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  • India
    6th Millenium BC
    Meditation

    Meditation Origin

    India
    6th Millenium BC

    Meditation was first developed in India. The oldest documented evidence of the practice of meditation is wall arts in the Indian subcontinent from approximately 5,000 to 3,500 BCE, showing people seated in meditative postures with half-closed eyes.




  • Naqada, Qena, Egypt
    5th Millenium BC
    Ancient Egypt

    Naqada I

    Naqada, Qena, Egypt
    5th Millenium BC

    The Badari was followed by the Naqada culture: the Amratian (Naqada I). The Naqada culture is an archaeological culture of Chalcolithic Predynastic Egypt (ca. 4000–3000 BC), named for the town of Naqada, Qena Governorate. A 2013 Oxford University radio carbon dating study of the Predynastic period, however, suggests a much later date beginning sometime between 3,800–3,700 BC.




  • Han, China
    2
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Fifty-nine million people in the Han empire

    Han, China
    2

    A census counted fifty-nine million people in the Han empire.




  • China
    3
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Ban Biao

    China
    3

    Ping of Han established a national school system.




  • Chang'an, China
    Tuesday Jan 3, 6
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Ping died

    Chang'an, China
    Tuesday Jan 3, 6

    Ping died after being poisoned by Wang Mang, who became acting emperor.




  • China
    8
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Liu Xin completed a star catalogue and calculated the length of the year

    China
    8

    Liu Xin completed a star catalogue and calculated the length of the year.




  • Chang'an, China
    9
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Wang Mang declared himself emperor of the Xin dynasty

    Chang'an, China
    9

    Wang Mang declared himself emperor of the Xin dynasty.


  • Osnabrück County, Lower Saxony (Present-Day in Germany)
    Sep, 9
    Roman Empire

    Battle of the Teutoburg Forest

    Osnabrück County, Lower Saxony (Present-Day in Germany)
    Sep, 9

    The Illyrian tribes revolted and had to be crushed, and three full legions under the command of Publius Quinctilius Varus were ambushed and destroyed at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in AD 9 by Germanic tribes led by Arminius.


  • Chang'an, China
    10
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Wang introduced an income tax of ten percent for professionals

    Chang'an, China
    10

    Wang Mang introduced an income tax of ten percent for professionals and skilled laborers.


  • Rome
    13
    Roman Empire

    Law was passed which extended Augustus' powers over the provinces to Tiberius

    Rome
    13

    In AD 13, a law was passed which extended Augustus' powers over the provinces to Tiberius, so that Tiberius' legal powers were equivalent to, and independent from, those of Augustus.


  • Nola (Present-Day in Naples, Italy)
    Tuesday Aug 19, 14
    Roman Empire

    Augustus died

    Nola (Present-Day in Naples, Italy)
    Tuesday Aug 19, 14

    In AD 14 Augustus died at the age of seventy-five, having ruled the empire for forty years, and was succeeded as emperor by Tiberius.


  • Rome
    Wednesday Sep 17, 14
    Roman Empire

    Tiberius's reign

    Rome
    Wednesday Sep 17, 14

    The early years of Tiberius's reign were relatively peaceful. Tiberius secured the overall power of Rome and enriched its treasury. However, his rule soon became characterized by paranoia. He began a series of treason trials and executions, which continued until his death in 37.


  • (Present-Day Rizhao, China)
    17
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Mother Lü initiated a rebellion against a county magistrate in Haiqu County

    (Present-Day Rizhao, China)
    17

    Mother Lü initiated a rebellion against a county magistrate in Haiqu County, near modern Rizhao.


  • Kunyang, Henan, China
    23
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of Kunyang

    Kunyang, Henan, China
    23

    Lülin forces broke the siege of Kunyang, in modern Ye County, by a vastly superior Xin army.


