Timeline of Ancient Rome - 4th Century

4th Century

• 301– Diocletian issues the Edict on Maximum Prices.
• 303– Diocletian orders the persecution of Christians.
• 305– Diocletian and Maximian abdicate. Constantius and Galerius becomes Augusti. Maximinus is appointed Caesar in the east and Severus in the west.
• 306– Constantius dies at York. His son Constantine I proclaimed emperor. Maxentius, son of Maximian, proclaims himself emperor in Rome.
• 307– Maxentius reinvests his father Maximian as emperor. Severus is put to death. Galerius lays siege to Rome.
• 308– Conference of Carnuntum. Diocletian convinces Maximian to step down. Licinius appointed Caesar in the East.
• 310– Maximian again proclaims himself emperor, but is captured by Constantine. He commits suicide.
• 311– Galerius dies at Sardica. Maximinus and Licinius split his realm between them.
• 312– Constantine defeats and kills Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge. Licinius marries Constantine's sister Constantia. Constantine converts to Christianity.
• 313– Licinus defeats Maximinus twice. Maximinus dies at Tarsus.
• Constantine issues Edict of Milan, ending persecution of Christians and establishing religious toleration throughout the Empire.
• 314– Constantine defeats Licinius at Cibalae
• 317– Constantine defeats Licinius on the Campus Ardiensis. Licinius forced to cede all his European provinces except Thrace.
• 318– Excommunication of Arius.
• 324– Constantine defeats Licinius at the Hebrus River and at Chrysopolis. Licinius abdicates.
• 325– The Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
• 326– Constantine orders the death of his oldest son, Crispus.
• 330– Constantine makes Constantinople the capital.
• 332– Constantine campaigns against the Goths.
• 334– Constantine campaigns against the Sarmatians.
• 337– Constantine dies at Nicomedia. His three sons, Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans become emperors.
  • On the years 337–361, see also: Itineraries of the Roman emperors, 337–361
• 338– Constantine II defeats the Alemanni. War with Persia.
• 340– Constantine II invades Italy. He is ambushed and slain by Constans at Aquileia.
• 341– Constans and Constantius II issue a ban against pagan sacrifice.
• 347– The Donatists revolt in Africa.
• 348– Constantius defeats the Persians at the Siege of Singara.
• 350– Magnentius usurps the throne in the west. Constans is captured and killed. Nepotianus attacks Rome with a band of gladiators
• 351– Constantius appoints his cousin Constantius Gallus as Caesar. Magnentius is defeated at Mursa.
• 353– Constantius defeats Magnentius at Mons Seleuci. Magnentius commits suicide.
• 354– Constantius Gallus is put to death.
• 355– Julian is appointed Caesar in Gaul.
• 357– Julian defeats the Franks at Strasbourg.
• 360– With a Persian war imminent, Constantius orders Julian to send several legions east. The troops mutiny and proclaim Julian Augustus.
• 361– Constantius dies of illness, naming Julian his successor. Julian openly declares himself a pagan, but his attempt at rejuvenating paganism in the empire fails.
• 363– Julian invades Persia, but forced to retreat, he is mortally wounded during a skirmish and dies. Jovian is proclaimed emperor.
• 364– Jovien dies of accidental asphyxiation. Valentinian I becomes emperor and splits the empire with his brother Valens.
• 375– Valentinian dies and is succeeded by Gratian as Western emperor.
• 378– Valens is defeated and killed by the Goths at the Battle of Adrianople. Theodosius I succeeds him as Eastern emperor.
• 380- Edict of Thessalonica issued by Theodosius I makes Christianity the State church of the Roman Empire
• 384– Gratian is murdered, Valentinian II becomes emperor.
• 392– Valentinian II dies of apparent suicide, though murder by Arbogast is more likely. Arbogast installs the puppet Eugenius on the Western throne, but Theodosius refuses to recognize the usurper.
• 394– Eugenius and Arbogast are deposed and killed by Theodosius, who briefly reunites the empire for the last time.
• 395– Theodosius I dies, leaving the Western empire to his son Honorius and the Eastern empire to his son Arcadius.