Reign of Chandragupta I. 320-330 AD ADEstablishes the Gupta Empire that will rule India 320-c.544.
His reign marks the high point of Hinduism in India.
Fresh raids by the Goths are driven back. 321 AD
Licinianus Licinius.
Orders the execution of Christians throughout the eastern empire. 322 AD
St. Pachomius.
Institutes an early monastic community in Egypt. 323 AD
Constantine determines to stop the torture and execution of Christians under the rule of Licinianus Licinus. 323 AD
Battle of Adrianople. July 3, 323 AD
Emperor Constantine wins a decisive victory over Licinianus Licinius at Adrianople (Hadrianopolis). Licinius retreats into Byzantium.
20,000 total war dead.
Battle of Chrysopolis (Scutari). Sept. 18, 324 AD
In a deadly assault, Constantine’s regulars kill almost 20,000 of the 50,000 men opposing them.
Licinianus Licinius is captured. He capitulates.
Constantine has Licinianus Licinius executed at Salonika. 324 AD
Constantine.
After conquering his co-emperor Licinius, reunites the western and eastern parts of the empire
under Rome and becomes the sole ruler (emperor). Constantine rules 324-337. 324 AD
Constantine rules from the Euphrates River to the Clyde in the Roman province of Britannia.
St. Sylvester. Pope.
Consecration of the church that is called “Saint John Lateran” (Basilica) in Rome. 324 AD
Constantine declares Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
Christianity is no longer illegal. 324 AD
Council of Nicaea. May 20-June 325 AD
This is the first ecumenical or general council of the church.
The Council of Nicaea is called by Emperor Constantine the Great in Bithynia, in Asia Minor.
318 Bishops attend to reaffirm the Apostolic Christian doctrines.
They formulate the Christian creed (the Nicene Creed).
Representatives of the four Patriarchates of Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, and Rome are present at the Council of Nicaea.
The Council is held under Pope St. Sylvester I.
Only six Bishops represent the West. These are:
Hosius, Bishop of Cordova.
Caecilian, Bishop of Carthage.
Eustorgius, Bishop of Milan.
Marcus, Bishop of Calabria.
Domnus, Bishop of Strido (in Pannonia).
Nicasius, Bishop of Dijon.
The false doctrines of the heretic Arius (Arianism) are condemned and unanimously rejected by 318 bishops of the Catholic Church.
Arius is excommunicated. Donatism is condemned.
Constantine.
Begins building the foundations of his new city, Byzantium (it will be known as Constantinople). 325 AD
Constantine.
Forbids government officials to offer sacrifices or worship to the pagan gods of Greece, Rome,
Egypt, or Asia. 325 AD
Constantine.
The first Christian emperor, forbids the gladiatorial games.
These games seem to have been a survival of the widespread ancient practice of offering human sacrifices at the funerals of great chieftains. 325 AD
Construction of the first Church of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem.
Will be destroyed by fire in 529. 325 AD
Severe, bitter famine throughout England. 325 AD
Helena, the mother of Constantine, goes to Jerusalem.
She discovers the True Cross upon which Jesus was crucified. Sept. 14, 326 AD
St. Athanasius (c.293-373)
“De Incarnatione Verbi Dei”. c.326-328 AD
(“On the Incarnation of the Word”).
Savage persecution of Christians begins in Persia. 326 AD
Will continue to c. 480.
St. Peter’s at Rome, founded by Emperor Constantine, is consecrated by St. Silvester. Nov. 18, 326 AD
Martyrdom of St. Jonas, St. Barachisius, and their Companions. 327 AD
Under King Sapor II of Persia, they are frightfully tortured for refusing to reject Jesus Christ and
worship the Sun. They are eventually put to death.
Saint Athanasius (b.c. 293-d.373).
Elected Bishop of Alexandria upon the death of his predecessor
Bishop Alexander of Alexandria. 328 AD
St. Gregory Nazianzen the Elder (c. 276-374).
Becomes bishop of Nazianzus, falls into heresy, but is brought back to orthodoxy in 361 by his
son St. Gregory Nazianzen (c. 329-389). c.328 AD
Murder of Crispus, the eldest son of Constantine. 326 AD
Murder of Fausta, wife of Constantine.
Constantine, with his mother Helena, begin the building of basilicas.
Helena (250-330).
Discovery of the tomb where Jesus Christ was buried in Jerusalem (the Holy Sepulchre). 328 AD
Birth of Saint Basil the Great (329-379) in Caesarea. 329 AD
Founding of Constantinople. 330 AD
Constantine builds the eastern capital of Constantinople on the site of the ancient Greek city
of Byzantine.
Constantine moves the capital of the Roman Empire, to the site of Byzantium, the old Greek colony.
He establishes the new capital of the Roman Empire at Constantinople.
Byzantium is renamed Constantinople.
Constantinople is made the seat of the Roman Empire in the East.
Solemn inauguration. May 11, 330 AD
Construction of the Church of St. Peter’s Basilica is completed.
This structure will be taken down in 1506 in order to make room
for the present day Cathedral of St. Peter. 330 AD
The Basilica is built over the burial site of Saint Peter the Apostle, on the Vatican Hill.
Eusebius of Nicomedia, a supporter of Arius (Arianism), persuades Emperor Constantine to direct St. Athanasius to admit Arius to communion.
St. Athanasius refuses to obey the order. 330 AD
Birth of St. Gregory of Nyssa. 330 AD
Famine. Antioch. 331 AD
The city of Antioch is so starved that a bushel of wheat sells for 400
pieces of silver. Tens of thousands die.
Edict of Constantine. 331 AD
Directed against heresy.
Forbids assemblies of heretics and orders the confiscation of their
meeting places.
Martyrdom of St. Gregory the Illuminator (257-332). c. 332 AD
Helped to free Armenia from the Persians.
Constantine.
Mounts his campaign against the Tervingi from his base in Oltenia.
Defeats the Tervingi. 332 AD
Maximinius of Trier.
Succeeds St. Agritius as Bishop of Trier. 333 AD
Ausonius sets up his school of Rhetoric at Bordeaux (in Gaul). 334 AD
Saint Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397).
Born at Sabaria, Pannonia (in modern Hungary), he experiences his conversion from paganism
to Christianity. 334 AD
St. Macarius (d.c. 335). Bishop of Jerusalem.
Consecrates the Church of the Holy Sepulcher of Jesus. Sept. 13, 335 AD
He had been commissioned to build the church in Jerusalem by the Emperor Constantine.
St. Macarius also supervised the actual building of the basilica.
St. Macarius the Younger (d. 394).
He is also known as St. Macarius of Alexandria.
Becomes a monk in the Thebaid, Upper Egypt. 335 AD
He spends the remaining sixty years of his life as a hermit.
In 373 he will move to Lower Egypt.
Council of Tyre. 335 AD
Council is hostile to St. Athanasius.
Arius (Arian Heresy) is banished by Constantine.
St. Athanasius is banished to Trier in Germany.
This is his first exile. 335 AD
St. Marcus (St. Mark). 34th Pope. 336-337 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Famine and plague throughout Syria. 336 AD
Tens of thousands perish.
The Death of Arius (Arianism). 336 AD
The great Heresiarchy, Arius, comes to Constantinople with an order from the Emperor that he
be received into the Church by St. Alexander (c. 244-340), the Patriarch of Constantinople.
St. Alexander prays that either he himself or Arius be removed.
Arius teaches that Jesus Christ is the highest creation of God.
He rejects the indivisible Trinity. He rejects the oneness of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The day before the scheduled reception of Arius by St. Alexander, Arius dies a sudden and horrible death in a public lavatory.
Shapur II, ruler of Persia, embarks on a new warf against the Romans. Defeats Roman forces. 337 AD
The Romans fight a series of wars with the Persians, which will
end (363) with the loss of parts of Armenia and Mesopotamia. 337 AD
Shapur II of Persia demands the restitution of all the provinces that
Persia had formerly possessed in Asia Minor.
Saint Julius I. 35th Pope. 337-352 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Vandals driven by the Goths obtain leave to settle in Pannonia. 337 AD
Death of Constantine the Great. 337 AD
Constantine dies at Nicomedia after being baptized on his deathbed
by Eusebius of Nicomedia. Constantine is 64 years old.
Constantine is succeeded by his three sons (co-emperors) Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans.
St. Julius is Pope Julius I. 337-352 AD
35th Pope.
St. Athanasius (b.c.293-d.373) re-enters Alexandria, Egypt. 337 AD
Meeting of the three sons of Constantine the Great at Viminiacum in
order to partition the Roman Empire. 338 AD
St. Athanasius leaves Alexandria, another bishop Gregory, having been appointed in his place.
St. Athanasius stays at Rome and speaks of St. Antony the Great (Antonius Magnus), and the
monastic movement in Egypt.
Second exile of St. Athanasius: 340 until 346. 340 AD
Constantine II is killed in the Battle of Aquileia, fighting against his
brother Constans. 340 AD
With the death of Constantine II, Rome splits again into two parts, with Constans as the Western Emperor and Constantius II as the Eastern Emperor. 340 AD
Birth of St. Ambrose (b.c.340-d.397) at Treves. 340 AD
Ambrose will later baptize St. Augustine of Hippo.
Introduction of monasticism from Egypt to Western Christendom by Saint
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, in Egypt. 340 AD
Saint Frumentius (d.c. 380).
Begins the conversion of Ethiopia from paganism to Christianity. 340 AD
Saint Eusebius (c. 283-371).
Elected Bishop of Vercelli. 340 AD
Death of St. Macrina the Elder. 340 AD
Pappus of Alexandria (c.300-c.350).
“Synagoge” (“Mathematical Collections”). 340 AD
Writings on Geometry.
Pappus of Alexandria (c.300-c.350).
Describes five machines that are in use. c.340 AD
The lever, the pulley, the screw, the wedge, and the cogwheel.
Shapur II. King of Sassanian Persia.
Orders thousands of Christians to be executed in Persia. 341 AD
Martyrdom of St. Simeon Barsabae. 341 AD
As the Bishop of Seleucia and Ctesphon, he is arrested during the persecutions of Sapor (Shapur) II, King of Persia.
He refuses to reject Jesus Christ and worship the Sun.
He is first tortured and then imprisoned.
After being forced to witness the beheading of over one hundred members of his church, he himself is beheaded.
Council at Antioch (also called the “Council of Dedication”). 341 AD
The Eusebians produce an Arian formula at Antioch.
Ulfilas (Wulfila), 311-c.383, becomes Bishop of the Visigoths at the
Synod of Antioch. Ulfilas is an Arian. 341 AD
Ulfilas produces a translation of the Holy Scriptures into Gothic (the language of Gothia).
Wulfila begins the conversion of the Visigoths to Arianism. 341 AD
Resettles them (c. 348) in the Balkans.
Death of St. Paul the Hermit (Paul of Thebes) (229-342).
He is one hundred and thirteen years old. 342 AD
The Eusebians (Arians) produce a second Arian (Arianism) formula at Philippopolis. 342 AD
Visit of semi-Arian bishops to Constans with a form of the “Council of Dedication” creed. 342 AD
St. Julius I. Pope: 337-352.
Julius I holds a council in Rome and pronounces the complete innocence of St. Athanasius (anti-Arianism). 342 AD
Birth of Saint Jerome (Eusebius Heironymus), c. 342-420, at Strido, near Aquileia, Dalmatia. c. 342 AD
Death of Saint Nicholas of Myra (Bishop of Myra). Dec. 6, 343 AD
Dies at Myra. His remains will be moved to Bari, Italy in 1087.
Council of Sardica. 343-344 AD
Made up of half western bishops and half eastern bishops.
They attempt to issue a new creed; conflict over the word “homoousion”.
Attempts at reconciliation fail (344).
The Eusebians (Arians) produce a third Arian (Arianism) formula, once again at Antioch. 344 AD
Death of Gregory (the Arian Bishop of Alexandria).
St. Athanasius is restored to Alexandria. 345 AD
Birth of Saint John Chrysostom (347-407) in Antioch. 347 AD
One of the four Greek Fathers of the Church.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315-386).
“Catecheses” (on the Christian doctrine). c. 348 AD
Provides a clear explanation of the instruction that is given to those that are preparing for Baptism.
Discusses the indivisible Trinity, the Incarnation, Salvation, Redemption, and Deliverance.