  • Chang'an, China
    Friday Oct 6, 23
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Lülin rebels stormed the Weiyang Palace and killed Wang

    Chang'an, China
    Friday Oct 6, 23

    Lülin rebels stormed the Weiyang Palace and killed Wang. The Gengshi Emperor ascended the throne, restoring the Han dynasty.


  • China
    25
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Gengshi Emperor was executed

    China
    25

    The Gengshi Emperor was executed.


  • China
    25
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Red Eyebrows appointed Liu Penzi their emperor

    China
    25

    The Red Eyebrows appointed Liu Penzi their emperor.


  • Luoyang, China
    Tuesday Aug 5, 25
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Emperor Guangwu of Han took the title emperor

    Luoyang, China
    Tuesday Aug 5, 25

    The Han warlord Emperor Guangwu of Han took the title emperor.


  • Capri, Italy
    26
    Roman Empire

    Tiberius left power in the hands of Lucius Aelius Sejanus

    Capri, Italy
    26

    He left power in the hands of the commander of the guard, Lucius Aelius Sejanus. Tiberius himself retired to live at his villa on the island of Capri in 26, leaving the administration in the hands of Sejanus, who carried on the persecutions with contentment.


  • China
    27
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    The Red Eyebrows surrendered to the Han dynasty

    China
    27

    The Red Eyebrows surrendered to the Han dynasty.


  • Roman Empire
    31
    Roman Empire

    Sejanus also began to consolidate his own power

    Roman Empire
    31

    Sejanus also began to consolidate his own power; in 31 he was named co-consul with Tiberius and married Livilla, the emperor's niece.


  • Anling, Fufeng County, China
    32
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Ban Gu is born

    Anling, Fufeng County, China
    32

    Ban Gu, the co-author of the Book of Han, is born.


  • Miseno, Italy, Roman Empire
    Monday Mar 16, 37
    Roman Empire

    Tiberius died

    Miseno, Italy, Roman Empire
    Monday Mar 16, 37

    Tiberius died in Misenum on 16 March AD 37, a few months before his 78th birthday.


  • Roman Empire
    Monday Mar 16, 37
    Roman Empire

    Caligula

    Roman Empire
    Monday Mar 16, 37

    At the time of Tiberius's death, most of the people who might have succeeded him had been killed. The logical successor (and Tiberius' own choice) was his 24-year-old grandnephew, Gaius, better known as "Caligula" ("little boots").


  • Roman Empire
    37
    Roman Empire

    Caligula's Illness

    Roman Empire
    37

    The Caligula that emerged in late 37 demonstrated features of mental instability that led modern commentators to diagnose him with such illnesses as encephalitis, which can cause mental derangement, hyperthyroidism, or even a nervous breakdown (perhaps brought on by the stress of his position).


  • Palatine Hill, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Thursday Jan 24, 41
    Roman Empire

    Caligula was assassinated

    Palatine Hill, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Thursday Jan 24, 41

    In 41, Caligula was assassinated by the commander of the guard Cassius Chaerea. Also killed were his fourth wife Caesonia and their daughter Julia Drusilla. For two days following his assassination, the senate debated the merits of restoring the Republic.


  • Rome
    Thursday Jan 24, 41
    Roman Empire

    Claudius

    Rome
    Thursday Jan 24, 41

    Claudius was a younger brother of Germanicus and had long been considered a weakling and a fool by the rest of his family. The Praetorian Guard, however, acclaimed him as emperor. Claudius was neither paranoid like his uncle Tiberius, nor insane like his nephew Caligula, and was, therefore, able to administer the Empire with reasonable ability.


  • United Kingdom
    43
    Roman Empire

    Conquest of Britannia

    United Kingdom
    43

    In 43, Claudius resumed the Roman conquest of Britannia that Julius Caesar had begun in the 50s BC, and incorporated more Eastern provinces into the empire.


  • Vietnam
    43
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Vietnam fell into Han control

    Vietnam
    43

    Vietnam fell into Han control.


