Directory

316 CE

Battle of Cibalae: Constantine the Great defeats his rival Licinius near the town of Colonia Aurelia Cibalae (modern-day Vinkovci, Croatia). Licinius is forced to flee to Sirmium and loses all of the Balkans except for Thrace. Peace negotiations are initiated between the two Augusti, but they are unsuccessful. Battle of Mardia: Constantine I defeats his rival Licinius and senior officer Valerius Valens, near the town of Harmanli (Bulgaria). Han-Zhao forces capture Chang'an, capital of the Chinese Western Jin dynasty. Emperor Min of Jin surrenders to Liu Yao, ending the Western Jin.

Conflict & Security

  • October 8 – Battle of Cibalae: Constantine the Great defeats his rival Licinius near the town of Colonia Aurelia Cibalae (modern-day Vinkovci, Croatia). Licinius is forced to flee to Sirmium and loses all of the Balkans except for Thrace. Peace negotiations are initiated between the two Augusti, but they are unsuccessful.source
  • December – Battle of Mardia: Constantine I defeats his rival Licinius and senior officer Valerius Valens, near the town of Harmanli (Bulgaria).source
  • Han-Zhao forces capture Chang'an, capital of the Chinese Western Jin dynasty. Emperor Min of Jin surrenders to Liu Yao, ending the Western Jin.source
  • Constantine I sends his half-brother Julius Constantius to Licinius at Sirmium (Pannonia), with the proposal to accept Bassianus as Caesar and give him power over Italy. Licinius refuses, and forces a conspiracy against Constantine.source
  • Licinius elevates Valerius Valens to Augustus, and mobilises an army against Constantine. Bassianus is accused of conspiracy and executed.source

Religion & Belief

  • At the request of the Christians, Constantine I attempts to end the schism with the Donatist sect.source
  • Emperor Constantine the Great issues an edict, prohibiting the punishment of slaves by crucifixion and facial branding.source

Births

  • Martin of Tours, bishop of Tours (d. 397)source
  • Constantine II, Roman emperor (d. 340)source

Deaths

  • Tuoba Yilu, Chinese chieftain of the Tuoba clansource
  • Diocletian, Roman emperor, commits suicide (b. 244) (most historians date his death to 311 or 312)source
  • Bassianus, Roman advisor and politiciansource
  • Blaise, bishop of Sebastea (martyred)source
  • Tuoba Pugen, Chinese chieftain of the Tuoba clansource
  • Suo Chen (or Juxiu), Chinese generalsource