Persecution of Christians. 238. Accession and death of the two Gordians. Maximus and Balbinus proclaimed Emperors with Gordian III as Caesar, but are murdered by Praetorians. Accession of Gordian III. Manes begins to teach. 241. Accession of Sapor (Shapûr) I of Persia on death of his father Ardeshîr. 242. War between Rome and Persia. 244. Accession of Philip the Arabian. 246. M. Julius Philippus proclaimed Augustus jointly with his father, Philip the Arabian. 249. Accession of Decius. Persecution of Christians. 251. Accession of Gallus. 253. Accession of Valerian. Gallienus proclaimed Augustus jointly with his father Valerian. 254. First appearance of Franks, who attack Rhine and invade Spain and Africa. 260. War between Rome and Persia. Valerian taken prisoner by Sapor, and dies in captivity. 260-268. Reign of Gallienus and the Thirty Tyrants. Right of Church to hold property recognized. 268. Accession of Claudius. 270. Accession of Aurelian. St Anthony introduces monachism into Church. 272. Accession of Hormisdas (Ormuz) I of Persia. 273. Aurelian captures Palmyra, and puts an end to Zenobia’s Kingdom. Aurelian decides case of Paul of Samosata, and affirms primacy of Roman Church. 273. Accession of Varanes (Bahram) I of Persia. 275. Manes put to death by Varanes I. Accession of Tacitus. 276. Accession of Varanes II of Persia. Accession of Probus. 282. Accession of Carus. 283. Carinus proclaimed Augustus jointly with his father Carus. 284. Numerian proclaimed Augustus jointly with his brother Carinus on death of Carus. Accession of Diocletian. 286. Maximian proclaimed Augustus jointly with Diocletian. 287. Edict of Diocletian against Manichaeans. Teachers to be burned: Hearers’ goods to be confiscated. 292. Constantius Chlorus and Galerius proclaimed Caesars under the two Augusti. 293. Accession of Varanes III of Persia followed by that of Narses. 296. War between Rome and Persia. _Circa_ 300. Alexander of Lycopolis flourished. 302. Accession of Hormisdas II of Persia. 303. Persecution of Christians. Era of Martyrs. 304. Mithras declared at Carnuntum Protector of Roman Empire. 305. Abdication of Diocletian and Maximian. Constantius Chlorus and Galerius become Augusti. Maximin and Severus proclaimed Caesars. 306. Death of Constantius Chlorus. Constantine proclaimed Augustus by army, but allowed title of Caesar only by Galerius. Severus proclaimed Augustus in place of Constantius Chlorus. Maximian and Maxentius, his son, rebel. 307. Severus, besieged in Ravenna by Maximian, surrenders and commits suicide. Maximian gives his daughter Fausta to Constantine, and proclaims him Augustus jointly with himself. War of Augusti, Maximian, Maxentius, and Constantine, against Galerius, who proclaims Licinius and Maximin Augusti jointly with himself.