Directory

259 CE

Mesopotamia: Odaenathus, the ruler of the kingdom of Palmyra, sacks the city of Nehardea, destroying its great yeshiva. Postumus revolts against Gallienus in Gaul. The western provinces of Britain and Spain join his independent realm—which is called in modern times the Gallic Empire. Battle of Mediolanum: A Germanic confederation, the Alamanni (300,000 warriors), who crossed the Alps, are defeated by Roman legions under Gallienus, near Mediolanum (modern Milan).

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Postumus revolts against Gallienus in Gaul. The western provinces of Britain and Spain join his independent realm—which is called in modern times the Gallic Empire.source

Conflict & Security

  • The Franks, who invaded the Roman Empire near Cologne in 257, reach Tarraco in Hispania.source
  • Mesopotamia: Odaenathus, the ruler of the kingdom of Palmyra, sacks the city of Nehardea, destroying its great yeshiva.source
  • Battle of Mediolanum: A Germanic confederation, the Alamanni (300,000 warriors), who crossed the Alps, are defeated by Roman legions under Gallienus, near Mediolanum (modern Milan).source

Religion & Belief

  • Pope Dionysius is elected as the pope.source

Health & Medicine

  • Emperor Valerian leads an army (70,000 men) to relieve Edessa, besieged by the forces of Persian King Shapur I. An outbreak of a plague kills many legionaries, weakening the Roman position in Syria.source

Crime & Justice

  • The Roman fort of Wiesbaden (Germany) is captured by the Alamanni (possibly 260).source
  • Postumus, governor of Gaul, declares himself Emperor, and continues to rule the Gallic Empire until 269, when he is killed by his soldiers.source

Births

  • Yang Zhi, Chinese empress of the Jin Dynasty (d. 292)source
  • Tao Kan (or Shixing), Chinese general and politician (d. 334)source
  • Hui of Jin, Chinese emperor of the Jin Dynasty (d. 307)source

Deaths

  • January 10 – Polyeuctus, Roman soldier and saintsource
  • January 18 – Sun Chen, Chinese general and regent (b. 232)source
  • Wang Chang (or Wenshu), Chinese general and politiciansource
  • Cao Jun (or Zi'an), Chinese prince and son of Cao Caosource
  • Fructuosus of Tarragona, Christian bishop, martyr and saintsource
  • Augurius of Tarragona, Christian Hispano-Roman clergymansource