3rd century in Lebanon


3rd century in Lebanon
Key event:
Chronology:

This article lists historical events that occurred between 201–300 in modern-day Lebanon or regarding its people.

Administration

Severan dynasty

During the early third century, coastal cities of Phoenicia and numerous "Punic" cities of North Africa saw substantial construction by Septimius Severus and his successors, who specifically adorned Lepcis Magna, which was connected to the metropolis of Tyre by coins and inscriptions. Tyre's coins from the Severan period depict Dido overseeing the establishment of Carthage. Thus, by exalting the Aeneid's author and characters, the Severan dynasty purposefully promoted a Phoenician-Roman connection.

Reign of Elagabalus

Tyre was the capital of Phoenice, but the Roman emperor Elagabalus raised his native Emesa to co-capital, leading to a rivalry between the two cities as the head of the province. However, Elagabalus is recognized for bestowing imperial favor on Berytus, along with other cities in the region, and a coin from Berytus during his reign depicts a grand archway adorned with columns and sculptures.

Military

Since the time of Septimius Severus, it had been the practice to assign not more than two legions to each frontier province, and, although in some provinces one legion was sometimes deemed sufficient, the upper limit was not exceeded. This policy appears to have been continued during the third century AD, as seen in the case of Aurelian raising the garrisons of Phoenice to the normal strength of two legions. Furthermore, during this century, the Third Legio Gallica was stationed in Tyre or Sidon.

Coinage

During the reign of the Emperor Philip I the Arab, bronze coins were struck at Heliopolis in honour of the legions Fifth Macedonia and Eighth Augusta.

Events

210s

220s

230s

250s

270s

  • The Palmyrene Empire is established in 270 AD with the start of Zenobia's expedition against the Tanukhids in the spring of the same year, leading to the occupation of Roman Phoenice by the Syrian Palmyrenes.
  • Pagan temples are attested in a Greek inscription mentioning the date 272 AD found in the Mar Mama church in Ehden.
  • The Palmyrene Empire is reconquered by the Romans, 273 AD.
  • A Roman mint is established in Tripolis, 273/274 AD.

280s

290s

  • Aquilina, a native of Byblos and a Christian child, dies in 293 AD, shortly before the executioner could carry out the decapitation sentenced on her for her religion.
  • Ananias "of Phoenicia" the Presbyter, Peter the prison guard, and seven soldiers, get martyred in the form of drowning after lengthy torture for their Christianity, 295 AD, Phoenicia.
  • Gelasinus is martyred in Baalbek, 297 AD.

Ecclesiastical administration

The ecclesiastical administration of Pheonice paralleled the political, but with some differences. The bishop of Tyre emerged as the pre-eminent prelate of Phoenice by the mid-3rd century.

Culture

In 238 or 239 AD, Beirut was first mentioned in writing as a major center for the study of law in the panegyric of Gregory Thaumaturgus, the bishop of Neo-Caesarea The 3rd-century emperors Diocletian and Maximian issued constitutions exempting the students of the law school of Beirut from compulsory service in their hometowns.

People

200s

230s

250s

  • Origen, an early Christian scholar, ascetic and theologian, dies in Tyre, .