260 facts for kids
| Millennium: | 1st millennium |
|---|---|
| Centuries: | 2nd century – 3rd century – 4th century |
| Decades: | 230s 240s 250s – 260s – 270s 280s 290s |
| Years: | 257 258 259 – 260 – 261 262 263 |
The year 260 was a leap year. It started on a Sunday in the Julian calendar. This year was a time of big changes for the Roman Empire. Many important events happened, especially battles and new leaders rising to power.
Major Events in 260
Roman Empire Faces Challenges
Emperor Valerian's Capture
In 260, a major battle happened at Edessa. The Roman Emperor Valerian fought against the Persians. Sadly, the Roman army lost this battle.
Emperor Valerian tried to make peace with the Persian king, Shapur I. But during their meeting, Valerian was captured. He was held prisoner by the Persians for the rest of his life. This was a huge blow to the Roman Empire.
After his capture, Valerian was sent to Bishapur in Persia. The Roman soldiers who were also captured were forced to build a large bridge. This bridge is known as the Band-e Kaisar, or the Bridge of Valerian.
New Emperors and New Empires
After Valerian's capture, his son Gallienus became the new emperor of Rome. Gallienus decided to move the Roman capital to Mediolanum, which is now the city of Milan in Italy.
Gallienus also had to deal with invaders. He pulled back Roman soldiers from forts in the Black Forest area. This was because a group called the Alamanni were attacking.
At the same time, a Roman general named Postumus started his own empire. He was a "usurper," meaning he took power without being the rightful ruler. This new empire was called the Gallic Empire. It included many Roman areas in the west.
The Gallic Empire Forms
Postumus became very powerful. He took control of all the Roman areas west of the Alps mountains. This included Gaul (modern France), Britain, and Hispania (modern Spain and Portugal).
Emperor Gallienus's son, Saloninus, was also declared an "Augustus" (a high title for an emperor) by his own troops. But Postumus quickly defeated Saloninus. Saloninus died, and Postumus became the emperor of the new Gallic Empire.
Invasions and Forts
The Alamanni continued their attacks. They captured the Roman fort at Wiesbaden in Germany. Another group, the Franks, took control of the Scheldt estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea.
Events in Asia
Persian Power Grows
The Persian king, Shapur I, was very strong in 260. After defeating the Romans, he also destroyed the city of Caesarea Mazaca in Asia Minor (modern Turkey).
Changes in China
In China, there was a change in leadership. Cao Huan became the new ruler of the Chinese Kingdom of Wei. He took over from Cao Mao.
The Palmyrene Empire
Some parts of the Roman Empire in the east also broke away. Syria, Egypt, and Palestine formed a new empire called the Palmyrene Empire. This new empire was supported by the powerful Persians.
Other Important Events
Arts and Thinking
The year 260 is one of the earliest times we know of people playing chess. This fun strategy game has been around for a very long time!
Religious Matters
In the Christian world, Pope Dionysius asked a bishop named Dionysius of Alexandria to explain his ideas about the Trinity. The Trinity is a core belief in Christianity about God being three persons in one.
Also, Paul of Samosata became the Patriarch of Antioch. This was an important religious leadership role.
People Born in 260
- Jin Huidi: He would later become an emperor of the Jin Dynasty in China.
- Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus: He would become a Roman Emperor later in his life.
People Who Died in 260
- Cao Mao: He was the ruler of the Chinese Kingdom of Wei.
- Chen Tai: He was an important minister in the Kingdom of Wei.
- Saloninus: He was a Roman emperor and the son of Gallienus.
- Sun Liang: He was an emperor of the Chinese Kingdom of Wu.
- Valerianus I: He was the Roman emperor who was captured by the Persians.
