Directory

260 CE

King Shapur I sends Valerian to Bishapur and uses the captured Roman army for engineering plans. They construct the Band-e Kaisar ("Bridge of Valerian"). Pope Dionysius convenes a synod at Rome to demand an explanation from bishop Dionysius of Alexandria, who has been charged with separating the members of the Trinity as three distinct deities. Emperor Cao Mao of Former Wei state attempts to lead a coup against the powerful regent Sima Zhao, but he himself is killed before it comes to a confrontation.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Gallienus establishes himself at Mediolanum (modern Milan); he reorganizes the army, supported by elite cavalry, and dispatches troops to the Rhine frontier.source
  • Gallienus becomes the sole emperor of Rome; during his reign the Pannonian governor Ingenuus revolts on the Danube.source
  • The Franks take control over the Scheldt estuary (approximate date).source
  • Postumus executes Saloninus and his adviser Silvanus after breaching the walls of Cologne. He is recognized as emperor and establishes his capital at Trier.source
  • Postumus wins over all the Roman provinces west of the Alps, including Gaul, Britain and Hispania.source
  • Saloninus, son of Gallienus, is proclaimed Augustus by his troops. Postumus besieges Cologne, where Silvanus is praetorian prefect and Roman ruler of Gaul.source

Conflict & Security

  • June 2 – Cao Mao is killed in a coup d'état against Sima Zhao. The 14-year-old Cao Huan becomes ruler of Former Wei, but the Sima clan controls the state.source
  • King Shapur I captures Valerian.source
  • Battle of Edessa: With a large army, said to number 70,000 men, Valerian attempts to drive the Persians back from Edessa. The Roman army is surrounded and most of its troops are killed or captured. Valerian is taken prisoner for the remainder of his life.source
  • The Roman fort of Wiesbaden (Germany) is captured by the Alamanni.source
  • Postumus, Roman usurper, forms the Gallic Empire and protects the Rhine against an invasion of Germanic tribes.source
  • Persian king Shapur I destroys Caesarea Mazaca in Asia Minor.source
  • Emperor Cao Mao of Former Wei state attempts to lead a coup against the powerful regent Sima Zhao, but he himself is killed before it comes to a confrontation.source
  • Gallienus evacuates the fortifications (limes) in the Agri Decumates (Germania Superior), covering the Black Forest area in the face of invading Alamanni.source

Religion & Belief

  • Pope Dionysius convenes a synod at Rome to demand an explanation from bishop Dionysius of Alexandria, who has been charged with separating the members of the Trinity as three distinct deities.source
  • Paul of Samosata becomes Patriarch of Antioch.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • King Shapur I sends Valerian to Bishapur and uses the captured Roman army for engineering plans. They construct the Band-e Kaisar ("Bridge of Valerian").source

Science & Discovery

  • Earliest known date of chess (approximate date).source

Births

  • Eusebius of Caesarea, Greek bishop and historian (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • June 2 – Cao Mao, Chinese emperor of the Cao Wei state (b. 241)source
  • July 2 – Cao Jie, Chinese empress of the Han Dynasty (b. 197)source
  • Wang Guan (or Weitai), Chinese official and politiciansource
  • Chen Tai (or Xuanbo), Chinese general and politiciansource
  • Valerianus I, Roman consul and emperor (approximate date)source
  • Regalianus (or Regalian), Roman general and usurpersource
  • Sun Liang, Chinese emperor of the Eastern Wu state (b. 243)source
  • Saloninus, Roman emperor and son of Gallienus (b.242)source
  • Shapur Meshanshah, Sasanian prince and governorsource
  • Wang Jing (or Yanwei), Chinese official and politiciansource