This Month in History

It is always fun and interesting to poke around the internet to see what was happening this month around the world; for this post, I am going to share events that occurred during the month of October.

52 BC: End of the Battle of Alesia.

Julius Caesar battled the Gauls to take over their land during the Gallic War. The leader of the Gauls was Vercingtorix; he sent for reinforcements after Caesar’s troops overwhelmed the Gauls, but the army was defeated and Vercingtorix surrendered.

14 AD: Ludi Augustales.

Ludi Augustales were games played by the Romans to celebrate the life of Augustus, emperor of Rome. The games were held every four years and included theater in the celebration.

1226: St. Francis of Assisi died.

St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and ecology. He devoted his life to following the word of Jesus and sharing the Good News. St. Francis of Assisi gave up his material possessions in order to focus on delivering his message.

1264: the comet said to predict the death of Pope Urban IV last seen.

A comet was observed in the sky for three months prior to the death of Pope Urban IV. The last night that the comet was visible was the night that Pope Urban IV passed away. Following his passing, a Latin verse about comets foreshadowing “disaster, sickness, hunger, and war” gained popularity.

1283: Dafydd ap Gruffydd, prince of Gwynedd in Wales, is executed.

Dafydd ap Gruffydd suffered a gruesome death by hanging then being drawn and quartered. Dafydd ap Gruffydd was a successful Welshman who sided with King Edward over his own brother in a battle. Following the battle, Dafydd ap Gruffydd sided with his brother over King Edward in another dispute and attacked the King’s troops. Dafydd ap Gruffydd was convicted of treason and sentenced to death.