February 5, 46 BC, Marcus Cato, the Roman philosopher, committed suicide by stabbing himself,after learning of the victory of his enemy, Julius Caesar, over Pompey at Thapsus. 62 Pompeii and Herculaneum were severely damaged by an earthquake. 1204 Alexius V was proclaimed Eastern Roman Emperor during the siege of Constantinople. 1265 Pope Clement IV was elected. 1576 Henry of Navarre abjured Catholicism at Tours and rejoined the Protestant forces in the French Wars of Religion.