  • Alexandria, Egypt
    040s
    Library of Alexandria

    Claudius is recorded to have built an addition onto the Library

    Alexandria, Egypt
    040s

    Very little is known about the Library of Alexandria during the time of the Roman Principate (27 BC–284 AD). The emperor Claudius (ruled 41–54 AD) is recorded to have built an addition onto the Library, but it seems that the Library of Alexandria's general fortunes followed those of the city of Alexandria itself.


  • Gardens of Lucullus, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    48
    Roman Empire

    Claudius had his wife executed

    Gardens of Lucullus, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    48

    In his own family life, Claudius was less successful. His wife Messalina cuckolded him; when he found out, he had her executed and married his niece, Agrippina the Younger.


  • Alexandria, Egypt
    050s
    Library of Alexandria

    The only known head librarian from the Roman Period

    Alexandria, Egypt
    050s

    The same was evidently the case even for the position of head librarian; the only known head librarian from the Roman Period was a man named Tiberius Claudius Balbilus, who lived in the middle of the first century AD and was a politician, administrator, and military officer with no record of substantial scholarly achievements.


  • Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Tuesday Oct 13, 54
    Roman Empire

    Claudius died

    Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Tuesday Oct 13, 54

    Claudius was deified later that year. The death of Claudius paved the way for Agrippina's own son, the 17-year-old Lucius Domitius Nero.


  • Rome
    Tuesday Oct 13, 54
    Roman Empire

    Mad Nero

    Rome
    Tuesday Oct 13, 54

    Nero ruled from 54 to 68. During his rule, Nero focused much of his attention on diplomacy, trade, and increasing the cultural capital of the empire.


  • China
    Thursday Mar 29, 57
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Ming of Han

    China
    Thursday Mar 29, 57

    Guangwu died. He was succeeded by his son Emperor Ming of Han.


  • Italy, Roman Empire (Probably in Misenum, Italy)
    59
    Roman Empire

    Nero killing his mother

    Italy, Roman Empire (Probably in Misenum, Italy)
    59

    However, he was egotistical and had severe troubles with his mother, who he felt was controlling and overbearing. After several attempts to kill her, he finally had her stabbed to death.


  • Rome
    Friday Jul 18, 64
    Roman Empire

    Great Fire of Rome

    Rome
    Friday Jul 18, 64

    He believed himself a god and decided to build an opulent palace for himself. The so-called Domus Aurea, meaning golden house in Latin, was constructed atop the burnt remains of Rome after the Great Fire of Rome (64). Nero was ultimately responsible for the fire. By this time Nero was hugely unpopular despite his attempts to blame the Christians for most of his regime's problems.


  • Luoyang, China
    68
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    The Buddhist White Horse Temple was established

    Luoyang, China
    68

    The Buddhist White Horse Temple was established in Luoyang.


  • Rome
    Friday Jun 8, 68
    Roman Empire

    Servius Sulpicius Galba

    Rome
    Friday Jun 8, 68

    Servius Sulpicius Galba, born as Lucius Livius Ocella Sulpicius Galba, was a Roman emperor who ruled from AD 68 to 69. He was the first emperor in the Year of the Four Emperors and assumed the position following Emperor Nero's suicide. Galba's physical weakness and general apathy led to him being selected over by favorites. Unable to gain popularity with the people or maintain the support of the Praetorian Guard, Galba was murdered by Otho, who became emperor in his place.


  • Outside Rome
    Saturday Jun 9, 68
    Roman Empire

    Nero committed suicide

    Outside Rome
    Saturday Jun 9, 68

    A military coup drove Nero into hiding. Facing execution at the hands of the Roman Senate, he reportedly committed suicide in 68. According to Cassius Dio, Nero's last words were "Jupiter, what an artist perishes in me!".


