Browse Historical Events by Month: What Happened in February?

Battle of Actium, where Octavian defeats Mark Antony and Cleopatra, establishing himself as the undisputed ruler of Rome.

Dedication of the Ara Pacis Augustae, the Altar of Augustan Peace in Rome, commissioned by Emperor Augustus.

Dedication of the Temple of Concordia in Rome by Emperor Augustus.

Earthquake in Pompeii, Italy, causing significant damage.

Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp in Smyrna, an important figure in early Christian history.

313 CE, February 27 - Edict of Milan, issued by Constantine the Great and Licinius, granting religious tolerance in the Roman Empire.

Edict of Thessalonica, Emperor Theodosius I declares Nicene Christianity as the official state religion of the Roman Empire.

Roman Emperor Theodosius I dies, leading to the division of the Roman Empire between his sons Arcadius and Honorius.

Emperor Theodosius II is born, becoming one of the longest-reigning emperors of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Deposition of the last Roman Emperor Romulus Augustulus by Odoacer, marking the end of the Western Roman Empire.

541 CE, February - The first recording of the Justinian Plague, an outbreak of bubonic plague during the reign of Emperor Justinian I.

Battle of Nineveh, Byzantine Emperor Heraclius defeats the Sassanid Persian Empire, marking a turning point in the Byzantine-Sassanid wars.

Byzantine Emperor Heraclius issues the Ecthesis, an attempt to reconcile monophysite Christians with the Chalcedonian Church.

Battle of Bagdoura, Berber forces under Uqba ibn Al-Hajjaj defeat the Berghouata tribe in North Africa.

Eighth Ecumenical Council, the Fourth Council of Constantinople, concludes with decisions against Photius and reaffirming Nicene Christianity.

Fourth Council of Constantinople concludes, condemning Photius and reconciling the East-West Schism temporarily.

Otto I is crowned Holy Roman Emperor, initiating the Ottonian dynasty in Germany.

Pope John XII crowns Otto I as Holy Roman Emperor.

Benedict V becomes Pope.

Pope John XII crowns Otto I's son Otto II as co-emperor.