Your Day in the Ancient Greek World

May 20

May 20 in ancient Greece is represented in our source-audited archive by 3 verified records spanning AD 325 to AD 491. 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 325

    Event That Shaped History

    Nicaea, Bithynia Religion Reconstructed

    The Council of Nicaea Convenes

    A later ecclesiastical chronological tradition dates the opening of the Council of Nicaea to May 20, AD 325.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • Socrates Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History I

    Modern scholarship

    • Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers chronological edition

    Public links

  2. AD 489

    Life on This Day

    Oxyrhynchus, Byzantine Egypt Society & Daily Life High

    An Apion Estate Lease Is Drawn Up at Oxyrhynchus

    On May 20, AD 489, a Greek contract from the Apion archive leased agricultural land at Oxyrhynchus.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • P.Flor. III 325

    Modern scholarship

    • PSI Online catalogue
    • Corrected late antique chronology

    Public links

  3. AD 491

    Event That Shaped History

    Constantinople Politics & Power High

    Ariadne Marries the New Emperor Anastasius

    On May 20, AD 491, Empress Ariadne married Anastasius I shortly after his accession.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • Late antique chronicles of the accession and marriage of Anastasius I

    Modern scholarship

    • Modern Byzantine chronology
    • Anthony Kaldellis, The New Roman Empire

    Public links