  • Rome
    Tuesday Jan 15, 69
    Roman Empire

    Marcus Otho

    Rome
    Tuesday Jan 15, 69

    Marcus Otho was Roman emperor for three months, from 15 January to 16 April 69. He was the second emperor of the Year of the Four Emperors. Inheriting the problem of the rebellion of Vitellius, commander of the army in Germania Inferior, Otho led a sizeable force that met Vitellius' army at the Battle of Bedriacum. After initial fighting resulted in 40,000 casualties, and a retreat of his forces, Otho committed suicide rather than fight on, and Vitellius was proclaimed emperor.


  • Rome
    Friday Apr 19, 69
    Roman Empire

    Aulus Vitellius

    Rome
    Friday Apr 19, 69

    Aulus Vitellius was Roman Emperor for eight months, from 19 April to 20 December AD 69. Vitellius was proclaimed emperor following the quick succession of the previous emperors Galba and Otho, in a year of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. His claim to the throne was soon challenged by legions stationed in the eastern provinces, who proclaimed their commander Vespasian emperor instead. War ensued, leading to a crushing defeat for Vitellius at the Second Battle of Bedriacum in northern Italy. Once he realized his support was wavering, Vitellius prepared to abdicate in favor of Vespasian. He was not allowed to do so by his supporters, resulting in a brutal battle for Rome between Vitellius' forces and the armies of Vespasian. He was executed in Rome by Vespasian's soldiers on 20 December 69.


  • Rome
    Monday Jul 1, 69
    Roman Empire

    Vespasian

    Rome
    Monday Jul 1, 69

    As a result of the Second Battle of Bedriacum, Vespasian became the fourth and last emperor who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors, he founded the Flavian dynasty that ruled the Empire for 27 years.


  • Batavia (Present-Day in Netherlands)
    69
    Roman Empire

    Revolt of the Batavi

    Batavia (Present-Day in Netherlands)
    69

    The Revolt of the Batavi took place in the Roman province of Germania Inferior between AD 69 and 70. It was an uprising against the Roman Empire started by the Batavi, a small but militarily powerful Germanic tribe that inhabited Batavia, on the delta of the river Rhine. They were soon joined by the Celtic tribes from Gallia Belgica and some Germanic tribes.


  • Rome
    69
    Roman Empire

    Colosseum

    Rome
    69

    Vespasian began construction on the Colosseum.


  • Alexandria, Roman Egypt (Present Day Egypt)
    1st Century
    Wind turbine

    The first recording of wind machine

    Alexandria, Roman Egypt (Present Day Egypt)
    1st Century

    The windwheel of Hero of Alexandria (10 AD – 70 AD) marks one of the first recorded instances of wind powering a machine in history.


  • Hami City, China
    Feb, 73
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of Yiwulu

    Hami City, China
    Feb, 73

    A punitive Han expedition against the Xiongnu captured territory in the area of modern Hami City.


  • Luoyang, China
    75
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Zhang of Han

    Luoyang, China
    75

    Ming died. He was succeeded by his son Emperor Zhang of Han.


  • Rome
    Saturday Jun 24, 79
    Roman Empire

    Titus Caesar Vespasianus

    Rome
    Saturday Jun 24, 79

    Titus, Vespasian's successor, quickly proved his merit, although his short reign was marked by disaster, including the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii. He held the opening ceremonies in the still unfinished Colosseum but died in 81.


  • Pompeii, Italy, Roman Empire
    79
    Roman Empire

    Mount Vesuvius erupted in Pompeii

    Pompeii, Italy, Roman Empire
    79

    Mount Vesuvius erupted in Pompeii.


  • Rome
    Sunday Sep 14, 81
    Roman Empire

    Domitian

    Rome
    Sunday Sep 14, 81

    Titus' brother Domitian succeeded him. Having exceedingly poor relations with the Senate, Domitian was murdered in September 96.


  • China
    83
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Wang Chong correctly theorized the nature of the water cycle

    China
    83

    Wang Chong correctly theorized the nature of the water cycle.


