Traditional accession of Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first Emperor of Japan.
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What Happened in February?
Emperor ascensions, legendary battles, and assassinations. Discover what happened this month in history. Explore pivotal events from February that helped shape the world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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c. 399 BCE, February 15
The Greek philosopher Socrates is sentenced to death by drinking hemlock, following his trial in Athens. While there are some conflicting accounts of the exact date, February 15, 399 BCE is a commonly cited date for this event.
Philip II of Macedon defeats Greek city-states, asserting Macedonian dominance.
Birth of the Indian Emperor Ashoka, one of the most influential rulers in history.
The Roman general Fabius Maximus begins his strategy of attrition against Hannibal during the Second Punic War.
Scipio Africanus wins the Battle of Metaurus against Carthaginians in Italy.
Liu Bang becomes Emperor Gaozu of Han, founding the Han Dynasty in China.
The Battle of Magnesia, where the Roman Republic and Pergamon defeated the Seleucid Empire.
The third and final Punic War, between Rome and Carthage, comes to an end on February 5, 176 BCE with a total Roman victory. The Punic Wars were a series of three wars between 264 and 146 BCE, fought between Rome and Carthage over more 100 years.
The fighting on land and sea across the western Mediterranean region had immense materiel and human losses on both sides. More
The Roman Senate sends an embassy to Macedonia, leading to the beginning of the Third Macedonian War.
Attalus III, King of Pergamon, bequeaths his kingdom to the Roman Republic, marking the beginning of Roman rule in Asia Minor.
Julius Caesar abolishes the Roman Republic and becomes dictator perpetuo (dictator in perpetuity).
Marc Antony attempts to proclaim Caesar king in front of the Roman crowd on February 14, 44 BCE by offering him a crown but the act is rejected by Caesar. The event took place during the Lupercalia festival, the ancient fertility ritual held on the Palatine Hill.
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.
c. 6 BCE, February 2
As described in the Gospel of Luke, infant Jesus, is presented at the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth, in accordance with Jewish law. At the Temple, the prophet Simeon and the prophetess Anna recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah.
The event is commemorated annually on February 2nd. This feast, which also marks Mary's purification, falls within the liturgical season of Epiphany and is known by various names, including the Presentation of Our Lord, Candlemas, or the Purification of the Virgin. Jewish law.
Exodus 13:12-15) mandated that the firstborn male be presented to the Lord as holy and could be redeemed by an offering. Mary and Joseph paid the redemption fee to a priest for the firstborn son, Jesus. Because they were poor, Mary and Joseph offered "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," which was permitted by law for those who could not afford a lamb.
Dedication of the Temple of Concordia in Rome by Emperor Augustus.
The Roman Senate and people honor Caesar Augustus with the title "Pater Patriae" (Father of the Country) at the dedication of the Forum of Augustus on February 5, BCE. The honor defined his legacy as the founder of the Empire and for restructuring Rome to what it was before having been torn by civil wars.
Earthquake in Pompeii, Italy, causing significant damage.
c. 155 CE, February, 23
The martyrdom of Saint Polycarp in Smyrna, a disciple of St. John the Apostle and a defender of orthodoxy, takes place, c. February 23, 155 CE. He was burned and stabbed to death at age 86 for refusing to renounce Christ. His death is one of the earliest accounts of Christian martyrdom.