Death of St. Pachomius (c. 292-348). May 15, 348 AD
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315-386).
Succeeds St. Maximus as Bishop of Jerusalem. 349 AD
St. Athanasius (c.293-373).
Writes “Discourses Against the Arians”. 349-352 AD
Explains the errors of the Arian Heresy (Arianism).
German born Roman general Flavius Magnus Magnentius attempts to usurp the Roman throne
and kills co-emperor Constans. 350 AD
Magnentius becomes Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
Saint Anthony the Great (251-356).
Goes to Alexandria to preach against Arianism.
Arianism is the doctrine teaching that Jesus Christ the Son is not co-equal and co-eternal with
God the Father.
At this time Antony is about 100 years old. ca.350 AD
The Sassanian Persians regain Armenia from the Romans. 350 AD
St. Hilary of Poitier (France) renounces paganism and is baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ. 350 AD
The Huns, nomads from Central Asia, begin to invade Europe. c. 350 AD
Hermanric. King of the Ostrogoths. 350-375 AD
Schola Cantorum. Rome. 350 AD
Founded for church music and singing.
Santa Costanza Church. Rome. c.350 AD
St. Basil (329-379).
Enters the University of Athens. c. 351 AD
He remains there for five years. He studies History, Poetics, Geometry, Astronomy, Philosophy,
Logic, Dialectics, Grammar, and Rhetoric.
Armenia aligns itself with the Roman Empire against Persia. 351 AD
Battle of Mursa. Sept. 28, 351 AD
Constantius II, the Roman co-emperor, with an army of 40,000 men, defeats the usurper,
Magnentius leading 50,000 men at Mursa, near the Danube-Drave confluence (in the future Yugoslavia).
27,000 total war dead.
Constantius II pursues Magnentius into Gaul.
Constantius II, from 350-361, moves to exterminate orthodox Christianity and deal with St.
Athanasius once and for all. 352 AD
Constantius II is a follower of the Arian Heresy (Arianism).
Constantius makes a determined effort to reject the Nicean doctrine (Christianity) and promulgate
the Arian Heresy throughout the Roman Empire.
Election of Liberius. 352 AD
36th Pope (352-366).
Constantius II.
Determines to force a form of semi-Arianism on the Christian Church. Constantius II wages a
fierce attack against the anti-Arian St. Athanasius and the Nicene Creed. 352 AD
Chondomar.
Leads serious invasions of Germanic barbarians. 352 AD
Magnentius, in order to avoid capture by Constantine II, commits suicide.
Leaves Constantius II in complete command of the Roman Empire. 353 AD
The unity of the Roman Empire is re-established once again.
Constantius II reunites the Roman Empire as Emperor of both the West
and the East. He makes his headquarters at Sirmium. 353 AD
St. Hilary of Poitiers (d. 368).
Elected Bishop of Poitiers, despite his objections to taking the position. c.353 AD
Birth of St. Paulinus of Nola, near Bordeaux, France. 353 AD
Constantius II (Arian) causes packed council at Arles to condemn
St. Athanasius (Christian/anti-Arian). 353 AD
Constantius II (Arian) exiles Pope Liberius (Christian) and appoints the Arian archdeacon Felix
to succeed him as pope. 353 AD
St. Nerses the Great (d.c. 373).
He is made Katholikos of the Armenians against his will. 353 AD
Birth of Augustine (Aurelius Augustinus) (b.354-d.430) at Tagaste in Roman Numidia. 354 AD
The false pope Felix (Arian) is rejected by the people as pope. 354 AD
Constantius II decrees Christmas day to be held on December 25. 354 AD
Baptism of Saint Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397). 354 AD
Constantius II (Arian).
Appoints Julian to be his Caesar (deputy). 355 AD
Constantius sends him to lead a campaign in Gaul against the Franks and the Alemanni.
St. Hilary of Poitiers (d. 368).
Refuses to attend the synod at Milan that has been called by the Arian Emperor Constantius II,
at which the bishops present are required to sign a condemnation of St. Athanasius or else be
sent into exile. 355 AD
Packed council held at request of pope is held at Milan, Italy. 355 AD
Constantius II (Arian) forces bishops to condemn St. Athanasius (anti-Arian) and sign an Arian
creed or else be sent into exile.
Lucifer of Calarais, Eusebius of Vercellae, Dionysius of Milan, St. Hilary of Poitier, Rhodianus of Toulouse, and Pope Liberius refuse to sign the Arian creed and are condemned to exile.
The Alemanni cross the Rhine River and enter into Eastern Gaul. 355 AD
The great invasion of the Germanic barbarians grows in intensity.
The barbarians reach as far as Autun.
Saint Basil the Great (329-379).
Teaches Rhetoric at Caesarea. 355 AD
St. Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397).
Now aged forty, and serving in the Roman army at Worms, under Julian, Martin obtains a
discharge from the army. 356 AD
He will live in Italy for a while.
Martin will later join St. Hilary at Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers (anti-Arian).
St. Hilary is condemned for his Christian orthodoxy (anti-Arianism) by the synod of Béziers, presided over by the Arian Bishop Saturninus of Arles. The synod is composed mainly of Arian bishops. 356 AD
St. Hilary of Poitiers is condemned to exile by the Emperor Constantius II to Phrygia, Asia Minor.
Period of exile: 356-359.
St. Athanasius (anti-Arian).
Third Exile. 356-361 AD
St. Hilary of Poitiers (d.368).
“De Trinitate” (“On the Trinity). Begins. 356-360 AD
The Franks and the Alemanni pour into Roman Gaul. 356-357 AD
Death of Saint Anthony the Great (251-356). January 17, 356 AD
He lived to the age of one hundred and five.
St. Athanasius is threatened once again.
Athanasius goes into the desert with the monks. 356 AD
Constantius II (Arian) sets foot in Rome for the first time. 357 AD
Julian. Roman general.
Defeats the Alemanni at Strasbourg and drives them back across the Rhine River. 357 AD
Liberius weakens and signs against St. Athanasius. 357 AD
Council of Sirmium. 357 AD
Declaration of Arianism is signed by many Arian false bishops.
St. Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397) is ordained an exorcist by St. Hilary of Poitiers (c.315-368). c.357 AD
St. Athanasius publishes the “Life of St. Antony the Great”. 357 AD
Baptism of Saint Basil the Great (329-379).
He is 27 years of age. 357 AD
St. Basil the Great (329-379).
Settles by the Iris River in Pontus, Asia Minor. 358 AD
Council of Seleucia in the East. 359 AD
150 eastern bishops are forced to reject the Christian creed and accept a false Arian creed (Arianism).
St. Hilary of Poitiers (d. 368).
Succeeds in refuting Arianism at the council of Eastern bishops held at Seleucia. He so encourages
the clergy to reject the Arian Heresy that the Arian heretics request that the Arian Emperor send
him back to Gaul. 359 AD
St. Athanasius.
“De Synodis”. 359 AD
Council of Ariminum (Rimini). 359 AD
400 bishops assemble.
320 bishops defend the Nicene Creed and doctrine.
80 bishops are Arians (Arianism).
After seven months, they eventually agree to sign the formulary, avoiding the word “homoousion”.
St. Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397).
Sets up a hermitage on the island of Gallinaria. 359 AD
He is accompanied by a presbyter.
Birth of Gratian. Future Emperor. 359 AD
Destruction of the city of Nicomedia, Asia Minor by earthquake. 359 AD
The city of Nicomedia, Bythnia is leveled by an earthquake.
Most of the thousands of inhabitants are buried.
Second Persian War with Rome. 359-361 AD
30,000 total war dead.
St. Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397).
Returns to Gaul. 360 AD
St. Hilary of Poitiers (d. 368)
“De Trinitate, libris XII” (“On the Trinity"). 360 AD
Completed.
Baptism of Saint Jerome (c. 342-420) by Pope Liberius at Rome. 360 AD
Council of Constantinople. Jan. 360 AD
Delegates sign the Arian creed of Ariminum (Rimini).
Delegates attend the dedication of Hagia Sophia at Constantinople.
St. Hilary of Poitiers (d.368).
While Hilary is in exile in Constantinople, he writes an open letter “Contra Constantium imperatorem”. 360 AD
Banishment of St. Hilary of Poitier (d.368) is ended by the Emperor.
Hilary is ordered back to his home in Poitiers, Gaul. 360 AD
Julian is taken by his troops and crowned Augustus. April 360 AD
Macedonius. Heresiarch.
Rise of Macedonianism, the doctrine that the Holy Spirit is not co-equal and not co-eternal with
God the Father and God the Son. c. 360 AD
That is to say, that the Holy Spirit (the Holy Ghost) is a creation of God.
This heresy advanced by the heresiarch Macedonius, the Bishop of Constantinople, will later be condemned by the Council of Constantinople that will be held in 381 AD.
Founding of the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas in Kansu by Lo-tsun, a Chinese Buddhist. 360 AD
The Huns invade Europe. 360 AD
The Picts, Irish, Scots, and Saxons cross Hadrian's Wall and invade Roman Britain. 360-369 AD
Beginning of the gradual replacement of scrolls by books. 360 AD
Julian Apostata marches towards Constantius II at Antioch. 361 AD
St. Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397).
Arrives at Ligugé in order to found his first community.
Martin will remain at Ligugé until 371. 361 AD
Death of Constantius II (Arian). He is 44 years old. Nov. 361 AD
Julian the Apostate enters the city of Constantinople. Dec. 361 AD
Reign of Julian the Apostate (Apostata). Emperor. 361-363 AD
Denies the divinity of Jesus Christ. Rejects the indivisible Trinity.
Rejects the Virgin birth, the Incarnation, and the Resurrection.
Rejects the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Unsuccessfully attempts to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem.
Julian the Apostate attempts to replace Christianity with Mithraism,
a pagan religion, developed out of Zoroastrianism.
Gregory the Great is ordained presbyter. 361 AD
St. Gregory Nazianzen (c. 329-389). c. 362 AD
He is ordained, but most unwillingly.
St. Gregory Nazianzen is one of the four Greek Doctors of the Church.
Council at Alexandria. 362 AD
Held under the chairmanship of St. Athanasius (anti-Arianism).
Julian the Apostate (Apostata).
Issues an edict against St. Athanasius. 362 AD
Julian the Apostate.
Campaigns against the Sassanian Persians (Shapur II). 362-363 AD
Martyrdoms of St. Juventius and St. Maximinus. January 25, 363 AD
They are officers of the guard of Emperor Julian the Apostate.
They are tortured, scourged, and then beheaded at Antioch when
they refuse to reject Jesus Christ and sacrifice to the pagan gods.
Martyrdom of St. Donato (Donatus) of Arezzo. August 7, 362 AD
He is beheaded at Arezzo, Italy during the reign of the pagan Roman
Emperor Julian the Apostate (Apostata).
Martyrdom of St. Elpidius. September 26, 362 AD
He is first tortured and then burned to death during the reign of the Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate.
Ordination of Saint Basil the Great (329-379) at Caesarea. 363 AD
Returns to Pontus because of a disagreement with Archbishop Eusebius.
Death of Julian the Apostate (Apostata). 363 AD
He is killed by an arrow during the Battle of Samarra fighting against
the Sassanian Persians near Samarra, on the Tigris River.
Reign of Roman Emperor Jovian (b.331-d.364). 363-364 AD
Elected by soldiers.
His full name is Flavius Iovianus.
Emperor Jovian. Surrenders Mesopotamia to the Persians. 363 AD
Emperor Jovian makes peace with Persia. 363 AD
Rome and Persia are at peace. 363-420 AD
Restoration of Christianity by Emperor Jovian. 363 AD
Jovian dies. 364 AD
Soldiers elect Valentinian I Emperor of the West with his brother,
Valens (364-378) co-emperor in the East.
Division of the Roman Empire into West and East. 364 AD
Valens (364-378). Rules the Eastern Roman Empire from the Lower
Danube River to the Persian border. Valens is an avowed Arian (Arianism).
Valentinian I (364-375). Rules the Western Empire from Caledonia in Roman Britannia to northwestern Roman Africa.
The Roman scholar Ausonius is summoned to the Roman court in order to teach Gratian, the
son of Valentinian I. 364 AD
St. Hilary of Poitiers (d.368).
Holds a public debate at Milan, Italy, with Auxentius, the Arian (Arian heresy) usurper of the see of Milan. 364 AD
Valens. Arian ruler of the Eastern Empire. 365 AD
Banishes all Christian (anti-Arian) bishops.
