212 CE
The edict of Emperor Caracalla (Constitutio Antoniniana) extends Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the Roman Empire, with the exception of a limited group that may include Egyptians. The Jewish people are among those who receive citizenship. All free women in the Empire are given the same rights as Roman women. Roman jurist Papinian, one of the famous jurists who flourished during the reign of the late emperor Septimius Severus, refuses to write a legal defence for the murder of Caracalla's brother, Emperor Geta. He is beheaded in Rome, in Caracalla's presence. Caracalla quiets the objections of the Roman army to Geta's murder, by huge donations.
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
- Edessa in Mesopotamia becomes a Roman province.source
- The edict of Emperor Caracalla (Constitutio Antoniniana) extends Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the Roman Empire, with the exception of a limited group that may include Egyptians. The Jewish people are among those who receive citizenship. All free women in the Empire are given the same rights as Roman women.source
Technology & Infrastructure
- Construction begins on the Baths of Caracalla in Rome.source
Crime & Justice
- Roman jurist Papinian, one of the famous jurists who flourished during the reign of the late emperor Septimius Severus, refuses to write a legal defence for the murder of Caracalla's brother, Emperor Geta. He is beheaded in Rome, in Caracalla's presence.source
- Caracalla quiets the objections of the Roman army to Geta's murder, by huge donations.source
Deaths
- Serenus Sammonicus, Roman poet and physiciansource
- Papinian, Roman jurist and praetorian prefect (b. 142)source
- Annia Cornificia Faustina Minor, daughter of Marcus Aurelius (b. 160)source
- Zhang Hong, Chinese official and politician (b. 153)source
- Xun Yu, Chinese politician and adviser (b. 163)source
- Ma Teng (or Shoucheng), Chinese general and warlordsource
- Gao You, Chinese scholar, historian, politician and writer (b 168).source