Directory

251 CE

The first Synod of Carthage, a pre-ecumenical council, is held under the presidency of Saint Cyprian. Battle of Abritus: The Goths defeat Emperor Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus, on swampy ground in the Dobruja (Moesia). Sassanid King Shapur I orders an invasion of Syria, with the intent of finally capturing the city of Antioch during the campaign of 251–254.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Sima Shi, Sima Yi's eldest son, inherits his father's authority.source
  • Gallus makes peace with the Goths; he permits them to keep their plunder, and offers them a bribe not to return.source

Conflict & Security

  • July 1 – Battle of Abritus: The Goths defeat Emperor Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus, on swampy ground in the Dobruja (Moesia).source
  • Sassanid King Shapur I orders an invasion of Syria, with the intent of finally capturing the city of Antioch during the campaign of 251–254.source
  • Wang Ling's rebellion against the Wei regent Sima Yi is quelled.source
  • The prosperity of Roman Britain declines during this period, as the Germanic tribes of the Franks and Saxons, whose homelands are in Friesland and the Low Countries, make raids around the southeast coast.source

Religion & Belief

  • March – Pope Cornelius succeeds Pope Fabian as the 21st pope.source
  • May – The first Synod of Carthage, a pre-ecumenical council, is held under the presidency of Saint Cyprian.source

Health & Medicine

  • A 15-year plague begins in the Roman Empire.source
  • In Rome, Hostilian, son of Decius, succeeds his father, while Trebonianus Gallus is proclaimed Emperor by the troops. Gallus accepts him as co-emperor, but an outbreak of plague strikes the city, and kills Hostilian.source
  • Sima Yi passes away in Luoyang.source

Births

  • January 12 – Anthony the Great, Christian monk and saint (d. 356)source

Deaths

  • February 5 – Cao Lin, Chinese prince of the Cao Wei statesource
  • June 15 – Wang Ling, Chinese general and politiciansource
  • August 22 – Zhen, Chinese empress of the Cao Wei statesource
  • September 7 – Sima Yi, Chinese general and regent (b. 179)source
  • Herennius Etruscus, Roman emperor and son of Deciussource
  • Cao Biao, Chinese prince of the Cao Wei state (b. 195)source
  • Lü Yi, Chinese official, governor and politiciansource
  • Decius, Roman emperor (killed after the battle of Abritus)source
  • Agatha of Sicily, Christian martyr and saint (approximate date)source
  • Hostilian, Roman emperor (of plague in Rome)source
  • Deng Zhi, Chinese general, politician and diplomatsource