Your Day in the Ancient Greek World

January 17

January 17 in ancient Greece is represented in our source-audited archive by 2 verified records spanning AD 395 to AD 535. 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 395

    Event That Shaped History

    Mediolanum, Roman Empire, with immediate succession in Constantinople Politics & Power High

    Emperor Theodosius I Dies

    On January 17, AD 395, Emperor Theodosius I died at Mediolanum. His death divided effective rule between his sons Arcadius in the East and Honorius in the West, creating a political arrangement that became a major turning point in late Roman history.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • Late Roman chronicle tradition for the death of Theodosius I

    Modern scholarship

    • Modern studies of Theodosius I and the Theodosian dynasty

    Public links

  2. AD 535

    Life on This Day

    Leontos epoikion, Oxyrhynchite nome, Byzantine Egypt Economy & Trade High

    A Farmer Acknowledges an Advance Connected with His Work

    On January 17, AD 535, a Greek receipt recorded an advance from Pamouthius to Johannes, a farmer responsible for two irrigated farms on the Apion estate. The document shows how cash advances could structure agricultural work and tenancy in late antique Egypt.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • P.CtYBR inv. 33 qua; P.Oxy. 206 descr.

    Modern scholarship

    • Yale Papyrus Collection catalogue
    • Montserrat, Fantoni and Robinson edition
    • Modern scholarship on prochreia agreements

    Public links