  • Moesia, Dacia
    86
    Roman Empire

    Domitian's Dacian War

    Moesia, Dacia
    86

    Domitian repelled the Dacians in his Dacian War; the Dacians had sought to conquer Moesia, south of the Danube in the Roman Balkans.


  • China
    86
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Jin Midi died

    China
    86

    Jin Midi died.


  • China
    88
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    He of Han

    China
    88

    Zhang died. He was succeeded by his son Emperor He of Han.


  • Region near the Altai Mountains, Mongolia
    Jun, 89
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Battle of the Altai Mountains

    Region near the Altai Mountains, Mongolia
    Jun, 89

    Han and allied forces defeated the army of the Northern Chanyu and accepted the surrender of two hundred thousand Xiongnu soldiers in the Altai Mountains.


  • Syria
    1st Century
    Arameans

    Bible was translated into Aramaic

    Syria
    1st Century

    Between the 1st and the 3rd centuries AD, ancient Arameans adopted Christianity, thus replacing the old polytheistic Aramean religion. In the same tame, Christian Bible was translated into Aramaic.


  • Rome
    Tuesday Sep 18, 96
    Roman Empire

    Nerva

    Rome
    Tuesday Sep 18, 96

    On 18 September 96, Domitian was assassinated in a palace conspiracy involving members of the Praetorian Guard and several of his freedmen. On the same day, Nerva was declared emperor by the Roman Senate. As the new ruler of the Roman Empire, he vowed to restore liberties that had been curtailed during the autocratic government of Domitian.


  • Rome
    97
    Roman Empire

    Nerva adopted Trajan

    Rome
    97

    Nerva's brief reign was marred by financial difficulties and his inability to assert his authority over the Roman army. A revolt by the Praetorian Guard in October 97 essentially forced him to adopt an heir. After some deliberation, Nerva adopted Trajan, a young and popular general, as his successor.


  • Gardens of Sallust, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Monday Jan 27, 98
    Roman Empire

    Nerva died

    Gardens of Sallust, Rome, Italy, Roman Empire
    Monday Jan 27, 98

    After barely fifteen months in office, Nerva died of natural causes on 27 January 98. Upon his death, he was succeeded and deified by Trajan.


  • China
    100
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Xu Shen completed the Shuowen Jiezi

    China
    100

    Xu Shen completed the Shuowen Jiezi.


  • Transylvania, Romania
    Sep, 101
    Roman Empire

    Second Battle of Tapae

    Transylvania, Romania
    Sep, 101

    Upon his accession to the throne, Trajan prepared and launched a carefully planned military invasion in Dacia, a region north of the lower Danube whose inhabitants the Dacians had long been an opponent to Rome. In 101, Trajan personally crossed the Danube and defeated the armies of the Dacian king Decebalus at the Battle of Tapae.


  • Sarmizegetusa Regia (Present-Day in Grădiștea de Munte, Hunedoara County, Romania)
    105
    Roman Empire

    Trajan invaded Sarmizegetusa Regia

    Sarmizegetusa Regia (Present-Day in Grădiștea de Munte, Hunedoara County, Romania)
    105

    Decebalus complied with the terms for a time, but before long he began inciting revolt. In 105 Trajan once again invaded and after a yearlong invasion ultimately defeated the Dacians by conquering their capital, Sarmizegetusa Regia. King Decebalus, cornered by the Roman cavalry, eventually committed suicide rather than being captured and humiliated in Rome.


  • China
    Friday Feb 13, 105
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    He of Han died

    China
    Friday Feb 13, 105

    He of Han died.


  • Luoyang, China
    Mar, 105
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Shang of Han

    Luoyang, China
    Mar, 105

    He's infant son Emperor Shang of Han was made emperor of Han with empress dowager Deng Sui acting as regent.


  • Rome
    105
    Roman Empire

    Trajan's Column

    Rome
    105

    The conquest of Dacia was a major accomplishment for Trajan, who ordered 123 days of celebration throughout the empire. He also constructed Trajan's Column in the middle of Trajan's Forum in Rome to glorify the victory.


