257 CE

Pope Sixtus II succeeds Pope Stephen I as the 24th pope. Valerian, under guardianship of Ingenuus, is established at Sirmium (Pannonia) to represent the Roman government in the troubled Illyrian provinces. In Bavaria the Limes Germanicus (Upper Raetian Limes) along the river Iller is abandoned by the Romans.

In the 250s, the 3rd century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Emperor Gallienus brings some order to the Danube area.source
  • Valerian, under guardianship of Ingenuus, is established at Sirmium (Pannonia) to represent the Roman government in the troubled Illyrian provinces.source

Conflict & Security

  • Emperor Valerian recovers Antioch, Syria from King Shapur I of Persia.source
  • Future emperor Aurelian defeats the Goths and brings many prisoners back to Rome.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • The Goths build a fleet on the Black Sea.source

Religion & Belief

  • August 30 – Pope Sixtus II succeeds Pope Stephen I as the 24th pope.source
  • Valerian's persecution of Christians begins: his edict orders bishops and priests to sacrifice according to the pagan rituals, and prohibits Christians, under penalty of death, from meeting at the tombs of their deceased.source
  • The Goths separate into the Ostrogoths and the Visigoths.source

Climate & Environment

  • In Bavaria the Limes Germanicus (Upper Raetian Limes) along the river Iller is abandoned by the Romans.source

Births

  • Gregory the Illuminator, Armenian religious leader (approximate date)source
  • Jia Nanfeng (or Shi), Chinese empress (died 300)source

Deaths