Directory

256 CE

Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 3035, a warrant for the arrest of a Christian, is written. King Shapur I of the Sasanian Empire invades Mesopotamia and Syria. He conquers and plunders Antioch, destroys Dura-Europos, and sacks the Anatolian city of Zeugma on the Euphrates. A devastating fire and an earthquake soon follow, causing Zeugma to be abandoned. Pope Stephen I threatens to excommunicate Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, and other bishops in Africa and Asia Minor, unless they stop rebaptizing heretics. Cyprian attacks the Pope in a treatise that gains support from the Council of Carthage. He sends envoys to Rome, raising the specter of a schism between the Roman and Carthaginian Churches.

Conflict & Security

  • The Goths invade Asia Minor. Dacia is lost for the Roman Empire, and the Goths appear at the walls of Thessalonica.source
  • In Africa, the Berbers massacre Roman colonists.source
  • King Shapur I of the Sasanian Empire invades Mesopotamia and Syria. He conquers and plunders Antioch, destroys Dura-Europos, and sacks the Anatolian city of Zeugma on the Euphrates. A devastating fire and an earthquake soon follow, causing Zeugma to be abandoned.source
  • Cities in the Roman Empire begin to build walls, as the defense of the frontiers begins to crumble; future emperor Aurelian inspects along the Rhine.source
  • Peace and unity are finally restored in China, with the victories of the Wei Kingdom in the north. The ruling dynasty is worn out by war, and the kingdom is ruled by ministers on their behalf.source
  • The Franks cross the Rhine; the Alemanni reach Mediolanum (Milan) (disputed date).source

Religion & Belief

  • February 28 – Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 3035, a warrant for the arrest of a Christian, is written.source
  • Emperor Valerian persecutes Christians.source
  • Pope Stephen I threatens to excommunicate Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, and other bishops in Africa and Asia Minor, unless they stop rebaptizing heretics. Cyprian attacks the Pope in a treatise that gains support from the Council of Carthage. He sends envoys to Rome, raising the specter of a schism between the Roman and Carthaginian Churches.source

Health & Medicine

  • The great pandemic of the Roman world strikes violently in Pontus on the Black Sea, and causes enormous loss of life in Alexandria, encouraging thousands to embrace Christianity.source

Births

  • Arius, Egyptian priest and founder of Arianism (d. 336)source
  • Wang Yan (or Yifu), Chinese official and politician (d. 311)source

Deaths

  • March 11 – Cao Lin, Chinese prince and son of Cao Caosource
  • October 19 – Sun Jun (or Ziyuan), Chinese general and regent (b. 219)source
  • October 21 – Lü Dai (or Dinggong), Chinese general (b. 161)source
  • November 12 – Lü Ju (or Shiyi), Chinese general and politiciansource
  • Guan Lu (or Gongming), Chinese diviner and politician (b. 209)source
  • Wang Su (or Ziyong), Chinese scholar and official (b. 195)source