  • China
    105
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Cai Lun invented papermaking

    China
    105

    Cai Lun invented papermaking.


  • Luoyang, China
    106
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Shang of Han died

    Luoyang, China
    106

    Shang died.


  • Luoyang, China
    106
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    An of Han

    Luoyang, China
    106

    Shang's young cousin Emperor An of Han became emperor, with Deng Sui continuing to act as regent.


  • Artaxata, Kingdom of Armenia (Present-Day Artashat, Armenia)
    112
    Roman Empire

    Trajan was provoked by the decision of Osroes I

    Artaxata, Kingdom of Armenia (Present-Day Artashat, Armenia)
    112

    In 112, Trajan was provoked by the decision of Osroes I to put his own nephew Axidaris on the throne of the Kingdom of Armenia.


  • Rome, Roman Empire
    113
    Libraries

    Ulpian Library

    Rome, Roman Empire
    113

    One of the best preserved was the ancient Ulpian Library built by the Emperor Trajan. Completed in 112/113 AD, the Ulpian Library was part of Trajan's Forum built on the Capitoline Hill. Trajan's Column separated the Greek and Latin rooms which faced each other. The structure was approximately fifty feet high with the peak of the roof reaching almost seventy feet.


  • Armenia
    110s
    Roman Empire

    Trajan invaded Armenia

    Armenia
    110s

    Trajan first invaded Armenia. He deposed the king and annexed it to the Roman Empire.


  • Roman Empire (now Turkey)
    Friday Dec 13, 115
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    115 Antioch Earthquake

    Roman Empire (now Turkey)
    Friday Dec 13, 115

    The 115 Antioch earthquake occurred on 13 December 115 AD. It had an estimated magnitude of 7.5 on the surface wave magnitude scale and an estimated maximum intensity of XI (Extreme) on the Mercalli intensity scale. The origin of the reported death toll of 260,000 is uncertain, as it only appears in catalogues of about the last hundred years.


  • Ctesiphon (Present-Day in Iraq)
    116
    Roman Empire

    Trajan took Ctesiphon

    Ctesiphon (Present-Day in Iraq)
    116

    Then Trajan turned south into Parthian territory in Mesopotamia, taking the cities of Babylon, Seleucia, and finally the capital of Ctesiphon in 116.


  • Susa (Present-Day Shush, Khuzestan Province, Iran)
    116
    Roman Empire

    Trajan captured the great city of Susa

    Susa (Present-Day Shush, Khuzestan Province, Iran)
    116

    In 116, Trajan captured the great city of Susa. He deposed the emperor Osroes I and put his own puppet ruler Parthamaspates on the throne.


  • Roman Empire
    117
    Roman Empire

    Trajan suppressed the Kitos War

    Roman Empire
    117

    Trajan suppressed the Kitos War, a Jewish uprising across the eastern provinces.


  • Roman Empire (most-probablyin Turkey)
    117
    Roman Empire

    Hadrian as heir

    Roman Empire (most-probablyin Turkey)
    117

    Failure to nominate an heir could invite chaotic, destructive wresting of power by a succession of competing claimants – a civil war. Too early a nomination could be seen as an abdication, and reduce the chance for an orderly transmission of power. As Trajan lay dying, nursed by his wife, Plotina, and closely watched by Perfect Attianus, he could have lawfully adopted Hadrian as heir, by means of a simple deathbed wish, expressed before witnesses; but when an adoption document was eventually presented, it was signed not by Trajan but by Plotina, and was dated the day after Trajan's death.


  • Selinus, Cilicia (Present-Day in Turkey)
    Wednesday Aug 11, 117
    Roman Empire

    Trajan died

    Selinus, Cilicia (Present-Day in Turkey)
    Wednesday Aug 11, 117

    Early in 117, Trajan grew ill and set out to sail back to Italy. His health declined throughout the spring and summer of 117, something publicly acknowledged by the fact that a bronze bust displayed at the time in the public baths of Ancyra showed him clearly aged and emaciated. After reaching Selinus (modern Gazipaşa) in Cilicia, which was afterward called Trajanopolis, he suddenly died from edema, probably on 11 August.


