On This Day

Felix III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

Pope Simplicius (died 2 or 10 March 483) was the bishop of Rome from 468 to his death on 10 March 483.

Pope Simplicius (died 2 or 10 March 483) was the bishop of Rome from 468 to his death on 10 March 483. He combated the Eutychian heresy, ended the practice of consecrating bishops only in December, and sought to offset the effects of Germanic invasions. His pontificate coincided with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476, when Odoacer deposed the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, though it had little impact on the Church's administration of Rome.

Historical Significance

Pope Simplicius (died 2 or 10 March 483) was the bishop of Rome from 468 to his death on 10 March 483.

Events Before

  1. Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, abdicates after forces led by Odoacer invade Rome, the traditional d

    Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, abdicates after forces led by Odoacer invade Rome, the traditional date for the end of the Western Roman Empire

  2. Odoacer is proclaimed King of Italy by his troops, becoming the first barbarian King of Italy

    Odoacer (433 – 15 March 493 AD), also spelled Odovacer or Odovacar, was a barbarian soldier and statesman from the Middle Danube who was an officer of the Roman army and deposed the Western Roman...

  3. BC Greco-Persian Wars: Battle of Mycale is won by Greek forces over Persian naval troops on the Ionian coast

    The second Persian invasion of Greece (480–479 BC) occurred during the Greco-Persian Wars, as King Xerxes I of Persia sought to conquer all of Greece.

  4. BC Battle of Salamis: The Greek fleet under Themistocles defeats the Persian fleet under Xerxes I

    Xerxes I (commonly known as Xerxes the Great; c. 518 BC – 465 BC) was a Persian ruler who reigned as the fourth King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 486 BC until his assassination in...

  5. BC Greco-Persian Wars: Battle of Artemisium - Persian naval victory over the Greeks in an engagement fought off north co

    BC Greco-Persian Wars: Battle of Artemisium - Persian naval victory over the Greeks in an engagement fought off north coast of Euboea

Events After

  1. King of the Ostrogoths Theodoric the Great defeats Germanic King of Italy Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo, forcing his w

    King of the Ostrogoths Theodoric the Great defeats Germanic King of Italy Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo, forcing his way into Italy

  2. Germanic King of Italy Odoacer attacks Ostrogothic leader Theodoric the Great at the Battle of Verona and is defeated ag

    Germanic King of Italy Odoacer attacks Ostrogothic leader Theodoric the Great at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again

  3. New Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I Dicorus marries Ariadne, widow of previous Emperor Zeno and daughter of Leo I

    New Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I Dicorus marries Ariadne, widow of previous Emperor Zeno and daughter of Leo I

  4. Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, as Anastasius I - often called the first Byzantine Emperor

    Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, as Anastasius I - often called the first Byzantine Emperor

  5. Gelasius I elected Catholic Pope; in office until his death in 496

    Gelasius I elected Catholic Pope; in office until his death in 496

More from the 480s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 13, 483?
Pope Simplicius (died 2 or 10 March 483) was the bishop of Rome from 468 to his death on 10 March 483. He combated the Eutychian heresy, ended the practice of consecrating bishops only in December, and sought to offset the effects of Germanic invasions. His pontificate coincided with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476, when Odoacer deposed the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, though it had little impact on the Church's administration of Rome.
Why is Felix III begins his reign as Catholic Pope significant?
Pope Simplicius (died 2 or 10 March 483) was the bishop of Rome from 468 to his death on 10 March 483.

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