429 BCE, circa. November
Pericles, influential Athenian statesman and general, dies during the Plague of Athens.
Browse Historical Events by Month:
What Happened in November?
Wars, expanding empires, and critical deaths. Explore significant events and milestones from November that have helped shape the world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material. When possible, we show a link to a source which provides additional or unique perspective about the event.
We do our best to provide accurate information but would appreciate being notified if any incorrect information is found. You may do so by using our Feedback link.
Page 1 of 17
Next
The Battle of Issus occurs between Alexander the Great of Macedonia and Darius III of Persia. Alexander achieves a decisive victory, securing his control over Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) and further weakening the Persian Empire.
The Battle of Magnesia takes place, ending the Seleucid War between the Roman Republic and the Seleucid Empire.
Attalus III of Pergamon bequeaths his kingdom to Rome, leading to the establishment of the Roman province of Asia.
Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of Egypt, is captured by Julius Caesar after the Siege of Alexandria.
The Second Triumvirate in Rome, comprising Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus is established on November 27, 43 BCE, splitting the Roman world into three sets of provinces and giving each one of the rulers practically absolute power.
The Second Triumvirate, consisting of Octavian (later Augustus), Mark Antony, and Lepidus, is formed in Rome.
The forces of the Second Triumvirate, consisting of Octavian (later Augustus), Mark Antony, and Lepidus, defeat the forces of Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi.
Parthian forces under Pacorus I defeat the Roman general Publius Ventidius at the Battle of Amanus, temporarily reversing Roman setbacks in the East.
Diocletian is acclaimed Roman Emperor by his soldiers on November 17, 284 CE, (Some cite November 20), following the assassination of Emperor Numerian. During his reign, he restored efficient government to the empire after the near anarchy of the 3rd century and laid the foundation for the Byzantine Empire in the East, however it was marked by his orders for severe persecution of Christians.
Diocletian also introduced the "Tetrarchy", or "rule of four," in 293 CE; a system to stabilize the empire and handle massive borders more effectively, by dividing administrative power among two senior emperors (Augusti) and two junior emperors (Caesars). Caesars were intended to succeed the Augusti, creating a peaceful transfer of power. It aimed to curb civil wars, manage succession, The Empire was split into East and West, with each half governed by an Augustus and a Caesar. This allowed for faster, localized responses to revolts and threats. The system broke down into civil war after Diocletian's abdication on May 1, 305, leaving the Eastern Empire to Galerius and compelling his Western co-emperor, Maximian, to retire on the same day.
Theodosius the Great, makes his ceremonial entry into Constantinople on November 24, 380 AD (adventus, or first formal entry). Theodosius was the last Roman emperor to rule the entire Roman Empire before its administration was permanently split between the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. More
The Council of Chalcedon concludes. It was the fourth ecumenical council of the Christian Church, at it had convened on October 8, 451 in the city of Chalcedon, Bithynia (modern-day Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey).
The council, convoked by the Roman emperor Marcian was attended by over 520 bishops or their representatives. The Council declared Jesus Christ to have two natures—fully divine and fully human in one person. The council also elevated the see of Constantinople to a position of honor, granting it privileges equal to those of Rome and e council explicitly condemned the Eutychian doctrine of monophysitism and also issued canons on church discipline.
Justin II succeeds his uncle, Justinian I, as Eastern Roman Emperor on November 14, 565 following Justinian's death. His reign lasted until 578, it was marked by initial populism followed by conflicts with the Sassanid Empire and the Lombard invasion of Italy,
Celebration of "The Feast of All Saints" or "All Saints' Day"; a Christian celebration in honor of all the saints of the Church, known or unknown. It is celebrated on November 1st by the Western Catholic Church as well as by many Protestant churches, such as the Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist.
All Saints' Day was established, by Pope Boniface IV on May 13, 609. The date was officially moved by Pope Gregory IV to November 1 in 837. The Eastern Orthodox Church and associated Eastern Catholic and Eastern Lutheran churches celebrate it on the first Sunday after Pentecost. The liturgical celebration begins on the evening of October 31st, and ends at the end of the day on November 1 before All Souls' Day, which commemorates the faithful departed on November 2.
The Byzantine emperor Michael III is assassinated, leading to the ascent of Basil I to the throne.
King Æthelred the Unready orders the massacre of Danes living in England, known as the St. Brice's Day massacre, as a response to a perceived Danish threat.
King Æthelred the Unready orders the St. Brice's Day massacre, leading to the killing of many Danish settlers in England.
%20PD-R.jpg?auto=format,compress&fit=clip&max-w=1600)
Edmund Ironside, King of England, dies on November 30, 1016 leaving the throne to Cnut (Canute) the Great, as per their earlier agreement which had divided the kingdom between the two of them, Cnut became the King of all England.
Cnut proceeded to consolidate his power by exiling Edmund sons executing other possible rivals and strengthening ties with Normandy. He married Emma, the widow of the former king Æthelred the Unready, which helped to legitimize his rule and strengthen his connection to the English royal family. He was an effective ruler and had an stable reign. Later, he became the King of Denmark and Norway, creating a large North Sea Empire.
Byzantine Emperor, Constantine VIII dies on November 12, 1028 ending the Macedonian dynasty's line of direct male succession because he had no sons. While his daughters, Zoe and Theodora, continued the dynasty's rule through marriages with capable emperors, their failure to produce heirs led to a period of instability and ultimately ending the Macedonian dynasty by 1056.
King Canute the Great of England and Denmark dies on November 12, 1035. Rule of the empire was disputed and divided, between his sons: Harold Harefoot and Harthacnut.
Harold was crowned King of England in 1037. Harthacnut ruled Denmark and the North Sea empire and became king of both England and Denmark after Harolds death in 1040. Harthacnut rule was unpopular and his sudden death in 1042 ended the union and restored the Anglo-Saxon line in England with the ascension of Edward the Confessor.