They must be Arian (Arian Heresy).
Gregory Nazianzen (c.329-389).
Requests St. Basil (329-379) the Great for his assistance in combating Arianism (the Arian Heresy)
in Nazianzus. 365 AD
Earthquake. Alexandria, Egypt. 365 AD
The city of Alexandria, Egypt is destroyed.
The 4th Wonder of the Ancient World (the 600 foot Lighthouse of Alexandria) is also destroyed.
Almost 60,000 people are killed.
Valentinian I. Western Emperor.
Struggles with the increasing barbarian attacks in Roman Gaul, Illyricum, and Roman north Africa. 365-371 AD
St. Athanasius the Great (c.293-373).
Returns to his see in Alexandria, Egypt after seventeen long years of on-and-off exile. 365 AD
Death of both Pope Liberius and Felix (the false Arian Pope). 366 AD
Saint Damasus I (b.c.304-d.384). 37th Pope. 366-384 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Since Damasus I is a Christian (anti-Arianism), he is a fierce opponent of the Arian Heresy (Arianism).
The Goths invade Thrace.
The Goths are defeated by the generals of Valens. 366 AD
Upon the invasion of the Huns, the Ostrogoths separate from the Visigoths.
Gratian, son of Valentinian I.
Elected western co-emperor (367-383) at Amiens in Roman Gaul. 367 AD
Theodosius the Elder (d. 376).
Wars against the Picts in Roman Britain. 367-369 AD
Valen’s Gothic war. 367-369 AD
EasternEmperor Valens is at war with the Goths.
Valens. Arian emperor of the East.
Banishes all of the Christian (anti-Arian) Bishops that had returned during the reign of Julian
the Apostate. 367 AD
St. Athanasius the Great (c.293-373).
Easter letter for the year 367. 367 AD
This is the first official document which prescribes the twenty seven books of the New Testament
in their present form as being alone canonical (divinely inspired).
An alliance of Irish, Picts (from Scotland), and Saxons (from north Germania) overcome the
defenses of Britain and begin to plunder
the Roman provinces for almost two years. 367 AD
The Picts, Scotti, and Saxons after reaching Roman London, plunder the city from 367 to 368. 367-368 AD
General Theodosius (“Comes Britanniarum”).
Is sent with a relief force to Roman Britannia in order to stop the destruction caused by the
barbarians.
General Theodosius successfully drives back the barbarians. 368 AD
Theodosius retakes Hadrian’s Wall and restores order in Roman Britannia.
General Theodosius mounts a punitive expedition into Hibernia (modern day Ireland).
Note: This Theodosius is not to be confused with Theodosius the Great, the future emperor of the Roman Empire.
St. Jerome.
Returns to a desert in the Holy Land in order to meditate on the life and person of Jesus Christ.c. 368 AD Jerome is about 28 years old at this time.
Valentinian I and his son Gratian campaign against the Alamanni. 368 AD
They defeat the Alamanni at Solicinium (Schwetzingen).
Death of St. Hilary of Poitiers (c.315-368). January 13, 368 AD
Based on St. Jerome, St. Hilary died on January 13.
However his day is observed on November 1.
Baptism of St. John Chrystostom (c. 347-407).
St. John Chrysostom is one of the four Greek Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church. c. 369 AD
St. Basil the Great (329-379).
Founds, at Caesarea in Cappadocia, an institution with several buildings
for schools, patients, and physicians. 369 AD
A Japanese expeditionary force establishes a Japanese colony in Mimana, in what is now South Korea. 369 AD
Reign of Athanaric. Prince of the West Goths.
He is a fierce opponent of Christianity. 369-381 AD
Athanaric, Prince of the West Goths, is defeated by the Huns and
driven out from the north of the Danube River. c. 369 AD
Saint Ephraem (c.306-373).
Opens a hospital at Edessa. c.369 AD
St. Optatus (d.c. 387).
Optatus is a convert from paganism to Christianity.
Writes the famous treatise “Against Parmenian the Donatist”. 370 AD
He refutes the teachings of the Donatist Bishop Parmenian of Carthage.
This treatise is still extant.
Evagrius of Anticoh.
“Vita Antonii”. Translation from Greek to Latin. 370 AD
Expansion of monasticism in the west as a result of this work.
Saint Basil (Basileus) the Great (329-379).
Reluctantly becomes elected archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.
Basil writes an obligatory rule for Greek monasticism. 370 AD
Basil consequently becomes metropolitan of some fifty suffragan bishops, despite the fierce
opposition of the Arian Emperor Valens.
St. Basil is one of the four Greek Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church.
St. Ambrose (b.340-d.397).
Appointed Governor of Aemilia and Liguria. 370 AD
His capital is at Milan, Italy.
Desolation of Phrygia by famine. 370 AD
Ten thousand die.
St. Peter of Sebastea (c. 340-391).
Ordained a priest. 370 AD
St. Ephraem (c.306-d.373) visits St. Basil the Great at Caesarea. 370 AD
Death of St. Hilarion the Great (291-371). October 21, 371 AD
St. Hilarion had been born of pagan parents in Gaza, Palestine.
Valens (Arian emperor).
Divides Caesarea into two sees. 371 AD
Saint Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397).
Despite his objections, he is consecrated Bishop of Tours. 371 AD
He will remain in this position until his death in 397.
Death of St. Eusebius of Vercelli (c. 283-371), at Vercelli. August 1, 371 AD
Introduction of Buddhism into Korea. 372 AD
Augustine.
Becomes a follower of the Manichean Heresy (Manichaenism). 372 AD
Augustine will be a Manichaean for nine years.
Invasion of Russia by the Huns. 372 AD
Destruction of the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Southern Russia by the Huns that are moving westward.
St. Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397).
Founds the monastery at Marmoutier, called “Maius Monasterium”,
(“the larger monastery”). 372 AD
Saint Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397).
Visits Valentinian I, the emperor of the Western Roman empire. 372 AD
St. Gregory Nazianzen (c.329-389).
Named Bishop of Sasima in Arian territory but he never goes there. 372 AD St. Gregory Nazianzen
is one of the four Greek Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church.
St. Gregory of Nyssa (c.330-c.395).
Named Bishop of Nyssa, Lower Armenia. 372 AD
Martyrdom of St. Sabas the Goth. April 12, 372 AD
Interrogation of Saint Basil the Great (329-379) by Modestus the Arian prefect. 372 AD
St. Athanasius the Great consecrates Peter as his successor. 373 AD
Peter II. 21st Patriarch of Alexandria. 373-381 AD
Death of Saint Athanasius (c.293-373) of Alexandria. May 2, 373 AD
He dies at Alexandria, Egypt.
Death of Saint Ephraem (c.306-373). June 9, 373 AD
Death of St. Gregory Nazianzen the Elder (c. 276-374).
St. Gregory Nazianzen (c.329-389) the Younger continues administering the see until a new bishop
is chosen. 374 AD
Death of Auxentius, Bishop of Milan, and an Arian heretic. 374 AD
Milan is thrown into a turmoil as the Arians and the Christians each fight to have their candidate
made bishop.
Ambrose is unanimously elected bishop of Milan by all of the parties.
St. Ambrose refuses to accept the position.
He is forced to accept the position by the western Emperor.
Baptism of Ambrose, followed by his ordination, and his consecration as Bishop of Milan (December 7). 374 AD
Ambrose gives away all of his possessions. He begins a study of the Old Testament and New Testament, the great Christian writers, theology, the history of the Church, and begins to live a life of great discipline.
Ambrose becomes one of the most powerful preachers of his day.
He is the most formidable opponent of Arianism in the West.
Ambrose will be Bishop of Milan until his death in 397. 374-397 AD
Saint Jerome (c.342-420).
Jerome settles at Antioch. c. 374 AD
Antioch was one of the five great capital cities of the Roman Empire.
These five great cities were Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Carthage, and Antioch.
Sudden death of Valentinian I, ruler of the western Roman Empire. 375 AD
Flavius Gratianus, his son, becomes Emperor of the West (until 383).
His half-brother, Valentinian II is co-emperor in the East.
Reign of Gratianus I. Ruler of the western Roman Empire. 375-383 AD
He is a protege of St. Ambrose of Milan.
Reign of Valentinian II, co-emperor of the East. 375-392 AD
St. Basil the Great (329-379).
“De Spiritu Sancto” (“On the Holy Spirit”). 375 AD
The Huns from Asia cross the Volga River. 375 AD
The Huns from the east succeed in entering into Europe. 375 AD
The Huns overwhelm the Ostrogothic Kingdom and advance against the Visigoths (West Goths).
Visigoths (West Goths).
The semi-civilized Goths cross the Danube River. 375 AD
Death of Hermanric, King of the Ostrogoths.
Fall of the Ostrogothic Kingdom. 375 AD
The semi-civilized Visigoths (West Goths) throw themselves at the mercy of the Roman Empire. 376 AD
Pressed by and retreating from the savage Huns, the Visigoths implore the protection of Valens (Arian emperor of the East).
Valens, the Arian eastern emperor, sympathizes with the Arian Visigoths.
Valens allows them to peacefully cross the Danube River and enter into the Roman Empire. 376 AD
At first, the Visigoths agree to settle in the Roman province of Moesia.
They will revolt however in 378.
Martyrdom of St. Bademus and his seven companions. c. 376 AD
They are all tortured and martyred during the persecution of the Christians by Shapur II, King of
Sassanian Persia.
Gratian, the son of Valentinian I, summons his general Theodosius the Elder to replace the Arian
emperor Valens as Emperor in the East. 378 AD
Revolt of the Visigoths. 378 AD
The Visigoths mutiny. The Visigoths are reinforced by the Ostrogoths and the Sarmatian Alans,
from across the Danube River.
They invade the Roman Balkan provinces.
Battle of Adrianople (Hadrianopolis, in Thrace). Aug. 9, 378 AD
20,000 Visigoths and their allies meet the Arian Emperor Valens and his
army in front of Adrianople. The Visigoths under Fritigern defeat the Romans due to the onslaught
of the Ostrogothic and Sarmatian horsemen, led by the Alan kings, Alatheus and Saphrax. Valens,
the Arian Emperor of the East, is defeated and killed fighting the Visigoths.
This Roman defeat leaves Greece unprotected from the barbarian hordes.
Marks the beginning of the Germanic breakthrough into the Roman Empire.
Adrianople is one of the decisive battles of history. This battle marks the definite victory of the barbarian cavalry over the Roman infantry.
(Adrianople, now Edirne,Turkey).
St. Ursus.
Builds Ravenna Cathedral. c. 378 AD
Synod at Alexandria. 378 AD
Condemns Apollinarianism (the Apollinarian Heresy).
Pope St. Damasus I (Pope: 366-384).
Holds a council at Rome which condemns Apollinarianism (based
on the false teachings of the heresiarch Apollinarius). 378 AD
Death of Saint Basil the Great (329-379) at Caesarea. January 1, 379 AD
St. Basil is one of the four Greek Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church.
Synod at Antioch. 379 AD
Condemns Apollinarianism (based on the teachings of Apollinarius).
St. Gregory of Nyssa (c.330-c.395).
Attends the Council of Antioch, which denounces the Meletian heresy.
Gregory of Nyssa is sent by that council to Palestine and Arabia in
order to combat the heresy that is spreading there. 379 AD
St. Ambrose of Milan.
Explains the errors of the Arian Heresy to Emperor Gratian I. 379 AD
Ambrose persuades Emperor Gratian I to reject Arianism and accept Christianity.
Gratian I. Emperor of the West.
Withdraws the edict of toleration of paganism. 379 AD
Implies that all forms of heathen worship must cease.
St. Jerome.
Proceeds to Antioch, where he allows himself to be ordained priest. 379 AD
St. Jerome.
Spends three years of studies of the Old Testament and the New Testament. 379-382 AD
Theodosius I, the Great.
Conversion from paganism to Christianity. 379 AD
Theodosius, the Great.
Becomes Emperor in the East. 379 AD
Rules in the East 379-395. Rules in the West after 392.
Death of Shapur II (b.309-d.379) of Sassanian Persia. 379 AD
He is succeeded by Artaxerxes II.
Artaxerxes II rules 379-383.
Theodosius the Great. Roman Emperor in the East.
Decrees that his subjects must be orthodox (that is, Christian). 380 AD
Theodosius orders the Arian heretics either to submit or to leave the kingdom.
