285

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Year 285 (CCLXXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Carinus and Aurelius (or, less frequently, year 1038 Ab urbe condita). The denomination 285 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

Events

By place

Roman Empire

• Early – Emperor Carinus marches from Britain to northern Italy, and defeats the army of the usurper Sabinus Julianus at Verona.
• Summer – Battle of the Margus: Emperor Diocletian defeats the forces of Carinus in the valley of the Margus (Serbia).
• July 21 or July 25 – Diocletian appoints his fellow-officer Maximian to the office of Caesar, or junior co-emperor.
• Late summer – Diocletian defends the Danube against Sarmatian raids. He transfers his capital to Nicomedia (modern-day İzmit in Turkey).
• Carausius, naval commander at Bononia (modern-day Boulogne), is given the task to clear the English Channel of Frankish and Saxon pirates.
• Maximian is sent to pacify Gaul where the Bagaudae, a band of peasants, are revolting against the Roman Empire.

Births

Deaths

• Du Yu, Chinese general of the Jin Dynasty (b. 222)
• Carinus, Roman emperor
• Sabinus Julianus, Roman usurper

Roman Reigns

References