  • Roman Empire
    Wednesday Aug 11, 117
    Roman Empire

    Hadrian

    Roman Empire
    Wednesday Aug 11, 117

    Despite his own excellence as a military administrator, Hadrian's reign was marked more by the defense of the empire's vast territories, rather than major military conflicts.


  • Roman Empire
    117
    Roman Empire

    Four executions

    Roman Empire
    117

    Hadrian relieved Judea's governor, the outstanding Moorish general Lusius Quietus, of his personal guard of Moorish auxiliaries; then he moved on to quell disturbances along the Danube frontier. There was no public trial for the four – they were tried in absentia, hunted down, and killed. Hadrian claimed that Attianus had acted on his own initiative, and rewarded him with senatorial status and consular rank; then pensioned him off, no later than 120. Hadrian assured the senate that henceforth their ancient right to prosecute and judge their own would be respected. In Rome, Hadrian's former guardian and current Praetorian Prefect, Attianus, claimed to have uncovered a conspiracy involving Lusius Quietus and three other leading senators, Lucius Publilius Celsus, Aulus Cornelius Palma Frontonianus, and Gaius Avidius Nigrinus.


  • United Kingdom
    119
    Roman Empire

    Major rebellion in Britannia

    United Kingdom
    119

    Prior to Hadrian's arrival in Britannia, the province had suffered a major rebellion, from 119 to 121. Inscriptions tell of an expeditio Britannica that involved major troop movements, including the dispatch of a detachment (vexillatio), comprising some 3,000 soldiers. Fronto writes about military losses in Britannia at the time.


  • Roman Empire
    120
    Roman Empire

    Antoninus Pius obtained the consulship

    Roman Empire
    120

    Having filled the offices of quaestor and praetor with more than usual success, Antoninus Pius obtained the consulship in 120 having as his colleague Lucius Catilius Severus.


  • Parthian Empire
    121
    Roman Empire

    Hadrian succeeded in negotiating a peace

    Parthian Empire
    121

    Hadrian surrendered Trajan's conquests in Mesopotamia, considering them to be indefensible. There was almost a war with Vologases III of Parthia around 121, but the threat was averted when Hadrian succeeded in negotiating a peace.


  • United Kingdom
    122
    Roman Empire

    Hadrian had concluded his visit to Britannia

    United Kingdom
    122

    A shrine was erected in York to Britannia as the divine personification of Britain; coins were struck, bearing her image, identified as BRITANNIA. By the end of 122, Hadrian had concluded his visit to Britannia. He never saw the finished wall that bears his name.


  • United Kingdom
    122
    Roman Empire

    Hadrian's Wall

    United Kingdom
    122

    Coin legends of 119–120 attest that Quintus Pompeius Falco was sent to restore order. In 122 Hadrian initiated the construction of a wall, "to separate Romans from barbarians". The idea that the wall was built in order to deal with an actual threat or its resurgence, however, is probable but nevertheless conjectural.


  • Mauretania or "Ancient Maghreb"
    123
    Roman Empire

    Hadrian crossed the Mediterranean to Mauretania

    Mauretania or "Ancient Maghreb"
    123

    In 123, Hadrian crossed the Mediterranean to Mauretania, where he personally led a minor campaign against local rebels. The visit was cut short by reports of war preparations by Parthia; Hadrian quickly headed eastwards. At some point, he visited Cyrene, where he personally funded the training of young men from well-bred families for the Roman military. Cyrene had benefited earlier (in 119) from his restoration of public buildings destroyed during the earlier Jewish revolt.


