307 CE

Emperor Hui of Jin dies after a 16-year reign, in which eight dukes of the imperial family have conducted a civil war (War of the Eight Princes) against each other in a struggle for power. Huai of Jin, age 23, succeeds his father and becomes the third ruler of the Jin Dynasty. Constantine marries Maximian's daughter Fausta, and is promoted to Augustus by Maximian. Galerius sends Valerius Severus with the army of northern Italy, to suppress the rebellion in Rome. However, faced with their former emperor Maximian, the soldiers desert him, and Severus flees to Ravenna. Maximian besieges Severus in Ravenna, who then surrenders. Maxentius makes Severus a hostage, in an attempt to keep Galerius at bay.

In the 300s, the 4th century.

Conflict & Security

  • Winter: Emperor Galerius wins his second victory over the Sarmatians.source
  • Galerius sends Valerius Severus with the army of northern Italy, to suppress the rebellion in Rome. However, faced with their former emperor Maximian, the soldiers desert him, and Severus flees to Ravenna. Maximian besieges Severus in Ravenna, who then surrenders. Maxentius makes Severus a hostage, in an attempt to keep Galerius at bay.source
  • Late summer or autumn: Galerius invades Italy but Maxentius remains behind the walls of Rome. Galerius finds he cannot besiege the city, and the image of an emperor making efforts against Rome hurts Galerius' image among the troops. The fact that Maxentius is his son-in-law does not help, and Maxentius makes an effort to bribe Galerius' troops. Galerius unsuccessfully attempts to negotiate, and recognizing Maxentius' attempts at bribery and the danger of being trapped in Italy by Maximian and Constantine, Galerius chooses to withdraw from Italy. To satiate his troops during the withdrawal, he pillages the Italian countryside. Meanwhile, Maxentius executes Severus.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Summer: Anticipating an offensive by Galerius, Maximian travels to Gaul to make an alliance with Constantine I.source

Crime & Justice

  • November 11 – Following the murder of Severus, Galerius promotes Licinius to Augustus.source

Culture & Society

  • December: Constantine marries Maximian's daughter Fausta, and is promoted to Augustus by Maximian.source
  • Near the end of the year, Galerius gives his wife (Diocletian's daughter) Galeria Valeria the title of Augusta.source

Births

  • Zhang Jun, Chinese prince of the Jin Dynasty (died 346)source

Deaths

  • January 8 – Hui of Jin, Chinese emperor of the Jin Dynasty (born 259)source
  • January 8 – Emperor Hui of Jin dies after a 16-year reign, in which eight dukes of the imperial family have conducted a civil war (War of the Eight Princes) against each other in a struggle for power. Huai of Jin, age 23, succeeds his father and becomes the third ruler of the Jin Dynasty.source
  • September 16 – Severus II, Roman emperor (murdered)source
  • Tuoba Luguan, Chinese chieftain of the Tuoba clansource
  • Septimius of Iesi, German bishop, martyr and saintsource