The Arians leave.
Theodosius makes apostolic Christianity, based on the anti-Arian Nicene Creed, the religion of the
Roman Empire.
Emperor Theodosius bans the worship of the pagan gods of Greece, Rome, Egypt, and Asia.
Theodosius, Roman Emperor in the East, and Gratian, the Roman Emperor in the West, both decree apostolic Christianity (anti-Arian) to be the religion of the entire Roman Empire. 380 AD
Christianity is made the official religion of the Roman Empire.
St. Peter of Sebastea (c.340-391) is named bishop of Sebastea. 380 AD
Council of Saragossa (Spain). 380 AD
Denounces Priscillianism (the Priscillian Heresy).
Among many other errors, Priscillian denied that marriage was a lawful state. Priscillian errors
were brought to Spain from Egypt and contained elements of Gnosticism and Manicheanism.
General Council of Constantinople (the first council held at Constantinople).
Second General Ecumenical Council convenes. 381 AD
Condemns the Arian Heresy (Arius).
Denounces the heresy of Macedonius (Macedonianism).
Macedonianism teaches that the Holy Spirit is not uncreated but created.
Macedonianism applied Arian teaching to the Holy Spirit.
The Council condemns Apollinarianism (Apollinarius will die in 392).
The Council decides upon the ranks of the patriarchs by reaffirming first place to Rome, followed by Constantinople, Alexandria, and Antioch.
The patriarch of Jerusalem is later given the fifth rank.
St. Gregory Nyssa, St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315-386), and St. Peter of Sebastea (c.340-391) are among those present.
St. Gregory of Nazianzus the Younger (c.329-389).
Made archbishop of Constantinople (Arian dominated) at the General Council of Constantinople. 381 AD
Plague and famine at Antioch, during the reign of Theodosius the Great. Two thousands perish. 381 AD
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407).
Becomes a deacon of the Church. 381 AD
Chrysostom is one of the four Greek Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church.
Theodosius the Great. Roman Emperor in the East.
Makes a compact with the West Goths (the Visigoths). 382 AD
Theodosius resettles the Visigoths in the Roman Empire.
Fritigern and his followers are allowed to settle in the Roman province of Moesia, south of the Danube River.
Many of them will become soldiers in the Roman armies.
St. Paula (347-404).
Meets St. Jerome. 382 AD
St. Augustine (354-430) of Hippo.
Sets off on the long trip to Rome. He stays there for one year. 382 AD
Gratian. Emperor in the West.
Orders the removal of the statue of the pagan goddess of victory that is at Rome. 382 AD
St. Jerome becomes secretary to Pope St. Damasus I. 382 AD
St. Damasus I instructs Jerome to unify the Latin Bible.
Roman troops in Britain rise up in revolt. 383 AD
Maximus Magnus, the dux Brittaniorum, is made Roman Emperor by the troops in Roman Britannia.
Saint Ambrose of Milan.
Attempts to persuade Maximus Magnus, dux Brittaniorum, not to attempt to extend his domain
into Italy against the new young Emperor Valentinian II (rule: 375-392). 383 AD
Roman general Magnus Maximus.
Crosses the English Channel, conquers Gaul and Spain, and marches against the western Emperor
Gratian in Gaul. 383 AD
Emperor Gratian is killed by the troops of Magnus Maximus at Lugdunum (Lyon) in Roman Gaul. 383 AD
Triumphal entry of Magnus Maximus into Trèves. 383 AD
Magnus Maximus, the leader of the revolt against Gratian, is recognized by Gratian’s younger brother Valentinian II and his co-emperor Theodosius.
Maximus was made Emperor while in Roman Britain. 383 AD
Maximus rules in Britain, Gaul, and Spain.
Maximus Magnus.
Roman Emperor in the West. 383-388 AD
The barbarians finally overrun Hadrian’s Wall in Roman Britain. 383 AD
Shapur III of Sassanian Persia. 383-388 AD
St. Augustine (354-430) of Hippo.
Leaves Rome and arrives in Milan in order to teach Rhetoric there. 384 AD
He is not a Christian yet. He is a follower of Manicheanism (the Manichean Heresy).
Death of St. Damasus I (Pope). (b.c. 304-d.384). December 11, 384 AD
Saint Siricius. 38th Pope. 384-399 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Siricius denounces Jovinian for rejecting the perpetual virginity of Mary.
Council of Bordeaux. Called by Magnus Maximus. 384 AD
Saint Ambrose of Milan.
Succeeds in defeating an attempt by the pagan Quintus Aurelius
Symmachus to restore the pagan cult of the goddess of victory in Rome. c.384 AD
Pilgrimage of Egeria, a Gaulish nun, to the city of Jerusalem. c.384 AD
Birth of Saint Patrick in Roman Britain. c. 385 AD
Saint Ambrose of Milan.
Successfully resists Valentinian’s order to turn over many of the Christian churches in Milan to
a group headed by Valentinian’s mother, the Empress Justina, a secret Arian. 385 AD
Council at Trèves. 385 AD
Condemnation of Priscillian (Priscillianism), a Spanish heretic.
Priscillian is executed for heresy and sortilege (divination).
St. Augustine (354-430) of Hippo.
“De Dialectica”. c. 385 AD
(“On Dialectics”).
Saint Ambrose of Milan.
Refuses to obey an imperial edict that would practically prohibit Christian gatherings and forbid
any opposition to turning Christian churches over to the Arians (Arian Heresy). 386 AD
St. Ambrose of Milan.
Discovers the bodies of two early Christian martyrs, Saint Gervasius and Saint Protasius. 386 AD
Ordination of St. John Chrysostom (“golden mouthed”) (c. 347-407) by Bishop Flavian of Antioch. 386 AD
St. John Chrysostom (c.347-407).
“Five Sermons on the Incomprehensibility”. 386 AD
Conversion of St. Augustine (354-430) during the summer of 386.
He reads the “Life of Antony”. He retires to Cassiacum. 386 AD
Death of St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c.315-386). March 18, 386 AD
St. Jerome. Settles in a monastery in Bethlehem. 386 AD
Saint Jerome.
“Commentaries on the Book of Ecclesiastes”. 386 AD
Written at Bethlehem.
St. Augustine (354-430) of Hippo.
“De Beata Vita” (“On the Blessed Life”). 386 AD
“Contra Academicos”. 386 AD
(“Against the Academics”).
“De Ordine” (“On Order”). 386 AD
(Divine Providence and the Problem of Evil).
Saint Augustine.
“Soliloquia”. 386-387 AD
(“Soliloquies”)
“Epistulae”. 386-429 AD
(“Letters”).
Riots in Antioch. 387 AD
When the conflict between the Christians and the Arians deepens, Magnus Maximus, the usurper,
invades Italy despite the pleas of St. Ambrose of Milan not to do so. 387 AD
Magnus Maximus engages in battle with Valentinian II. 387 AD
St. John Chrysostom. Delivers his sermons on the Statues. 387 AD
Baptism of Augustine (354-430) by St. Ambrose of Milan, at Milan, on Easter Eve, 387. 387 AD
St. Augustine (354-430).
Writes “De Immortalitate Animae”. 387 AD
(“On the Immortality of the Soul”).
Theodosius I. Eastern Emperor.
Partitions Armenia between Rome and Persia. c. 387 AD
Death of St. Monica (the mother of St. Augustine) at Ostia. 387 AD
Valentinian II and his mother the Empress Justina flee from Italy and seek the aid of Theodosius I,
the Eastern Emperor. 388 AD
Battle of Aquileia. 388 AD
Theodosius I defeats Magnus Maximus, the usurper, at Aquileia.
Theodosius has him executed in Pannonia.
Theodosius I, the Great, Emperor of the Eastern Empire.
Restores Valentinian II as Augustus of the Western Empire. 388 AD
St. Jerome.
“Questions on Genesis”. 388 AD “Commentaries on Galatians, Ephesians, Titus, Philemon”. 388 AD
Both are written while Jerome is at Bethlehem.
St. Augustine.
Returns to north Africa, Carthage and Tagaste. 388 AD
St. Augustine (354-430).
“De Quantitate Animae”. 388 AD
(“On the Greatness of the Soul”).
“De Moribus ecclesiae Catholicae et de moribus Manichaeorum”.
(“The Catholic Ways and the Manichaean Ways of Life”). 388, 389-90 AD
“De Libero arbitrio voluntatis” (“On the Free Choice of the Will”).
Reaffirms the Christian doctrine that man has Free Will. 388, 94-95 AD
The Library at Alexandria is almost destroyed during a riot of the pagans against the Christians. 389 AD
Death of St. Gregory Nazianzen (c. 329-389) at Nazianus. Jan. 25, 389 AD
Gregory is one of the four Greek Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church.
Baptism of Saint Paulinus of Nola (c.354-431) by Saint Delphinus of Bordeaux (d.c.403).
St. Delphinus is the second bishop of Bordeaux. 389 AD
St. Augustine of Hippo.
“De Musica” (“On Music”). 389 AD
Saint Jerome (c. 342-420).
Translates the Old Testament from Hebrew into Latin.
He revises the Latin version of the New Testament.
This version is called the Vulgata (Vulgate). 390-404 AD
He will finish in 404 AD.
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407).
One of the four Greek Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church.
Begins preaching a series of sermons on the books of the New Testament. Includes eighty-eight
on John, ninety on Matthew, and thirty-two on the Book of Romans. 390 AD
St. Isaac the Great (d. 439).
Appointed Katholicos of Armenia. 390 AD
He at once begins to reform the Armenian Church.
He is the founder of the Armenian Church.
He ends the practice of married bishops, enforces canon law,
encourages monasticism, builds churches, builds schools, fights Persian paganism, supports St. Mesrop in his creation of an Armenian alphabet,
helps promote the translation of the Old Testament and the New Testament into the Armenian language, helps to promote the translation of the works of the Greek and Syrian doctors into Armenian, is responsible for establishing a national liturgy, and is responsible for the beginnings of Armenian literature.
The statue of the pagan god Serapis at Alexandria, Egypt is broken up. 390 AD
Jovinian is condemned and excommunicated by Pope Siricius. 390 AD
(Jovinian Heresy).
Massacre at Thessalonica. 390 AD
Massacre of 7,000 people following anti-Roman rebellion at Thessalonica.
Theodosius does public penance for several weeks before St. Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan.
First “Hallelujah” hymns in the Roman Catholic Church. 390 AD
St. Augustine.
“De Vera Religione”. 390 AD
(“On the True Religion”).
The senatorial party at Rome presents a petition to Valentinian II for the restoration of the statue
of the pagan goddess of Victory and of the vestal virgins. 391 AD
This demand is resisted by the anti-pagan St. Ambrose of Milan.
Theodosius I the Great.
Under the influence of St. Ambrose of Milan, begins to issue strong
edicts against paganism throughout the empire. 391 AD
Theodosius I proclaims Christianity the official religion of the empire.
All heathen cults are prohibited.
Theodosius I forbids all public observances of paganism and heretical movements.
Death of Maraius the Great. 391 AD
He is also known as St. Macarius the Elder or St. Marius of Egypt.
St. Augustine.
Attends the church in Hippo and, to his amazement, he is ordained a Catholic priest. 391 AD
Saint Jerome (c. 342-420).
“Commentaries on the Books of the Minor Prophets”. 391-406 AD
Written at Bethlehem.
St. Augustine engages Fortunatus, one the leaders of Manichaeanism, in a public debate.
Augustine defeats him so soundly that Fortunatus has to leave the city. August 29, 392 AD
Frankish Salian and Ripuarian tribes occupy lands between the Meuse and Rhine rivers, as allies
of Rome. 392 AD
Murder of Valentinian II, Arian emperor of the east, at Vienne in Gaul by Arbogast, a Frankish count. 392 AD
Arbogast declares the usurper Eugenius, emperor.
Eugenius is the leader of the pagan revival in the Roman empire.
Theodosius I.
In reaction to the murder of Valentinian II, his 21 year old co-emperor, Theodosius marches against Arbogast and Eugenius of Gaul, the usurper. 392 AD
Revival of paganism in Rome and the empire. 392 AD
Theodosius I the Great.
Forbids all public and private observances of paganism. 392 AD
Theodore of Mopsuestia. Greek.
Bishop of Mopsuestia. 392-428 AD
Influenced Nestorius (Nestorian Heresy/Nestorianism).
