Editing 250

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2011}}

{{About year|250}}
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[[File:World map 250 CE.png|thumb|The world in 250]]
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Year '''250''' ('''[[Roman numerals|CCL]]''') was a [[common year starting on Tuesday]] of the [[Julian calendar]]. At the time, it was known as the '''Year of the Consulship of Traianus and Gratus''' (or, less frequently, '''year 1003 ''[[Ab urbe condita]]'''''). The denomination 250 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the [[Anno Domini]] [[calendar era]] became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

== Events ==
<onlyinclude>

=== By place ===

==== Roman Empire ====
* A group of [[Franks]] penetrate as far as [[Tarragona]] in [[Hispania|Spain]] (approximate date).
* The [[Goths]] under King [[Cniva]] invade [[Moesia]]. They cross the [[Danube]] and lay siege to [[Novae (fortress)|Novae]] and [[Marcianopolis]].
* [[Battle of Augusta Traiana]]: The Romans lose the battle against the Goths.
* Cniva lays siege to [[Battle of Philippopolis (250)|Philippopolis]] (modern [[Plovdiv]]). After a long resistance, Cniva conquers the city and slays its one hundred thousand inhabitants.
* The [[Alamanni]] drive the Romans from the modern area of [[Donau-Ries]].  
* An epidemic begins in [[Ethiopia]], moves into [[Egypt]] and the [[Roman colonies in Berber Africa|Roman colonies in North Africa]], and spreads through the [[Roman Empire]] (named the [[Plague of Cyprian]], after [[Cyprian|St. Cyprian]], bishop of [[Carthage]]).

==== Africa ====
* The Kingdom of [[Aksum]] ([[Axum]]) takes control of commerce on the [[Red Sea]].

==== Asia ====
* The earliest Chinese references to a device known as "emperor's south-pointing [[carriage]]" date to this period.

==== Mesomerica ====
* [[Teotihuacán]] is rebuilt as a four-quartered cosmogram by [[Zapotec civilization|Zapotec]] architects brought from [[Monte Albán]] in [[Oaxaca]].
* Classic period of [[Mesoamerican]] civilization begins.

=== By topic ===

==== Art and science ====
* [[Diophantus]] writes ''[[Arithmetica]]'', the first systematic treatise on algebra.
* Approximate date
** The family portrait medallion, traditionally called the ''Family of Vunnerius Keramus'', is made (it is later placed in the Brescia Cross, and then in the Museo Civico dell'Etá Cristiana, [[Brescia]]).
** The [[Ludovisi Battle sarcophagus]], depicting battle between the Romans and the Barbarians, is made for use in [[Rome]] (it is later moved to the collection of the [[National Roman Museum]]).
** The [[Igel Column]] is erected at [[Trier]] in Germany.

==== Religion ====
* [[January 3]] &ndash; [[Decian persecution]] of [[Christians]] is initiated when Emperor [[Decius]] orders everyone in the [[Roman Empire]] (except Jews) to perform a sacrifice to the gods of [[religion in ancient Rome]]. On [[January 20]], Pope [[Pope Fabian|Fabian]] becomes one of the first martyrs of this [[persecution]].
* Possible date &ndash; [[Saint Denis of Paris|Denis]], a bishop of [[Paris]], is martyred by beheading.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Denis/|title=Saint Denis bishop of Paris|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]}}</ref></onlyinclude>

== Births ==
* [[March 31]] &ndash; [[Constantius Chlorus]], Roman emperor (d. [[306]])
* [[Galerius|Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus]], Roman emperor (d. [[AD 311|311]])
* [[Lu Jing]] (or '''Shiren'''), Chinese general and writer (d. [[280]])
* [[Maximian]] ('''Herculius'''), Roman consul and emperor (d. [[310]])
* [[Zuo Si]] (or '''Taichong'''), Chinese poet and writer (d. [[305]])

== Deaths ==
* [[January 20]] &ndash; [[Pope Fabian|Fabian]] (or Fabianus), pope of [[Ancient Rome|Rome]] and martyr
* [[Du Qiong (Three Kingdoms)|Du Qiong]] (or Boyu), Chinese official and astronomer
* [[Faustus, Abibus and Dionysius of Alexandria|Faustus, Abibus and Dionysius]], Christian martyrs
* [[Marcus Minucius Felix]], Roman apologist and writer
* [[Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Denise|Peter, Andrew, Paul and Denise]], Christian martyrs
* [[Secundian, Marcellian and Verian]], Christian martyrs
* [[Tryphon, Respicius, and Nympha]], Christian martyrs
* [[Zhu Ju]], Chinese general and chancellor (b. [[194]])

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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