  • Roman Empire
    125
    Roman Empire

    Hadrian appointed Quintus Marcius Turbo as his Praetorian Prefect

    Roman Empire
    125

    Soon after, in 125, Hadrian appointed Quintus Marcius Turbo as his Praetorian Prefect. Turbo was his close friend, a leading figure of the equestrian order, a senior court judge, and a procurator.


  • China
    Monday Apr 30, 125
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    An of Han died

    China
    Monday Apr 30, 125

    An died.


  • Luoyang, Han dynasty, China
    125
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Marquess of Beixiang became emperor

    Luoyang, Han dynasty, China
    125

    The Marquess of Beixiang became emperor of the Han dynasty.


  • Han, China
    Monday Dec 10, 125
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Marquess of Beixiang died

    Han, China
    Monday Dec 10, 125

    The Marquess of Beixiang died.


  • Luoyang, China
    125
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    An's son Emperor Shun of Han became emperor of the Han dynasty

    Luoyang, China
    125

    An's son Emperor Shun of Han became emperor of the Han dynasty.


  • China
    132
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Zhang Heng invented a seismometer capable of indicating the direction of earthquakes

    China
    132

    Zhang Heng invented a seismometer capable of indicating the direction of earthquakes.


  • Western Asia
    134
    Roman Empire

    Antoninus Pius as proconsul of Asia

    Western Asia
    134

    Antoninus Pius was next appointed by Emperor Hadrian as one of the four proconsuls to administer Italia, his district including Etruria, where he had estates. He then greatly increased his reputation by his conduct as proconsul of Asia, probably during 134–135.


  • Ephesus, Anatolia (Present Day Selçuk, Turkey)
    130s
    Libraries

    Library of Celsus

    Ephesus, Anatolia (Present Day Selçuk, Turkey)
    130s

    The Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Anatolia, now part of Selçuk, Turkey was built in honor of the Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus by Celsus' son, Tiberius Julius Aquila Polemaeanus. The library was built to store 12,000 scrolls and to serve as a monumental tomb for Celsus. The library's ruins were hidden under debris of the city of Ephesus that was deserted in early Middle Ages.


  • Judea Province
    136
    Roman Empire

    Hadrian's army crushed the Bar Kokhba revolt

    Judea Province
    136

    Hadrian's army crushed the Bar Kokhba revolt, a massive Jewish uprising in Judea (132–136).


  • Roman Empire
    Tuesday Feb 25, 138
    Roman Empire

    Antoninus Pius "adopted son"

    Roman Empire
    Tuesday Feb 25, 138

    Antoninus Pius acquired much favor with Hadrian, who adopted him as his son and successor on 25 February 138, after the death of his first adopted son Lucius Aelius, on the condition that Antoninus would, in turn, adopt Marcus Annius Verus, the son of his wife's brother, and Lucius, son of Lucius Aelius, who afterward became the emperors, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.


  • Baiae, Italy, Roman Empire (Present-Day Bacoli, Campania, Italy)
    Thursday Jul 10, 138
    Roman Empire

    Hadrian died

    Baiae, Italy, Roman Empire (Present-Day Bacoli, Campania, Italy)
    Thursday Jul 10, 138

    Hadrian died in the year 138 on 10 July, in his villa at Baiae at the age of 62.


  • Roman Empire
    Friday Jul 11, 138
    Roman Empire

    Antoninus Pius

    Roman Empire
    Friday Jul 11, 138

    Antoninus Pius's reign was comparatively peaceful; there were several military disturbances throughout the Empire in his time, in Mauretania, Judaea, and amongst the Brigantes in Britain, but none of them are considered serious.


  • Roman Empire
    140
    Roman Empire

    Marcus Aurelius had already been created consul with Antoninus

    Roman Empire
    140

    Marcus Aurelius had already been created consul with Antoninus in 140, receiving the title of Caesar, i.e., heir apparent. As Antoninus aged, Marcus took on more administrative duties.


  • China
    142
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    The Cantong qi was published

    China
    142

    The Cantong qi was published.


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