The Germanic leader of Rome’s Rhineland forces revolts. 392 AD
Theodosius I suppresses the barbarian rebellion.
Synod of Hippo. 393 AD
Saint Jerome.
“Adversus Jovianianum.” 393 AD
St. Jerome refutes the teachings of Jovinian that Mary had other
children besides Jesus (Jovinianism).
Saint Paulinus of Nola (c.353-431).
While Paulinus of Nola is in Spain, the Bishop of Barcelona, by demand of the people, ordains him
a priest. 393 AD
Last Greek Olympic Games are held. c.393 AD
They are forbidden by Theodosius I because of their pagan nature.
Saint Augustine.
“De Fide et Symbolo”. 393 AD
(“On Faith and the Creed”).
Japanese invasion of Korea from Yamato, Japan. 393 AD
The Japanese successfully overrun Silla and Paekche in Korea.
Theodosius I, the Great, prepares to attack Eugenius of Gaul, the usurper, and the leader of the
pagan revival. 394 AD
Battle of the Aquileia. Sept. 5-6, 394 AD
Theodosius I defeats and kills the pagan leader Eugenius.
Eugenius of Gaul, the usurper, is beheaded.
Suicide of Arbogast.
Theodosius I. Forbids all observances of paganism. 394 AD
He issues edicts forbidding sacrifice to pagan idols or for people to even
enter the pagan temples.
Sulpicius Severus visits St. Martin of Tours aged eighty one. 394 AD
Theodosius I the Great.
Accedes as Emperor of both the West and the East. 394 AD
The entire empire is, for the last time, reunited under Emperor Theodosius (until his death in 395).
Death of St. Macarius the Younger. 394 AD
He is also known as St. Macarius of Alexandria.
Saint Augustine.
“Enarrationes in Psalmos.” c.394-418 AD
(“Exposition on the Book of Psalms”).
“De Sermone Domine in Monte.” 394 AD
(“The Lord’s Sermon on the Mount”).
“Letters” (Correspondence with St. Jerome). 394-418 AD
Death of Theodosius the Great. Jan. 395 AD
He is the last Emperor of the unified Roman Empire.
Theodosius dies in the arms of Saint Ambrose of Milan.
Partition of the Roman Empire. January 17, 395 AD
Theodosius is succeeded by his two sons Honorius and Arcadius who divide the empire with
Stilichio and Alaric as their masters and protectors.
This division marks the separation of the Roman Empire into Western Roman Empire (Rome)
and Eastern Roman Empire (“New Rome”) at Constantinople.
Honorius (age 10) receives the Western Roman Empire and rules from the city of Rome.
Arcadius (age 17) receives the Eastern Roman Empire and rules from the city of Constantinople.
Reign of Honorius, Emperor in the West. 395-423 AD
Reign of Arcadius, Emperor in the East. 395-408 AD
Greece is under the control of the Eastern Empire. 395-1204 AD
Roman Palestine is reorganized into three administrative territories. 395 AD
Alaric becomes the King of the Visigoths (rules 395-d.410). 395 AD
Invasion of Greece by Alaric, king of the Visigoths.
Greece is ravaged by the Goths. 395-396 AD
St. Ambrose of Milan.
Discovers the bodies of St. Nazarius and St. Celsus in Milan. c.395 AD
They were both martyrs of the first century.
St. Augustine.
“Confessiones”. Written. 395-400 AD
(“Confessions”).
Death of St. Gregory of Nyssa. 396 AD
Alaric, the king of the Visigoths, plunders and takes Athens, Corinth, and Greece. 396 AD
St. Porphyry (353-420).
Proclaimed bishop of Gaza and entrusted with the care of the relics of the Cross of Jesus Christ. 396 AD
Stilicho.
Vandal general, guardian of Honorius, attacks the Picts in Britain. 396 AD
St. Augustine is made Bishop of Hippo Regius in North Africa. 396 AD
St. Augustine.
“Contra Epistulam Manichaei quam vocant Fundamenti.” 396 AD
(“Against the Epistle of Manichaeus Entitled Fundamental”).
“De Agone Christiana.” 396 AD
(“On the Christian Combat”).
Death of St. Geminianus (Italian: Gemignano) of Modena. Exorcist. January 31, 397 AD
(b.c.312-d.397).
St. Augustine.
“De Doctrina Christiana.” 397 AD
(“On Christian Doctrine”).
The first three books are published in 397.
The fourth book will be added in 426.
St. Augustine.
“Contra Faustum Manichaeum.” 397-398 AD
Reply to Faustus the Manichaean.
At this point Augustine is anti-Manichaeanism.
Death of St. Ambrose of Milan (on Easter Eve). April 4, 397 AD
Death of St. Liborius of Le Mans. July 23, 397 AD
St. Liborius is the second Bishop of Le Mans.
Death of St. Martin of Tours (b.316-d.397). November 8, 397 AD
He is at Candes, Touraine.
Martin is succeeded by Brice as Bishop of Tours (will be bishop 397-444).
Alaric, king of the Visigoths, is expelled from Greece, by Stilicho the Vandal leader of the Roman forces. 397 AD
Third Council (Synod) of Carthage. 397 AD
St. Jerome.
“Commentaries on the Gospel of Saint Matthew”. 398 AD
Written while he is at Bethlehem.
St. John Chrysostom (c.347-407).
One of the four Greek Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church.
Named Patriarch of Constantinople (398-404) against his wishes.
He at once begins to reform the Church at Constantinople. 398 AD
Sulpicius Severus.
Completes his “Life of Saint Martin of Tours”. 398 AD
Reign of Isdegerdes I (Yazdegerd) of Persia. 399-420 AD
Later during his rule he will begin severe persecutions of Christians
throughout Persia and Armenia.
St. Maruthas (d.c. 415).
Bishop of Maiferkat, Mesopotamia, near the Persian border.
Petitions Emperor Arcadius to ask the newly crowned King Yezdigerd of Persia to mitigate
the terrible conditions under which Christians in Persia are forced to live. 399 AD
St. Maruthas is sometimes considered the father of the Syrian Church.
Maruthas restores Church organization in Persia, builds many churches.
He is also known for his knowledge of medicine.
Compiles a record of Christians that were martyred in Persia during the persecution of the
Christians during the reign of King Sapor.
He brings many relics of the martyrs to Maiferkat.
He composes several hymns used in the Syriac liturgy and is the author of several theological writings.
Saint Augustine.
“De Catechizandis Rudibus.” 399 AD
(“On the Catechizing of the Uninstructed”).
“Ad Catechumenos de Symbolo.” 399 AD
(“To the Catechumens on the Creed”).
“De Natura Boni contra Manichaeos.” 399 AD
(“The Nature of the Good, Against the Manichaeans”).
“De Trinitate.” 399-419 AD
(“On The Trinity”).
Saint Anastasius I. 39th Pope. 399-401 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Condemns the Donatist Heresy (Donatism).
Birth of Pulcheria (399-453). 399 AD
Daughter of Emperor Arcadius, ruler of the East, and Empress Eudoxia.
Martyrdom of St. Alban (a Greek from Naxos). 400 AD
He is put to death in Roman Germania by the Arians.
Death of St. Syncletica. 400 AD
Saint Augustine.
“De Fide Rerum quae non Videntur.” 400 AD
(“On Faith in Things Not Seen”).
“De Consensu Evangelistarum.” 400 AD
(“On the Harmony of the Evangelists”).
Death of St. Fabiola. c.400 AD
Founded the first hospital in Roman Christendom.
The word “chemistry” is used for the first time by scholars in Alexandria, for the activity of
changing matter. c.400 AD
Alaric. King of the Visigoths. Invades Northwestern Italy. 401 AD
Saint Innocent I. 40th Pope. 401-417 AD
Birthplace: Latium, Italy.
Reaffirms the ancient primacy of Rome.
Saint Augustine.
“De Baptismo.” 401 AD
(“On Baptism”).
“De Opere Monachorum.” 401 AD
(“On the Work of Monks”).
Battle of Pollentia. April 6, 402 AD
Alaric, the king of the Visigoths, undertakes an attack on Italy.
Flavius Stilicho collects an army from Gaul, Britain, and Germania.
Alaric is beaten back by Flavius Stilicho, the Vandal general of the Western
Emperor, at the Battle of Pollenza (Pollentia), near Milan, Italy.
The imperial army drove the barbarian Goths into the Alps.
Thousands of Goths are killed.
Honorius. Ruler of the West.
Moves the capitol of the Western Roman Empire to Ravenna, Italy. 402 AD
Ravenna becomes the Western capitol.
Flavius Stilicho strips the western Roman frontier of forces, in an
attempt to contain the Visigoth invasion of Italy. 403 AD
This saves Italy but causes the Rhine frontier to begin to collapse.
The Vandals, Suebi, and Alans flood across the Rhine frontier.
Flavius Stilicho, the Vandal general of the Western Empire, defeats the Ostrogoths under Alaric
at Verona temporarily halting their invasion. 403 AD
Alaric withdraws.
St. John Chrysostom (347-407). Deposed. 403 AD
He is ordered exiled (404) to the Caucasus in Armenia, by Arcadius, the emperor of the East.
Honorius. Ruler of the West.
Celebrates the victory over the Goths by reviving the gladiatorial games. The games had been
stopped by Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman emperor, in 325. 404 AD
Struck with the horror of the martyrdom of St. Telemachus (Almachius), Honorius, the Emperor of the West, issues an edict banning the games permanently.
Driven by the pressure of an eastern invasion upon their forests, a vast horde of Germanic barbarians under Radagasius push into Italy.
200,000 of them are men bearing weapons of war. 404-406 AD
Saint Jerome.
Translates the Scriptures from Hebrew and Greek in the first Latin or Vulgate (Vulgata) edition. 404 AD
Written at Bethlehem.
He began in 390 and finished in 404.
Battle of Fiesole. August 23, 406 AD
Flavius Stilicho annihilates a barbarian (Ostrogothic) invasion under
Radagaisus at a battle near Fiesole (Faesulae, Florence).
This Germanic barbarian horde swarmed over the Alps.
The number of Germanic barbarians is almost 100,000 men.
Radagaisus is captured and killed.
Gunderic (379-428). King of the Vandals. 406-428 AD
The Rhine River freezes over. Dec. 31, 406 AD
Across the Rhine River at various points, a vast horde of barbarians, Vandals, Suevi, and
Burgundians that are headed by the Alans, swarm into Roman Gaul (406-407).
It is estimated that a minimum of 20,000 Vandals alone perished in the winter crossing of the Rhine River.
This great barbarian horde sweeps across Europe into north Africa leaving behind a trail of death, misery, destruction, devastation, and confusion in what had once been civilized Gaul under Roman rule.
After ravaging the country from end to end, the barbarian hordes pass on into Spain.
Founding of the Burgundian kingdom on the Rhine River. 406 AD
Capital is Worms.
St. Jerome.
“Contra Vigilantium.” 406 AD
Dictated in one night.
St. Augustine.
“De Divinatione daemonum.” 406 AD
(“On the Divination of Demons”).
Hearing of the chaos on the other side of the English Channel in Gaul, the Roman army in Britain,
elects one of their number as the new Augustus of the West. The Usurper Flavius Claudius
Constantine leads the remains of his army in Britain and enters into Gaul.
The last Roman legions are gradually withdrawn from Britannia in order to protect Italy from the barbarian hordes. 407-410 AD
The Romano-Britons are left to fend for themselves.
The whole of the West is in chaos. 407 AD
Roman generals, barbarian chieftains, and peasant insurgents fight one another indiscriminately.
First Mongol Empire. Founded by the Avars (to 553). 407 AD
Saint Jerome.
“Commentaries on the Book of Daniel.” 407 AD
Written at Bethlehem.
St. John Chrysostomus (347-407).
Dies at Comana, Pontus. Sept. 14, 407 AD
The Franks forbid the Vandal barbarians to cross the Frankish borders and settle in their territory.
407 AD
Execution of Stilicho. 408 AD
Roman Emperor Honorius, ruler of the West, suspects Flavius Stilicho of plotting against him.
Stilicho is beheaded.
Death of Emperor Arcadius, ruler of the East. 408 AD
Theodosius II (b.401-d.450).
Successor to his father Arcadius, becomes Roman Emperor in the East. Rules 408-450. 408 AD
Second Invasion of Italy by the Visigoths. 408 AD
Alaric makes his first advance on the city of Rome.
