Directory

220 CE

Cao Cao, Imperial Chancellor and ruler of the Kingdom of Wei, dies. Cao Pi receives the abdication of Emperor Xian of Han and proclaims himself emperor of Cao Wei. This ends the Han dynasty, the former emperor being created Duke of Shanyang. Elagabalus divorces Julia Paula and marries Aquilia Severa, a Vestal Virgin. The wedding causes an enormous controversy – traditionally, the punishment for breaking celibacy is death by being buried alive.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • December 11 – Cao Pi receives the abdication of Emperor Xian of Han and proclaims himself emperor of Cao Wei. This ends the Han dynasty, the former emperor being created Duke of Shanyang.source
  • Imperator Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (Elagabalus) and Publius Valerius Comazon become Roman consuls.source

Conflict & Security

  • The Goths invade Asia Minor and the Balkans.source
  • King Ardashir I, founder of the Sassanid dynasty, gains support from some Parthian sub-kings and revolts against the rule of Vologases VI. Ardashir, a grandson of Sasan, had ruled Persis since 208 and six years earlier gained control of the region surrounding Persepolis.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • An Indian delegation visits the Roman emperor Elagabalus.source

Religion & Belief

  • The Wei dynasty gives official recognition to Taoism as its religious sect, and the sect's celestial masters reciprocate, by giving spiritual approbation to the Wei as successors to the Han. By the end of the century, most powerful families in northern China have subscribed to Daoist principles.source

Climate & Environment

  • Great frost in Roman Britain is said to have lasted for five months.source

Culture & Society

  • Elagabalus divorces Julia Paula and marries Aquilia Severa, a Vestal Virgin. The wedding causes an enormous controversy – traditionally, the punishment for breaking celibacy is death by being buried alive.source

Births

  • Wei Guan, Chinese official of the Cao Wei state and the Western Jin dynasty (d. 291)source

Deaths

  • March 15 – Cao Cao, Imperial Chancellor and ruler of the Kingdom of Wei, dies.source
  • March 15 – Cao Cao, Chinese warlord of the Eastern Han dynasty (b. 155)source
  • June 13 – Xiahou Dun, Chinese general serving under the Eastern Han dynasty warlord Cao Caosource
  • December – Cheng Yu, Chinese official serving under the Eastern Han dynasty warlord Cao Cao (b. 141)source
  • Guan Yu, Chinese general serving under the Eastern Han dynasty warlord Liu Beisource
  • Tertullian, first Christian author to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature (b. 155)source
  • Lü Meng, Chinese general serving under the Eastern Han dynasty warlord Sun Quan (b. 178)source
  • Bassilla, Roman actress, dancer and singer (approximate year)source
  • Huang Zhong, Chinese general serving under the Eastern Han dynasty warlord Liu Beisource
  • Fa Zheng, Chinese official serving under the Eastern Han dynasty warlord Liu Bei (b. 176)source