272 CE

Aurelian supports the bishops of Italy in deposing the bishop of Antioch, Paul of Samosata, who had been a supporter of Zenobia. This is the first recorded instance of an imperial intervention in an ecclesiastical dispute. Battle of Immae: Aurelian defeats the Palmyrene heavy cavalry (clibanarii) near Antioch. Queen Zenobia flees under cover of darkness to Emesa (Syria). Saint Denis, first Bishop of Paris, and two of his disciples are beheaded on the road to the Temple of Mercury that stands atop a hill outside of the city. The hill will later be called Montmartre (Mountain of Martyrs) in Lutetia (modern Paris).

In the 270s, the 3rd century.

Conflict & Security

  • Emperor Aurelian launches a two-pronged invasion of the Palmyrene Empire, sending his commander Marcus Aurelius Probus to restore Roman rule in Egypt while he marches into Asia Minor.source
  • As part of a strategy of clemency, Aurelian spares Tyana after capturing the city. This strategy encourages units under Zenobia to defect to Aurelian.source
  • Battle of Immae: Aurelian defeats the Palmyrene heavy cavalry (clibanarii) near Antioch. Queen Zenobia flees under cover of darkness to Emesa (Syria).source
  • Aurelian besieges Palmyra. Zenobia attempts to escape to Persia but is captured on the Euphrates. Palmyra surrenders soon after.source
  • Battle of Emesa: Aurelian decisively defeats the Palmyrene army.source

Religion & Belief

  • Dometius succeeds Titus as Patriarch of Constantinople.source
  • Paul of Samosata is deposed as Patriarch of Antioch.source
  • Aurelian supports the bishops of Italy in deposing the bishop of Antioch, Paul of Samosata, who had been a supporter of Zenobia. This is the first recorded instance of an imperial intervention in an ecclesiastical dispute.source

Births

  • February 27 – Constantine the Great, Roman emperor (died 337)source
  • Wei Shuo (or Mouyi), Chinese calligrapher (died 349)source

Deaths

  • Sabbas Stratelates, Roman general and martyrsource
  • Wan Yu, Chinese chancellor and politiciansource
  • Following a series of trials held in Emesa, Cassius Longinus and other advisors of Zenobia are executed for conspiring against Aurelian.source
  • Sima Fu, Chinese prince and statesman (born 180)source
  • Shapur I (the Great), king of the Sassanid Empiresource
  • Saint Denis, first Bishop of Paris, and two of his disciples are beheaded on the road to the Temple of Mercury that stands atop a hill outside of the city. The hill will later be called Montmartre (Mountain of Martyrs) in Lutetia (modern Paris).source