Spain. Gerontius, the Roman governor, invites the Alani, Suevi, and Vandals into Roman Spain. 409 AD
The Vandals cross the Pyrenees Mountains and enter into Spain. 409 AD
Saint Paulinus of Nola (c.354-431).
Elected Bishop of Nola. 409 AD
Alaric I, the Visigothic chieftain, appears with his army before the gates of Rome for the second time.
Conquest and sack of Rome by the Visigoths, a German tribe, under Alaric. August 24, 410 AD
Rome now has an enemy within its walls - the first in over 1,100 years since the founding of Rome.
Incredibly the pagan Alaric spares the Christian Churches in Rome.
End of Roman rule in Britain. 410 AD
The Roman troops complete their withdrawal (begun in 407) from Britain and all of the British Isles.
Roman troops are sent elsewhere in order to protect the Roman Empire from the invading barbarians.
Alaric (d.410), the Visigothic chieftain, moves on after looting Rome.
His plan is to advance on Sicily and then to North Africa.
He will die however in the same year at Cosenza, Italy.
Famine followed by plague in Rome, Italy. Thousands die. 410 AD
Death of Alaric, the Visigoth leader at Cosenza in Southern Italy. 410 AD
Alaric was on his way further south as part of his plan to cross from Italy into Sicily and then
into North Africa.
Alaric is buried somewhere in the bed of the Busento River near Cosenza.
Alaric is succeeded by Athaulf, his brother-in-law.
Ataulphus (Athaulf). King of the Visigoths. 410-415 AD
Immediately upon the withdrawal of the Roman troops from Britain,
begins the invasion of Britain and the British Isles by the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes. c.410 AD
These are Germanic tribes from continental Europe.
These invasions will continue from 410 until 449.
St. Jerome.
“Commentaries on the Book of Isaiah.” 410 AD
“Commentaries on the Book of Ezekiel.” 410-414 AD
Both are written at Bethlehem.
St. Augustine.
“De Peccatorum meritis et remissione.” 411-412 AD
(“On the Forgiveness of Sin and Baptism”).
St. Augustine.
Begins writing “De Civitate Dei” (“The City of God”). c.412-426 AD
Written after the sack of Rome by Alaric the Visigoth in 410 AD.
It will take him 14 years to complete this great work.
Council at Carthage. 412 AD
Condemnation of the Donatist Heresy (Donatism).
Condemnation of Celestius, a follower of Pelagius (Pelagianism).
Ataulphus leads the Visigoths to settle in southwestern Gaul. 412-415 AD
Conquers Narbonne and Toulouse.
Makes Toulouse the Visigothic capital.
Isdegerdes of Persia. Conquers Armenia. 412 AD
Saint Patrick (387-461).
Studies at the monastery of Lérins. 412-415 AD
Saint Augustine.
“De Fide et Operibus.” 412-413 AD
(“On Faith and Works”).
“De Spiritu et Littera.” 412 AD
(“On the Spirit and the Letter”).
St. Cyril of Alexandria.
Succeeds his uncle Theophilus as Bishop of Alexandria. Oct. 18, 412 AD
Gundicar is the first king of Burgundy. 413-436 AD
He will die (436) in battle against Attila the Hun.
The emperor gives Gundicar (Gundahar), the first King of Burgundy, the right to form a kingdom
in the Rhine region, with the capital in what is now called Worms. 413 AD
Founding of the kingdom of Burgundy by Gondicar (Gundahar). 413 AD
Japan establishes contact with China. 413 AD
Saint Augustine.
“Tractatus in Joannis Evangelium.” 414-416/417 AD
(“Homilies on St. John’s Gospel”).
Pulcheria (b.399-d.453), the elder sister of Theodosius II, is named by the senate “augusta” and
regent (414-453) of Theodosius in the east. 414 AD
Pulcheria takes a vow of virginity and devotes herself to the raising of her brother.
Pelagius. British monk.
Proclaims his heresy (the Pelagian Heresy or Pelagianism). c.412 AD
His teachings include the denial of Original Sin and the need of Baptism.
Teaches that man can achieve righteousness through his own good works.
Divine grace is not necessary.
St. Jerome (c.342-420).
“Dialogi Contra Pelagianos”. In three books. 415 AD
Denounces Pelagianism.
Saint Augustine.
“De Natura et Gratia.” 415 AD
(“On Nature and Grace”).
“De Perfectione Iustitiae Hominis.” 415-416 AD
(“On Man’s Perfection in Righteousness”).
“Tractatus in Epistulam Joannis ad Parthos.” 415 AD
(“Homilies on St. John’s Epistle to the Parthi”).
“Against the Priscillianists and the Origenists”. 415 AD
The death of Hypatia at Alexandria, Egypt. 415 AD
Wallia. King of the Visigoths. 415-418 AD
The Visigoths invade Spain and begin wresting it from the Vandals. 415 AD
Conquest of the Vandal Kingdom in Spain by the Visigoths. 416 AD
Condemnation of the Pelagian Heresy by the African Bishops. 416 AD
Groups of armed Pelagians burn the monasteries at Bethlehem. 416 AD
St. Jerome escapes unharmed.
Innocent I (Pope).
Declares that pronouncements of bishops must be confirmed by the Roman See. 417 AD
Death of Pope Innocent I. March 12, 417 AD
Saint Zozimus (or Zosimus). 41st Pope. 417-418 AD
Birthplace: Greece.
Saint Augustine (354-430).
“De Correctione Donatistarum.” 417 AD
(“The Correction of the Donatists”).
Points out the many errors of Donatism (the Donatist Heresy).
Paulus Orosius. Latin theologian.
“Historiarum libri VII adversus paganos.” c.417 AD
(“Seven Books against the Pagans.”)
A history of the world up until his own time.
Death of St. Zenobius (337-417). May 25, 417 AD
Zenobius was the first Bishop of Florence, Italy.
Excommunication of Pelagius (Pelagianism). 418 AD
Pelagius (the Pelagian Heresy) disappears from the scene after his condemnation by Pope Zozimus. May 418 AD
Saint Boniface I. 42nd Pope. 418-422 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Reaffirms the condemnation of Pelagius and the Pelagian Heresy (Pelagianism).
Saint Augustine (354-430).
“De Gratia Christi et peccato originale.” 418 AD
(“The Grace of Christ, and on Original Sin”).
“De Patientia.” c. 418 AD
(“On Patience”).
Saint Germanus of Auxerre (c.378-448).
Named Bishop of Auxerre. 418 AD
Franks settle in parts of Gaul. 418 AD
The Goths under Athaulf (Ataulphus) settle in Aquitaine under treaty arrangements. 418 AD
Theodoric I. King of the Visigoths. 418-451 AD
The Visigoths establish kingdom in Spain. 418 AD
The Vandals are forced out of Spain by the Visigoths.
Formation of the Visigothic Kingdom of Spain (418-711). 418 AD
The Visigothic kingdom of Toulouse dominates the Iberian peninsula.
Christianity and Roman culture continue to spread through what is now Spain.
St. Augustine (354-430).
“De Anima et eius origine.” 419 AD
(“On the Soul and Its Origin”).
“Contra duas Epistulas Pelagianorum.” 419-420 AD
(“Against Two Letters of the Pelagians”).
“Questions on the Heptateuch”. 419 AD
St. Jerome.
“Commentaries on Jeremiah I-XXXII.” 419 AD
Written at Bethlehem.
Bahram V. King of Persia. 420-438 AD
Death of St. Jerome (c. 342-420) at Bethlehem. Sept. 30, 420 AD
John Cassian (c. 360-435).
“Institutes of the Coenobia”. c.420-427 AD
Bahram V, the king of Persia, angered at the destruction of a Mazdean (Zorastrian) temple,
unleashes a persecution of Christians throughout the kingdom of Persia. 420 AD
Persian War. 420-422 AD
Persian persecution of Christians leads to a renewal of war with Rome.
Persia will be defeated by the Romans.
Martyrdom of St. Hormisdas. Persian. 420 AD
Refuses to reject Jesus Christ at the demand of Bahram, the king of Persia.
Honorius, ruler of the West, makes Constantius, his brother-in-law, Constantius III, Emperor in
the West. 421 AD
Constantius dies in September.
Theodosius II, ruler of the East, marries Eudocia. 421 AD
Theodosius II. Eastern Emperor.
Sends an army to fight the Persians. 421 AD
Saint Augustine (354-430).
“Enchiridion ad Laurentium, seu de Fide, Spe et Caritate.” 421-422 AD
(“Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love”).
Theodosius II makes peace with Bahram (Varahran), king of Persia. 422 AD
End of the Persian War.
Saint Celestine I. 43rd Pope. 422-432 AD
Birthplace: Campania, Italy.
Condemns the Pelagian Heresy and will be an unyielding foe of Nestorianism (the Nestorian Heresy).
Saint Augustine (354-430).
“De VIII Quaestionibus Dulcitii.” 422 AD
(“On the Eight Questions of Dulcitius”).
Enunciation of Petrine doctrine by Pope St. Celestine I. 422-432 AD
St. Prosper of Aquitaine (c.390-c.465).
Begins his “Chronicle.” c. 423 AD
This work is a universal history from the Creation to the Vandal capture of Rome in 455.
Honorius, ruler of the Western Empire, dies at his new capital at Ravenna, Italy. 423 AD
Johannes attempts to make himself Roman Emperor in the West. 423 AD
Troops of Theodosius II, ruler of the East, kill the usurper Johannes. 425 AD
Valentinian III, nephew of Honorius, becomes Roman Emperor of the West.
Reign of Valentinian III, Western Emperor. 425-455 AD
Barbarian tribes settle in Roman provinces. 425 AD
The Vandals settle in South Spain, the Huns in Pannonia, the Ostrogoths in Dalmatia, the Visigoths
and Suevi in Portugal and North Spain.
Founding of the University of Constantinople. 425 AD
Saint Augustine.
“De Gratia et Libero Arbitrio.” 425 AD
(“On Grace and Free Will”).
Reaffirms the Christian doctrine that man has Free Will.
St. Augustine (354-430).
Completes “the City of God”. 426 AD
He began this work in 412.
St. Lupus is named Bishop of Troyes. c. 426 AD
John Cassian (c. 360-435).
“Conferences of the Desert Fathers”. c.426-429 AD
St. Augustine.
“De Correptione et Gratia.” 427 AD
(“On Rebuke and Grace”).
“Epistola ad Firmum.” c. 427 AD
(“Letter to Firmus”).
Nestorius is made Patriarch of Constantinople (from 428-431). 428 AD
Outbreak of Nestorianism (the Nestorian Heresy). 428 AD
Nestorius begins his career of heresy by denying that the Child born of Mary was God.
He declares that Jesus Christ was a mere man, conceived and born in the natural way common
to man, and that God came and dwelt in Him at a later period in His life.
Count Boniface summons the Vandals to north Africa. 428 AD
Eudocia, the wife of Theodosius, supports Nestorius and Nestorianism. 428 AD
Pulcheria, sister of Theodosius, maintains the Christian doctrine and eventually convinces
Theodosius to reject Nestorius and Nestorianism.
The court, convinced by the explanations of Eudocia, causes Pulcheria to be banished from the court.
St. Augustine.
“De Haeresibus ad Quodvultdeum”. 428 AD
(“On the Heresies, to Quodvultdeus”.
Genseric (Gaiseric). King of the Vandals. 428-477 AD
The Salian Franks begin to take control of Northern France. c.428 AD
Vandal conquest of Roman North Africa. 429 AD
Pressed by the Goths, the whole Vandal Kingdom with its armies under Genseric (rule: 428-477)
depart from Spain.
The Vandals cross the Strait of Gibraltar.
They invade and conquer North Africa.
The Vandals (80,000) overrun all of the western part of the North African coast, looting, burning, and killing.
Genseric establishes the Vandal Kingdom in North Africa.
The Vandal Kingdom in North Africa will last from 429 until 534.
St. Germanus of Auxerre (c.378-448) and St. Lupus, Bishop of Troyes,
are sent to Britain to combat the Pelagian Heresy (Pelagianism). 429 AD
They restore orthodoxy for a while.
Death of Saint Honoratus.
He dies in the arms of St. Hilary of Poitiers. 429 AD
St. Augustine.
