283 CE

Pope Caius succeeds Eutychian as the 28th pope of Rome. Exploiting the Persian civil war, Carus leaves Carinus in charge of much of the Roman Empire and, accompanied by his younger son Numerian, invades the Sassanid Empire. They sack Seleucia and Ctesiphon, the capital of the Persian kingdom, and they press on beyond the Tigris. For his victories, Carus receives the title of Persicus Maximus. Carinus and Numerian succeed their father Carus. Numerian, who had accompanied his father into the Persian Empire, leads the army back to Roman territory.

In the 280s, the 3rd century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • The corrector Aurelius Julianus usurps power in Pannonia but is defeated by Carinus.source
  • Carinus campaigns with success in Britain and on the Rhine frontier.source
  • Spring: Emperor Carus makes his son Carinus the Augustus in the west.source

Conflict & Security

  • The officer Diocles, the future Emperor Diocletian, distinguishes himself in the war against the Persians.source
  • Exploiting the Persian civil war, Carus leaves Carinus in charge of much of the Roman Empire and, accompanied by his younger son Numerian, invades the Sassanid Empire. They sack Seleucia and Ctesiphon, the capital of the Persian kingdom, and they press on beyond the Tigris. For his victories, Carus receives the title of Persicus Maximus.source
  • Carinus and Numerian succeed their father Carus. Numerian, who had accompanied his father into the Persian Empire, leads the army back to Roman territory.source
  • The King of Kings Bahram II fights a civil war against his brother Hormizd, the king of Sakastan.source

Religion & Belief

Births

  • Eusebius of Vercelli, Christian bishop and saint (died 371)source
  • Ge Hong, Chinese scholar and philosopher (died 343)source

Deaths

  • December 7 – Etychian, bishop of Romesource
  • Marcus Aurelius Carus, Roman emperor (born 224)source
  • Sima Zhou (or Zijiang), Chinese prince (born 227)source
  • Summer: Carus dies in mysterious circumstances during the war against the Persians. Various sources claim he died of illness, was struck by lightning or was killed in combat.source
  • Sima You (or Dayou), Chinese prince (born 248)source
  • Shan Tao, Chinese scholar and politician (born 205)source