Directory

291 CE

The Tervingian Goths and Taifali fight the Vandals and Gepids. War of the Eight Princes: After the death of Emperor Sima Yan (Jin Wudi), a civil war breaks out among the princes and dukes of the Jin Dynasty. The struggle devastates and depopulates the provinces of northern China. Perhaps in cooperation with the forces of Maximian, Carausius campaigns successfully against Germanic raids in Gaul and Britain. Also during his reign, Carausius begins building the forts of the Saxon Shore.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • An uneasy peace is established between the emperors Diocletian and Maximian on the one hand, and the rival emperor Carausius on the other.source
  • Perhaps in cooperation with the forces of Maximian, Carausius campaigns successfully against Germanic raids in Gaul and Britain. Also during his reign, Carausius begins building the forts of the Saxon Shore.source
  • Winter: The emperors Diocletian and Maximian convene in Milan.source

Conflict & Security

  • A force of Goths defeat the Burgundians.source
  • The Tervingian Goths and Taifali fight the Vandals and Gepids.source
  • The Alemanni, having been expelled from part of their territory by the Burgundians, seek to regain their lost lands. These peoples had unsuccessfully invaded Gaul in tandem in 285/6, and the Alemanni had likely been weakened by the Roman counter-invasions of 287 and 288.source
  • King Bahram II fights against a coalition consisting of his brother Hormizd of Sakastan, the Kushano-Sasanians, and the Gilans.source
  • The Blemmyes invade the Kingdom of Kush.source

Births

  • Li Xiu, female general during the Jin Dynastysource
  • Saint Philomena, Christian martyress (d. c. 304)source
  • Saint Hilarion, anchorite and saint (d. 371)source
  • Saint Agnes, Christian martyress (d. c. 304)source

Deaths

  • Wen Yang, general of the Kingdom of Wei (b. 238)source
  • Wei Guan, general of the Kingdom of Wei (b. 220)source
  • War of the Eight Princes: After the death of Emperor Sima Yan (Jin Wudi), a civil war breaks out among the princes and dukes of the Jin Dynasty. The struggle devastates and depopulates the provinces of northern China.source
  • Sima Liang, regent during the reign of Sima Yansource
  • Yang Jun, official during the reign of Sima Yansource
  • Sima Wei, prince during the Jin Dynasty (b. 271)source