"Adversus Iudaeos". 429-430 AD
("In answer to the Jews").
"De Praedestinatione Sanctorum" 429 AD
("On the Predestination of the Saints").
"De Dono Perseverantiae". 429 AD
("On the Gift of Perseverance").
Continued migrations of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes from the European Continent, cross the sea,
and enter into Britain. 429 AD
These invasions began in 410.
The Picts and the Scots are driven from southern England. 429 AD
The Vandal barbarians progress along the coast of North Africa. 430 AD
The Vandals besiege the episcopal city of Hippo Regius, North Africa.
Death of St. Augustine (354-430). August 28, 430 AD
For fourteen months the city of Hippo Regius is surrounded by the Vandal armies that cut it off
from the rest of the world.
St. Augustine dies in the third month of the siege at the age of seventy six. He is in full possession
of his faculties to the last.
St. Augustine was a defender of the Christian Doctrine against Arianism, Gnosticism, Manichaenism, Donatism, and Pelagianism.
Pope Celestine I. Holds a synod at Rome.
Condemns the Nestorian Heresy (Nestorianism). 430 AD
Plague. Britain. 430 AD
The plague leaves just enough people alive to bury the thousands
of dead bodies.
Armenia is divided between the Roman Empire and Persia. 431-440 AD
Third Ecumenical Council. The Council of Ephesus. 431 AD
Condemnation of Nestorius (Nestorianism).
Final anathematization of Pelagianism.
Pelagius is removed from his position as the Patriarch of Constantinople.
St. Cyril of Alexandria.
Presides over the Third General Council at Ephesus. 431 AD
Condemns all of the tenets of the heresiarchs Nestorius (the Nestorian Heresy), Pelagius (Pelagianism), and Donatus (Donatism).
St. Palladius (d.432).
A deacon at Rome, he is consecrated by Pope Celestine I. 431 AD
Palladius is sent to Ireland to be the first bishop of Ireland, and to begin the conversion of the
people of Ireland from paganism to Christianity.
St. Proclus (d.446).
Named Patriarch of Constantinople. 431 AD
He replaces the Heresiarch Nestorius.
Proclus continues his opposition to the doctrines of Nestorius (Nestorianism).
St. Mesrop (d. 441). Armenian.
St. Mesrop devotes himself to the study of Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Persian, and Syriac. c. 431 AD
Mesrop helps compose the Armenian alphabet, translates the New Testament into Armenian,
organizes schools in Armenia and Georgia, and creates a Georgian alphabet.
He founds his own school in Armenia, and continues teaching until his death at Valarshapat
when he is well past eighty years old.
Death of St. Paulinus of Nola (c.354-431). June 22, 431 AD
Saint Patrick. Arrives in Ireland to become Bishop. 432 AD
Patrick labors 30 years converting the natives of the land from paganism to Christianity (432-461 AD).
St. Patrick travels the length and breadth of the island meeting fierce opposition from the Druids
and hostile chieftains, whom he repeatedly overcomes. Eventually he begins the conversion of
the people of the island from paganism (mostly Druidism) to Christianity.
Saint Sixtus III. 44th Pope. 432-440 AD
Birthplace: Rome.
Reaffirms the condemnation of Pelagianism and Nestorianism.
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome. Construction begins. 432 AD
Commissioned by Sixtus III.
Flavius Aëtius.
Becomes the virtual ruler of the Western Roman Empire. 433-454 AD
Attila becomes ruler of the Huns with his brother Bleda. 433 AD
Attila the Hun begins his advance westward through Europe. 433 AD
Attila will rule the Huns until his death in 453.
Attila, the "Scourge of God", Hun chieftain.
Begins his attacks on Roman provinces. 433 AD
Famine and plague throughout Italy. 434 AD
Number dead is unknown.
Attila the Hun enters into a treaty with Theodosius II, the Eastern Roman Emperor. 434 AD
Theodosius II, Eastern Roman Emperor.
Agrees to pay tribute to the barbarian Attila the Hun. 434 AD
The Vandals capture Tripolitania (Western Libya). 435 AD
Flavius Aëtius. Roman general.
Rids Gaul of barbarians, defeating the Visigoths. 436 AD
Destruction of the Burgundian Kingdom of Worms by Attila the Hun. 436 AD
Gundahar, king of the Burgundians dies in battle
Pannonia, Dalmatia, and Noricum are lost by the Western Roman Empire to the Eastern Roman Empire. 437 AD
Theodosian Code (Codex Theodosianus). 438 AD
Theodosius II, Eastern Emperor, systemizes Roman Law for the
West and the East. Will be used later in compilation of the Justinian Code.
The last Roman troops leave what was once the province of Roman Britain. c. 438 AD
St. Secundinus (c. 375-447).
Sent from Gaul to assist Saint Patrick in Ireland. 439 AD
Fall of Carthage to the Vandals. 439 AD
The Vandals in north Africa under Genseric (Gaiseric) capture Carthage.
The Vandals make Carthage the capital of the Vandal Kingdom.
The Vandal Kingdom in North Africa becomes formally independent of the Roman Empire. 439 AD
St. Leo I, the Great (d.461). 44th Pope. 440-461 AD
Birthplace: Tuscany, Italy.
St. Leo strenuously opposes Arianism, Manichaeanism, Pelagianism, Donatism, Nestorianism,
and Priscillianism.
Varanes VI rules Persia. 440-457 AD
St. Germananus of Auxerre (c.378-448).
Returns to Britain to combat Pelagianism (the Pelagian Heresy). c. 440 AD
He is again successful, eliminating the heresy.
Saxons establish settlements by the Thames estuary in England. c. 441 AD
Death of St. Mesrop. Armenian. February 19, 441 AD
Eudocia, the wife of Theodosius, is found guilty of infidelity to the Emperor.
Eudocia is banished to Jerusalem. Pulcheria is recalled. 441 AD
Attila the Hun advances into the Eastern Roman Empire. 441 AD
Attila destroys the city of Naissus. 441 AD
Attila the Hun, the "Scourge of God ", is in Macedonia and Thrace. 442 AD
Theodosius II (b.401-d.450). Emperor of the Eastern Empire.
Orders military preparedness and vigilance against an expected attack by the Huns.
September 12, 443 AD
Burgundian kingdom is established in Upper Rhone and Sâone. 443 AD
The Alemanni settle in Alsace, France. 443 AD
The Vandals under Genseric (Gaiseric) take the last Roman possessions in Northern Africa. 443 AD
Genseric establishes an absolute monarchy.
Death of St. Cyril of Alexandria (376-444). June 444 AD
Bubonic Plague. Britain. 444 AD
Number of thousands dead is unknown.
Attila the Hun.
Murders his own brother and co-ruler Bleda. 445 AD
Attila now becomes the sole ruler of the Huns.
Attila, the Hun.
Rules from Hungary over Russia, Poland, and Germany. 445-453 AD
Attila extorts concessions from Theodosius II. He invades the Balkans and ravages Europe to
the walls of Constantinople.
Roman-British inhabitants of Britain are attacked by the Anglo-Saxons. They send a plea for help
to the Roman Emperor. British are forced out of their homeland and driven across the English
Channel into the land of the Armoricans in northern Gaul. 446 AD
Leads to the establishment of what today is called Brittany, a province of France.
The Britons make a last appeal to Rome to protect them against invasion. Western Emperor tells
them that they have to defend themselves. There are no Roman armies in Britain to protect them.446 AD
The Huns capture Roman forts at Ratiaria and Marcianople. 446 AD
Death of St. Proclus. July 24, 446 AD
Galla Placida erects her famous Mausoleum at Ravenna, Italy. 446 AD
Constantinople is struck by a most severe famine. Jan. 27, 447 AD
Number of thousands dead is unknown.
The Huns defeat the Eastern Roman army at Chersonesus, Greece. Spring 447 AD
Attila the Hun attacks the Roman Empire again. 447-450 AD
By this time, Attila the Hun has captured all of the Balkans from the Black Sea to the Dardanelles. 447 AD
St. Flavian succeeds St. Proclus as Patriarch of Constantinople. 447 AD
Merovech (Merovius). 448-457 AD
Merovech will powerfully assist in the defeat of Attila the Hun.
Merovech will give his name to the first line of French kings (the Merovingian Dynasty).
Death of St. Germanus of Auxerre (c. 378-448) at Ravenna. July 31, 448 AD
Priscus. 448 AD
Accompanies an embassy to the camp of Attila the Hun.
The small expedition travels by way of Nish.
Priscus writes an account about his visit to the court of Attila the Hun.
Eutyches of Constantinople.
Presents his doctrines and is condemned. 448 AD
His doctrines are called the “Eutychian Heresy” (Eutychianism).
This is the Monophysitic Heresy.
St. Leo the Great.
Dispatches his famous Dogmatic Letter or Tome on the nature of Christ to Flavian. June 449 AD
Leo I the Great.
Summons a packed council at Ephesus (the "Robber Council" as Leo called it). Aug. 449 AD
Theodosius II, emperor of the East, resolves to maintain its decisions despite Leo's desire to
]reopen the doctrinal question.
Theodosius II. Emperor of the East.
Supports Eutyches (Eutychianism) and his monophysitism. 449 AD
Theodosius II approves the decrees of the Robber Synod of Ephesus.
Pulcheria supports the plea of Pope St. Leo to reject the Eutychian Heresy.
Expulsion of the Scots and the Picts from southern England by the Angles, the Saxons, and the
Jutes who were originally from the European continent. 449 AD
The Jutes under Hengest and Horsa invade and conquer Kent in southern England. 449 AD
Completion of the invasion and conquest of Britain by the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes
that had come from the continent. 449 AD
Their Invasion of Britain had begun in 410 AD.
Anglo-Saxon Period in Britain. 449-1066 AD
Will end in the year 1066.
Theodosius II, emperor of the East, is killed in a fall from his horse while he is hunting. 450 AD
His sister, Pulcheria, is proclaimed Empress.
Pulcheria marries Marcion, with the condition that he respect her virginity.
Marcion (Marcianus) succeeds Theodosius II as Eastern Roman Emperor.
Marcion marries Pulcheria, the sister of Theodosius II. 450 AD
Marcianus (Marcion) rules: 450-457.
Marcion agrees to reopen the problem of the doctrinal issues of the Robber Council of Ephesus of 449.
Merovech (Merovius).
King of the Salian Franks. 450-457 AD
Founds the Merovingian Dynasty.
Marcion, the Eastern Roman Emperor, and Valentinian III, the Western Roman Emperor both
refuse to pay Attila the Hun the tribute that he demands. 450 AD
Attila the Hun attacks Italy. 450 AD
Death of St. Peter Chrysologus ("golden worded") (406-450), at Imola, Italy. July 31, 450 AD
Famine. Italy. 450 AD
Fourth General (Ecumenical) Council. October 8, 451 AD
The Council of Chalcedon.
Called by Pope Leo I the Great.
The council is sponsored by Marcion (the Eastern Emperor) and Pulcheria.
More than 500 Bishops are present.
End of the long struggle against Monophysitism (also called Eutychianism).
Monophysitism denies the humanity of Jesus Christ, holding that Christ had only one nature,
the divine nature.
The Monophysite Heresy is therefore condemned on the grounds that it ignores the humanity
of Jesus Christ.
Council condemns the Monophysite “Robber Synod” of Ephesus (449).
The Council reaffirms that Jesus Christ is true God and true man at the same time (100% God
and 100% man).
Pulcheria attends the third session which condemns Monophysitism.
The Nestorian Heresy is condemned and rejected once again.
The schism of the Egyptian, Armenian, Ethiopian, and Syrian Monophysite churches stems from
the decrees of the Council of Chalcedon of 451.
The monophysites reject the decrees of the Council of Chalcedon.
Death of the great Heresiarch Nestorius of Constantinople. 451 AD
The Coptic Church in Egypt adheres to Monophysitism.
The Egyptian church separates from the Roman Catholic Church. 451 AD
Pope Leo I, in a letter to Pulcheria, credits her with helping to overcome the Nestorian and Eutychian heresies and for the recall of the Christian
bishops who had been exiled by Theodosius II (d.450). 451 AD
Attila the Hun declares war on the Western Roman Empire. 451 AD
The Huns, a pagan, savage, and barbarian horde of invaders from the plains of central Asia,
prepare to attack Gaul. 451 AD
Attila the Hun, at this time has an army of more than 500,000 barbarians.
