250s

Roman Empire

• A group of Franks penetrate as far as Tarragona in Spain (approximate date).
• The Goths under king Cniva invade Moesia. They cross the Danube and lay siege to Novae and Marcianopolis.
• Battle of Augusta Traiana. The Romans lose the battle against the Goths
• Cniva lays siege to 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 North Africa, and spreads through the Roman Empire. Named the Plague of Cyprian after St. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage.

Africa

• The Kingdom of Aksum (Axum) takes control of commerce on the Red Sea.

Asia

• The Kofun Period begins in Japan.
• The Kushan Empire collapses.
• The earliest Chinese references to a device known as "emperor's south-pointing carriage" date to this period.

America

• Teotihuacán is rebuilt as a four-quartered cosmogram by Zapotec architects brought from Monte Albán in Oaxaca.
• Classic period of Mesoamerican civilization begins.

Arts and sciences

• Diophantus writes Arithmetica, the first systematic treatise on algebra.
• Family Group, traditionally called the Family of Vunnerius Keramus, is made. It was later placed in Brescia Cross. It is now kept at Museo Civico dell'Etá Cristiana, Brescia (approximate date).
• Battle between the Romans and the Barbarians, detail of the Ludovisi Battle sarcophagus, found near Rome, is made. It is now kept at Museo Nazionale Romano (approximate date).
• Igel Column is erected (approximate date).
• After 250 - Temple of the Feathered Serpent, Teotihuacan, the Ciudadela, Teotihuacan, Mexico, is built. Teotihuacan culture.

Religion

• Emperor Decius institutes the persecution of Christians in an attempt to restore the religion of Rome. Pope Fabian is one of the first martyrs.

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