Directory

315 CE

The Arch of Constantine is completed near the Colosseum at Rome to commemorate Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge. As part of the ceremony Constantine is expected to make a sacrifice to Rome's traditional gods, but he refuses to do so. Crucifixion is abolished as punishment in the Roman Empire. Constantine the Great and co-emperor Licinius battle the Sarmates, the Goths and the Carpians along the Danube. Constantine leads a punitive expedition into Dacia and reestablishes the Roman fortifications of the frontier.

Exploration & Expansion

  • Constantine the Great and co-emperor Licinius battle the Sarmates, the Goths and the Carpians along the Danube. Constantine leads a punitive expedition into Dacia and reestablishes the Roman fortifications of the frontier.source

Religion & Belief

  • The lamb becomes the symbol of Jesus in Christian art.source
  • Eusebius becomes bishop of Caesarea (approximate date).source
  • Constantine I dedicates the Basilica of Maxentius and installs a large statue of himself inside it.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • July 25 – The Arch of Constantine is completed near the Colosseum at Rome to commemorate Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge. As part of the ceremony Constantine is expected to make a sacrifice to Rome's traditional gods, but he refuses to do so.source
  • Immense baths are constructed in Augusta Treverorum (modern-day Trier).source

Health & Medicine

  • A program of assistance to the poor is established in the Roman Empire.source

Crime & Justice

  • Crucifixion is abolished as punishment in the Roman Empire.source

Births

  • Hilary of Poitiers, Christian bishop and Doctor of the Churchsource
  • Himerius, Greek sophist and rhetorician (approximate date)source
  • Vettius Agorius Praetextatus, Roman politician (d. 384)source
  • Flavius Hannibalianus, ruler of Armenia and Pontus (d. 337)source

Deaths

  • September 14 – Maternus of Cologne, bishop of Triersource
  • Prisca, Roman empress and wife of Diocletian (b. 247)source
  • Du Tao (or Jingwen), Chinese general and rebel leadersource
  • Galeria Valeria, Roman empress and wife of Galeriussource
  • Valerius of Saragossa, Christian bishop and martyrsource