The First Century

The first half of the first century witnesses the final collapse of the Roman Republic and the emergence of the Roman Empire. Emperor Augustus (63 B.C.-14 A.D., R 27 B.C.-14 A.D.) and many of his contemporaries believe that only a strong central power, in the form of a benign dictator, can be effective in ruling an empire the size of Rome. While most of his early career centers on consolating his power, much of his later reign is dominated by his desire to have an effective successor who could continue to wield effective power throughout the vast empire. His successors, Tiberius (42 B.C.-37 A.D.,R 14-37 A.D.) Gaius (12-43 A.D.,R 37-43 A.D.) and Claudius (10 B.C.-54 A.D.,R 43-54 A.D.), benefit from Augustus’ success in restoring the peace and expanding the social, economic, and religious well-being of the Empire. Even the excesses of Gaius (Caligula) do little to weaken the confidence the Roman people have in the institution of the Emperor. The last Emperor during the first half of the first center, Claudius, is the first to be installed by the Emperors’ personal guard (Praetorians), an example that would be repeated by subsequent emperors. During this period, Rome often places friendly leaders in charge of neighboring countries rather simply annex the territory. However, when conditions demanded, Imperial troops occupied new territories. During this time, Rome absorbs Cappadocia, Judea, Mauretania, Thrace, and Britain. The first part of this century also sees the birth of a religious movement in Judea that eventually becomes Christianity. So named after a itinerant Judean teacher who claimed to be the Jewish Messiah. Adherents, led by Paul of Tarsus (d. c67A.D.) began to spread the belief that Jesus (c4 B.C.-c30 A.D.) was the son of the one God and that by believing in Him, one could achieve a heavenly existence after death. During this period, the promise of a better life after death resulted in the slow growth of the movement among slaves and the lower classes. In China, Wang Mang (33 B.C.-23A.D.,R 6-23A.D.) deposes the Han emperor and establishes the H’sin dynasty. The H’sin dynasty does not survive Wang Mang’s death and following two years of civil war Liu H’siu (Kuang Wu Ti) (5B.C.-57A.D.)(R25-57A.D.) reestablishes the Later or Eastern Han dynasty which lasts until 220. Warfare continues however, until 36 A.D. when forces loyal to the ousted Han Dynasty defeat the last major rival and reestablish control in the country.

1 Approximate date when the Roman poet Publius Ovidius (Ovid) (43 B.C.-18A.D.) publishes “Ars Amatoria” or “Art of Love”, which causes a sensation in Rome. 2 Roman Emperor Augustus (63 B.C.-14 A.D.) recalls Tiberius (42 B.C.-37 A.D.) from self-emposed exile in Rhodes and adopts him as is heir after the death of his own grandson, Lucius (17 B.C.). (See 14) 3 Augustus’ grandson Gaius (12-3 A.D.) is wounded in a battle with Armenian rebels near Artaxta (Gaius dies the next year and leave Rome with no male heir. 4 Roman forces under Tiberius (42 B.C.-37 A. D.) advance to the Rhine River and overwhelm several barbarian tribes in the region. (See 9) 5 Roman Emperor Augustus (63 B.C.-14 A.D.) reorganizes the military and sets the term of service at 14 years for Praetorian Guards and 20 years for the legions. 6 In China, Wang Mang (33B.C.-23 A.D.) ousts the last Former Han Dynasty emperor, names himself emperor and proclaims the H’sin Dynasty. (See 23) 7 In Roman Pannonia, Tiberius (42 B.C.-37 A.D.) receives reinforcement and launches an offensive against Pannonian rebels. 8 Roman Emperor Augustus (63 B.C.-14 A.D.) banishes his granddaughter Julia (Tiberius’ wife) from Rome on charges of adultery. 9 German tribal forces under Arminius (c17 B.C.