Your Day in the Ancient Greek World

February 27

February 27 in ancient Greece is represented in our source-audited archive by 3 verified records spanning AD 108 to AD 425. Together, the entries below connect this calendar date with different moments in the ancient Greek world through historical and documentary evidence.

Across the centuries

On This Day

  1. AD 108

    Life on This Day

    Tebtynis, Arsinoite nome, Roman Egypt Family & Relationships High

    A Young Man Acknowledges Payment from a Family Bequest

    On February 27, AD 108, Castor, aged twenty-two, acknowledged receiving 401 drachmas and 2 obols from his uncle Heraclides. The payment represented one-third of a sum still due under a 2,000-drachma family bequest.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • P.Fam.Tebt. 10 = British Library Papyrus 1957, TM 10727

    Modern scholarship

    • British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue

    Public links

  2. AD 380

    Event That Shaped History

    Thessalonica Religion & Ideas High

    The Edict of Thessalonica Defines Imperial Nicene Orthodoxy

    On February 27, AD 380, Theodosius I, Gratian and Valentinian II issued the constitution later preserved as CTh 16.1.2. It directed their subjects toward the Nicene Christianity associated with the bishops of Rome and Alexandria.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • Codex Theodosianus 16.1.2

    Modern scholarship

    • Modern scholarship on Theodosius I and Nicene policy

    Public links

  3. AD 425

    Event That Shaped History

    Constantinople Society & Daily Life High

    Theodosius II Regulates Public Higher Education in Constantinople

    On February 27, AD 425, Theodosius II and Valentinian III issued legislation at Constantinople organizing publicly supported teaching in Greek and Latin. The law assigned teaching posts and public lecture spaces while distinguishing public instruction from private tuition.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • Codex Theodosianus 14.9.3 and 15.1.53

    Modern scholarship

    • Journal of Hellenic Studies
    • Oxford Academic scholarship on language practice
    • Legal history scholarship on CTh 14.9.3

    Public links