268

Events

By place

Roman Empire

• September - Battle of Naissus: Emperor Gallienus, aided by Aurelian, defeats a Gothic coalition near Naissus.
• Gallienus is killed by his own senior officers at Mediolanum while besieging his rival Aureolus, one of the Thirty Tyrants. Aureolus is murdered in turn by the Praetorian guard.
• Marcus Aurelius Claudius is charged, by the Senate, with having murdered Gallienus. He becomes the new emperor of Rome and will reign as Claudius II.
• Claudius II asks the Senate to spare the lives of Gallienus's family and political supporters. Emperor Gallienus is deified and buried in a family tomb on the Appian Way.
• The Alamanni invade Italy north of the Po River.
• The Visigoths first appear as a distinct people.
• November - Battle of Lake Benacus: A Roman army under emperor Claudius II defeats the Germanic tribes of the Alamanni along the banks of Lake Garda.

  Europe

• Victorinus is declared emperor of the Gallic Empire by the legions at Augusta Treverorum, following the murders of his predecessors. He is recognized by the provinces of Gaul and Britain, but Hispania might have reunited with the Roman Empire.

  By Topic

Religion

• December 26 - Pope Dionysius dies at Rome after a 9-year reign and is succeeded by Pope Felix I.

  Births

Deaths

• December 26 - Pope Dionysius
• Aureolus, Roman usurper
• Gallienus, Roman emperor
• Laelianus, Roman usurper
• Marcus Aurelius Marius, Roman emperor
• Postumus, Roman emperor of the Gallic Empire