Attila the Hun invades Gaul. 451 AD
Moving through Gaul, Attila the Hun destroys the country side and massacres much of the population. 451 AD
Attila the Hun lays siege to the city of Orleans. 451 AD
Attila the Hun destroys the city of Metz. April 7, 451 AD
St. Genevieve (c. 422-500).
Prophesizes that Attila and his Huns will bypass the city of Paris. 451 AD
After she leads a crusade of prayer with the citizens, the city of Paris
is left unmolested by the Huns.
Flavius Aëtius, commander of the armies of the Western Empire, allies himself with Theodoric I,
son of Alaric, and king of the Visigoths. 451 AD
Flavius Aëtius, accompanied by Theodoric I, arrives at the city of Orleans, defeats Attila the Hun,
and saves the city of Orleans from destruction. Attila retires to the plain of Moirey. 451 AD
Battle of Châlons. June 451 AD (This battle is also called the Battle of the Catelaunian Fields)
near Châlons (Troyes).
Attila the Hun is defeated by an alliance of Romans, Visigoths, Franks, and Allemani led by the
Roman general Flavius Aëtius at the Battle of Châlons in Champagne.
Over 250,000 men are killed on both sides in this battle.
Attila the Hun flees but Aëtius does not give chase.
Europe is saved from Attila the Hun, “the Scourge of God”.
Theodoric I, who fell in the Battle of Châlons, is succeeded by his son Thorismond (also Thorismund).
Thorismond is King of the Visigoths. 451-453 AD
Attila the Hun, repulsed at the Battle of Châlons in Gaul, retreats across the Rhine River back
into Hungary. 451 AD
Attila now prepares to invade Italy.
Attila the Hun overruns and ravages Northern Italy. 451-452 AD
He burns Aquileia and Padua, and loots the city of Milan.
Everywhere, Attila and the Huns leave a path of unimaginable death
and destruction behind them.
Attila the Hun.
Announces from Milan his intention of conquering Rome itself. 452 AD
Helpless to prevent the conquest by military force, the emperor
abdicates his responsibility to Pope Leo I the Great.
Attila the Hun advances on Rome with his huge barbarian armies. 452 AD
Pope Saint Leo I the Great. 452 AD
Dissuades Attila the Hun from destroying Rome in a face-to-face meeting at Peschiera.
Rome is saved from the Huns.
Traditional date for the founding of the city of Venice. 452 AD
Venice is founded by refugees that seek refuge from the armies of Attila the Hun.
Death of Attila the Hun on his wedding night. 453 AD
His army breaks up. The Huns raise the siege and leave Italy.
The Huns dissolve into the surrounding populations.
The empire of the Huns will vanish out of history with their withdrawal from Europe in 469.
Death of St. Pulcheria (399-453). July 453 AD
During her life, she built many Christian churches, hospitals, and hospices. She encouraged
the building of a university in Constantinople, which is where she died.
Theodoric rebels against his brother and predecessor, Thorismund and has him killed. 453 AD
Theodoric II, King of the Visigoths. 453-466 AD
The Ostrogoths settle in Pannonia and Moesia. c. 454 AD
Death of Eutyches. 454 AD
Heresiarch (founder) of the Eutychian Heresy (Eutychianism).
Valentinian III, Roman emperor in the West, kills Aëtius. Sept. 454 AD
Valentinian III, Roman Emperor in the West, is murdered. 455 AD
Petronius Maximus is emperor in the west (455 only).
Sack of Rome by the Vandals. June 455 AD
The Vandals come by ships to sack the city of Rome.
Rome is seized, sacked, and pillaged by the Vandal barbarians under
Genseric (Gaiseric).
The Vandals plunder Rome for two weeks (June 2-16).
The Vandals cross over into Sicily and set up a kingdom in West Sicily
which will endure there until 534 AD.
Avitus. Roman Emperor of the West. 455-456 AD
Ricimer, leader of the Goths from Central Germany, in Roman
service, is the virtual ruler of the Western Empire. 455-475 AD
Ricimer. Roman general of Germanic (Suevian) origin.
Defeats the Vandal barbarians. 456 AD
Battle of Aylesford. 456 AD
Jutish Invasion of England.
The Jutes under Hengist and Horsa defeat the Britons under Vortigern.
Horsa is killed in battle.
Battle of Crayford. 456 AD
The Jutes under Hengist defeat the Britons under Vortigern.
The Britons are defeated and driven out of Kent.
Hengist (Jute).
Founds the kingdom of Kent in England. 456 AD
The Britons are defeated and driven out of Kent, England. 456 AD
They settle in Bretagne.
Majorian. Emperor in the West. 456-461 AD
St. Sabbas (439-532). 456 AD
Goes to Jerusalem and there enters a monastery under St. Theoctistus.
Leo I. Eastern Roman Emperor. 457-474 AD
Childeric conquers to the Loire River, including Paris. 457 AD
Childeric I is King of the Salian Franks. 457-481 AD
Saint Remigus (also known as Remi, c.437-530).
Appointed Bishop of Rheims. Remi is only twenty two years old. 459 AD
Death of St. Simeon Stylites the Elder (c.388-459). Sept. 2, 459 AD
Capture of Cologne by the Franks. 460 AD
Destruction of the Roman fleet off Cartagena by the Vandals. 460 AD
Death of Pope Leo I, the Great. November 10, 461 AD
Saint Hilary (or St. Hilarius). 47th Pope. 461-468 AD
Birthplace: Sardinia.
Election of a Monophysite (Monophysitism) to the eastern patriarchate of Antioch. 461 AD
Livius Severus. Western Roman Emperor. 461-465 AD
Death of St. Patrick of Ireland. March 17, 461 AD
During his 30 years in Ireland, he raised the standards of education, encouraged the study of
Latin, and began the conversion of the Irish people from paganism to Christianity.
The Burgundians, a Germanic tribe, make Lyon their capital. 461 AD
Founding of the famous Studios Monastery. 463 AD
Council at Rome. 465 AD
Disastrous fire in Constantinople. 465 AD
Death of St. Prosper of Reggio. June 25, 466 AD
He ruled as the bishop of Reggio in the province of Emilia, Italy for 22 years.
Leo I, Eastern Emperor, has Anthemius, elected Emperor of the West. 467 AD
Anthemius. Western Roman Emperor. 467-472 AD
Leo I, the emperor of the East, and Anthemius, the emperor of the West, assemble a fleet of over
1000 ships in order to attack the Vandal kingdom in North Africa. 467 AD
The Huns invade Dacia. 466 AD
Leo I, Emperor of the Eastern Empire, beats them off with the aid of generals Anagastus and Anthemius.
Euric the Visigoth.
Murders his brother Theodoric II, King of the Visigoths (453-466).
Euric becomes the King of the Visigoths (rules 466-484). 466 AD
Conquest of Spain by the Visigoths. 466 AD
Reign of Euric, who established the Visigothic kingdom in Spain.
The Visigothic kingdom extends from the Loire River to Southern Spain.
Famine. England. 466 AD
Number of thousands dead is unknown.
Saint Simplicius. 48th Pope. 468-483 AD
Birthplace: Latium, Italy.
He re-affirms the condemnation of the Monophysite Heresy (Monophysitism).
Flood. Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Empire. 469 AD
Four days of continuous rain flood the city.
Uncounted hundreds are killed.
The East Romans under Basiliscus attack the Vandals in Africa. 468 AD
Genseric (Gaiseric) defeats them off Cape Bon (in modern Tunisia).
Leo I, Emperor of the East.
Fends off another invasion of Dacia by the Huns. 468 AD
Codex Euricanus. 470 AD
Composition of the oldest Germanic code of law.
It is written in Latin under the direction of Euric, King of the Visigoths.
By this time, the White Huns have almost completely destroyed the Gupta Empire in India.
Disintegration of the Gupta Kingdom. c.470 AD
The White Huns dominate northern India.
Death of Dengizik, the Hunnic king (Attila’s second son). 469 AD
Withdrawal of the Huns from Europe. 469 AD
The Huns vanish from history.
Their disappearance is not mourned.
Raid of Epthalites into India. 470 AD
First detailed records of Japanese history. 470 AD
Theodoric the Great (d.526).
Becomes king of the Ostrogoths. Theodoric rules 471-526. 471 AD
He will become king of all of Italy in 493.
The Goths attack the approaches to Constantinople.
The attack is called off as Zeno, Leo’s son-in-law, has Ardaburius, the leader of the Goths killed. 471 AD
Anthemius, Western Emperor, is killed by Ricimer, the barbarian general. Ricimer appoints Olybrius. 472 AD
Olybrius. Western Roman Emperor. 472 AD
Ricimer dies. Gundobad, the Burgundian, takes control of the army of the Western Empire. 472 AD
Olybrius dies. Western Empire is left without an emperor. 472 AD
Much of Europe is covered with ash from the Vesuvius volcano. 472 AD
Death of Saint Euthymius the Great (c.378-473). January 20, 473 AD
Gundobad, the Burgundian, names Glycerius as the Western Roman Emperor. 473 AD
Glycerius. Western Roman Emperor (473-474 AD).
At the instigation of Leo I, the ruler of the East, Julius Nepos marches on Rome. 474 AD
Julius Nepos removes Glycerius, and makes himself Emperor of the West.
Julius Nepos. Western Roman Emperor (474-475 AD).
Leo I of the Eastern Empire dies. Leo I is succeeded by Zeno. 474 AD
Reign of Zeno. Eastern Roman Emperor. 474-491 AD
Orestes, Roman commander, expels Julius Nepos, the western emperor, and names his son,
Romulus Augustulus, Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. 475 AD
Reign of Romulus Augustulus. 475-476 AD
Romulus Augustulus is the last Roman Emperor of the West.
Euric, leader of the Visigoths, declares independence. 475 AD
Writings of Dionysius Areopagita. 475-525 AD
The northern end of Europe is visited by a plague of locusts. 475 AD
Crops are destroyed. Famine follows.
Number of thousands of deaths is unknown.
Proclus (c.410-485). Neo-Platonist philosopher.
Becomes head of the Platonic Academy at Athens. 476 AD
Battle of Pavia. August 476 AD
Odoacer, Germanic chieftain, defeats the forces defending the last Western Roman Emperor,
Romulus Augustulus, at Pavia, in northern Italy.
Zeno, the Eastern Roman Emperor, is forced to abdicate by Basiliscus.
Basiliscus takes the eastern throne (Jan. 9, 475-August 476). 476 AD
Basiliscus, a Monophysite pretender, usurps the East Roman throne.
He deposes Zeno the Isaurian.
Zeno, however, will be restored in 477.
Basiliscus, the Pretender, is supported by the Monophysites, who had rejected the Council of
Chalcedon (451).
The Monophysites, of course, recall all of the monophysite bishops.
In August 476, Zeno besieges Constantinople. Aug. 476 AD
Basiliscus, the usurper, flees into the Hagia Sophia.
Basiliscus, surrenders after extracting a promise from Zeno that he
will not shed his blood.
Basiliscus is sent to Cappadocia, where Zeno orders that he be enclosed in a dry cistern.
He will die there from exposure.
Genseric, the Vandal, concludes a treaty with Zeno, the Eastern Emperor. Zeno recognizes Vandal
rule over all of western Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and the Balearic Islands. 476 AD
Fall of the Roman Empire. Sept. 4, 476 AD
This is the traditional date of the fall of the Roman Empire.
Odoacer (433-493), Germanic leader of the Herulii and Rugii, deposes Romulus Augustulus and is the first “barbarian” ruler of Italy.
Odoacer founds the Kingdom of Italy.
With the deposition of Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman Emperor of the west, by Odoacer, the Western Roman Empire ceases to exist.
Odoacer informs Constantinople that there is no emperor in the West.
Odoacer is recognized as the head of the Western Empire by Zeno, the emperor of the Eastern Empire.
Previously under Roman rule, the Eastern Empire continues to survive.
This event marks the start of the Byzantine Empire.
The Byzantine Empire will continue from 476 until it is finally destroyed by the moslems in the year 1453.
The Byzantine Empire survives for 977 years until 1453.
Genseric (Gaiseric), the King of the Vandals, cedes Sicily, with the exception of the city of Lilybaeum,
to Odoacer, the Germanic chieftain, that has deposed the last Roman Emperor of the West. 476 AD
This is in exchange for an annual tribute to Odoacer.