Third century - Definition and Overview

(2nd century - 3rd century - 4th century - other centuries)

Events

• The Sassanid dynasty of Persia launches a war to reconquer lost lands in the Roman east. (230 - 232 AD).
• Crisis of the Third Century shakes Roman Empire
• Emperor Valerian I is taken captive by the Persian King of Kings Shapur I. (260 AD).
• End of Yayoi era and beginning of Kofun period, the first part of the Yamato period in Japan.
• Sarnath becomes a center of Buddhist arts in India
• Diffusion of maize as a food crop from Mexico into North America begins
• Four bishoprics are established in Mauretania Tingitania.
• The Kingdom of Funan reaches its zenith under the rule of Fan Shih-man.

Significant persons

• Diocletian, Roman emperor
• Plotinus, c.204 - 270
• Constantine, first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity (c. 312 CE)

Inventions, discoveries, introductions

• A primitive form of glasses were developed for a nearsighted princess in Syria.

Decades and years