278 BC c.

The year 278 B.C. C. was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. In the Roman Empire it was known as the year 476 ab urbe condita.

Events

• Consulates of Quinto Emilio Papo, cos. IIand Cayo Fabricio Luscino, cos. IIIn ancient Rome.
• Pirro de Epiro moves to Sicily to help the Greeks in their struggle against the Carthaginians.
• Nicomedes I becomes the first king of Bitinia.
• The Gauls, in command of Breno, invade the Asia Minor, and the victory of Antiochus I Soter over these hordes is said to be the origin of their title of Soter (Greek for "saving").

Deaths

• Qu Yuan, a former Chinese poet (c. 340-278 BC).