3rd century
The century III d. C. (3rd century AD) or III century and. c. (third century of the Common Era) began on January 1, 201 and ended on December 31, 300.
In Europe and the Mediterranean, the 3rd century was a period of great political upheaval within the Roman Empire. A total of 28 emperors succeeded each other in power throughout the century, most of the time through conspiracies and assassinations. Secessionist adventures began in large regions of the Empire, as in the case of the Gallic Empire or Palmyra. This period is known as the Crisis of the 3rd century, and it was not until 274 when Aurelian put an end to separatism and restored the unity of the Empire. Finally, Diocletian tried to decentralize the Empire with the establishment of the Tetrarchy. While all these events were taking place within the Empire, the Gothic peoples penetrated as far as the Balkans, ravaging Greece and finally establishing a kingdom in the northeast.
In the Roman Empire there was a demographic crisis that forced the state and landowners to ensure the permanence of peasants in the fields. The small owner, harassed by taxes and debts, was forced on many occasions to cede his property in exchange for the protection of the large landowners, remaining under their government. Thus lay the foundations of the future feudal society in Europe.
In Asia, China also suffered a period of great turmoil. The beginning of the century brought the end of the Han dynasty and the division of China into the so-called Three Kingdoms, which began a period of wars that lasted throughout the century, not ending until the year 280 with reunification under the Jin dynasty.
In America, the Preclassic period of Mesoamerica ended, which gave rise to the flourishing of Teotihuacán as the most important center of power and commercial node in the region. For the Andean area, the societies of the Early Intermediate period (Moche, Lima, Nazca, Huarpa, Tiahuanaco, etc.) are in full swing.
Relevant events
Wars and Politics
- 212 - The Edict of Antonino or Constitutio Antoniana, promulgated by Emperor Caracalla extends Roman citizenship to all free men of the Empire.
- 220: Fall of the Han Dynasty of the Chinese Empire. Start of the Journal of the Three Kingdoms in China
- 224: Foundation of the Sassanian Empire of Iran.
- 230: The Roman-Sasanid Wars begin, which will continue until the centuryVII.
- 235 - 284: Crisis of the third century in the Roman Empire.
- probable date of the rise of the Japanese Empire.
- 253 - The Franks invade the Galia.
- 260: The Emperor Valerian is captured, tortured and killed by the Persians of Sapor I.
- 266: Foundation of the Jin Dynasty of China. 14 years later, in the 280, it reunites all of China.
- Goths move from the Vistula River (in present Poland) to the Black Sea coast creating a kingdom on the lands of the present Ukraine.
- The Zapotec culture is established on Monte Albán.
Culture
- At the beginning of the century, Emperor Septimius Severo ordered the closure of the tomb of Alexander the Great. [1]
- 212-216: The Caracalla thermal baths are built in Rome by order of the Caracalla Emperor.
- Palaeo-Christian Art: Christian Catacombs.
- Plotino (m. 269).
Science and technology
- The Chinese mathematician Liu Hui calculates an approximation to the π number, giving it a value of 3.14500
Relevant people
Politics
- Alexander Severo (208-235): Roman emperor, last emperor of the Severos dynasty
- Ardacher I (- 240): King of Persia and founder of the Sassanian Empire
- Artabano IV (163-224): Last King of Partia
- Aureliano (214/215-275): Roman emperor, once again unified the empire under his command
- Cao Cao (155-220): Chinese politician of the Han Dynasty
- Caracalla (188-217): Roman emperor, created the Constitutio Antoniana
- Claudio II (213-270): Roman emperor, known as Claudio II "The Gothic"
- Cniva (197-257): King of the Goths who defeated Emperor Decio and his son Herenio Etrusco in the Battle of Abrito in 251
- Decio (ca. 201-251): Roman emperor, famous for his campaigns against Christians and for being the first emperor to die in battle.
- Diocletian (244-311): Roman emperor, creator of the tetrarchy.
- Filipo the Arab (ca. 204-249): Roman emperor
- Galiene (ca. 218-268): Roman emperor
- Gordian III (225-244): Roman emperor
- Heliogram it (ca. 203-222): Roman emperor
- Julia Domna (170-217): Roman empress, wife of Septimio Severoy matriarch of the Severos dynasty
- Liu Bei (161-223): Emperor Shu during the period of the Three Kingdoms
- Maximian (285/286-305): Roman emperor, colleague of Diocletian in the government of the empire.
- Maximine the Trace (173-238): first emperor who is not of Roman origin
- Posthumous (f. 269): first emperor of the Gallic Empire
- Probe (232-282): Roman emperor
- Sapor I (215-272): King of Persia
- Septimius Severo (146-211): Roman emperor, founder of the Severos dynasty
- Tétrico I (n. centuryII-f. centuryIII): last emperor of the Gallic Empire
- Valeriano (ca. 200-ca. 260): Roman emperor, first emperor to be captured in battle
- Zenobia (245-274): first and only Queen of the Empire of Palmira
Literature and philosophy
- Cayo Julio Solino: grammar and compiler of Roman stories
- Dion Casio (155-235): Roman historian and politician
- Rome Hippolyte (170-236): writer and anti-papapa
- Nāgārjuna (150-250): Indian philosopher
- Plotinus (205-270): the creator philosopher of neoplatonism
- Tertullian (ca. 160-ca. 220): writer and considered one of the Fathers of the Church
Science
- Diophant of Alexandria: Greek mathematician, considered the father of the Algebra
- Liu Hui: Chinese mathematician.
Religion
- Arius (256-336): Christian preacher, whose premises were the basis of arianism
- Cecilia de Rome (f. 230): Holy Roman
- Cipriano de Cartago (ca. 200-258): Bishop of Cartago, saint and martyr
- Mani (215-276): an Iranian religious, founder of the philosophical current known as Maniqueism
- Origins (185-254): Christian preacher