Emperor Aurelian, a soldier from the Danube, reunited the Roman world in a few years. In 272 to 273 he defeated Queen Zenobia of Palmyra, who had broken away in the east, and in 274 he overthrew the Gallic Empire in the west at the Battle of Chalons. He also built the great Aurelian Walls around Rome, 19 km long, still largely standing, and introduced the cult of Sol Invictus, the Unconquered Sun. He was murdered in 275 by his officers, but his achievements made it possible for Diocletian to restore the empire.
Before and after
- from 266 CE to 420 CEJin dynasty
- 271 CEOrigins of Gundeshapur
- 271 CEConstruction of Aurelian Walls
- 27 February 272 CEBirth of Constantine the Great
- 274 CEAurelian reunifies the Roman Empire
- 278 CEDiscovery of 278 Paulina
- from 284 CE to 306 CERoman Tetrarchy
- from 284 CE to 565 CEDominate
- from 285 CE to 1453Byzantine Empire
More in Wars, politics & history
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- 203 BCEScipio defeats Hannibal at Zama
- from 149 BCE to 146 BCEThird Punic War
- from 58 BCE to 51 BCEGallic War
- from 66 CE to 74 CEFirst Jewish-Roman War
- from June 68 CE to December 69 CEYear of the Four Emperors
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 3rd century.