The Crisis of the Third Century begins
The murder of Severus Alexander opens half a century of chaos
In 235 soldiers murdered Emperor Severus Alexander near Mogontiacum and proclaimed Maximinus Thrax. Over the next fifty years more than twenty recognised emperors came and went, Germans, Persians, plague and a debased coinage battered the empire, and Gaul and the East broke away for a time; Aurelian and Diocletian restored its unity.
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Meanwhile around the world (±25 years)
Middle East
- 224 Rise of the Sasanian Empire — 11 years earlier
- c. 240 Mani begins to preach — 5 years later
- 260 Battle of Edessa: a Roman emperor taken captive — 25 years later
Africa
- 249–262 Plague of Cyprian — 14 years later
Asia
- 220 Fall of the Han and the Three Kingdoms — 15 years earlier
Americas
- c. 250 Rise of the Classic Maya cities — 15 years later
Oceania
- c. 232 Hatepe eruption of Taupō — 3 years earlier