305

Centuries:	3rd century · 4th century · 5th century
Decades:	270s 280s 290s 300s 310s 320s 330s
Years:	302 303 304 305 306 307 308

305 by topic
Politics
State leaders – Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
Births – Deaths
Establishment and disestablishment categories
Establishments – Disestablishments

Events

May 1—Diocletian and Maximian, Emperors of Rome, retire from office.
Constantius Chlorus and Galerius are declared Augusti; Flavius Valerius Severus and Maximinus Daia are appointed Caesars.
The Arch of Galerius is built.
In the Western Empire, the capital is moved from Rome to Milan.
Maximinus Daïa (305–313) persecutes the Christians of Egypt, many of whom take refuge in the desert. In time, this refuge leads to the monastic life. In these monasteries Coptic writing develops, supporting the propagation of Christian texts.
Patron of Pozzuoli, Saint Proculus, and patron of Naples, Saint Januarius are thrown to wild beasts in Pozzuoli's Flavian Amphitheater, then beheaded at Solfatara.

The Council of Illiberis decrees that priests must be celibate. Additionally, it condemns visiting the homes of Jews and prohibits Christian women from marrying Jews, unless they have converted.

Hierocles, proconsul of Bithynia who instigated the persecution of the Christians under Galerius
Januarius, patron saint of Naples
Porphyry, Neoplatonist philosopher
Proculus of Pozzuoli, patron saint of Pozzuoli
Wang Rong
Tuoba Yituo