-20 A.D.) defeat and destroy three Roman legions under Quinctilius Varus (d 9 A.D.) in the Teutoburger Forest near Detmold. (See 4) 10 In China, Emperor Wang Mang (33B.C.-23 A.D.) institutes state monopolies on alcohol, salt, and other vital businesses. (See 6, 23) 11In China, the Yellow River floods and eventually changes course. 12 In China, native tribes of the Kweichow region revolt against Chinese authority and kill the Chinese governor. 13 In Rome, Augustus (63 B.C.-14 A.D.) orders Germanicus (15 B.C.-19A.D.) to assume command of Roman legions in the Rhine River Valley and transfers Tiberius (42 B.C.-37 A. D.) to the Balkans. (See 4, 9, 14) 14 Tiberius Claudius Nero/Tiberius Claudius Caesar (42 B.C.-37 A. D.) begins a twenty-three year reign as Roman Emperor following the death of Augustus (Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus) (63 B.C.) 15 Roman writer Titus Livius (Livi) completes “Ab Urbe Condita.” (The History of Rome from Aeneas to 9 B.C.) 16 In the Roman Empire Germanicus (15 B.C.-19A.D.) leads eight Roman legions against German forces under Arminius (c17 B.C.-20 A.D.) and defeats them near Idistavisto (See 9) 17 Emperor Tiberius (42 B.C.-37 A. D.) sends Germanicus (15 B.C.-19A.D.) and Calpurnius Piso (d 20 A.D.) to the Middle East to resolve unrest in the Eastern Provinces. (See 19, 20) 18 In China, rebels on Shantung Peninsula, eventually known as the Red Eyebrows, rebel against H’sin Emperor Wang Mang (33 B.C.- 23 A.D.). 19 In the Roman Empire Germanicus (15 B.C.-19A.D.) dies after a violent argument with Calpurnius Piso (d 20 A.D.) and Agrippina accuses Piso of murdering the general. (See 17, 20) 20 In the Roman Empire dies after a violent argument with Calpurnius Piso (d 20 A.D.) is placed on trial for the murder of Germanicus (15 B.C.-19A.D.) but commits suicide. (See 17, 19) 21 Romanized German legions under C. Silius (d 48) and Visellius (?) suppress a brief revolt in Gaul under Julius Florus (?) and Julius Sacrovir (?) and prove the usefulness of German forces. 22 In China, the Red Eyebrows defeat a Chinese army sent to the Shantung Peninsula to suppress the rebellion. (See 23) 23 In China, rebels under Liu Hsuan (?) capture the Hsin capital at Ch’ang-An, defeat and kill Emperor Wang Mang (33 BC.) and plunge China inot a period of civil unrest. (See 6, 9) 24 In China, the Keng Shih Emperor moves his capital back to Ch’ang-An which leaves him defenseless against his opponents. (See 25) 25 In China, Liu H’Siu (Kuang Wu Ti) (5 B.C.-57A.D.) establishes the Eastern Han Dynasty with the capital at Loyand (The dynasty lasts until 220). 26 In Rome, Emperor Tiberius (42 B.C.-37 A. D.) retires to Capri. 27 Probable date of John’s baptism of Christ. 28 Roman Emperor Tiberius (42 B.C.-37 A. D.) marries Julia Agrippina (The Younger) (15 A.D.-59 A.D.) to Domitius Ahenobarbus (See 49). 29 In Rome Aelius Sejanus (d 31 A.D.), commander of the Praetorian Guard has Tiberius’ wife Agrippina, exiled for plotting against Tiberius. 30 Probable date of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. (See 27) 31 Roman Emperor Tiberius (42 B.C.-37 A. D.) has his chief of the Praetorian Guard Aelius Sejanus (d 31 A.D.) arrested and executed on charges of treason. (See 29) 32 Probable date of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus (Saint Paul) on the road to Damascus. (See 30) 33 In China, Hsiung-Nu tribal forces under Lu Fang (?) defeat Han forces under General Wu Han (?) (By the next year the Han forces have bested the Hsiung-Nu.) 34 Following the death of Zeno, Ruler of Armenia, Artibanus (d 40) King of Parthia installs his son Arsaces on the Armenian throne and challenges the power of Rome. 35 Aulus Cornelius Celsus (?) completes an encyclopedia on medicine, philosophy, and law called 'De Artes.' 36 In China Han forces loyal to Emperor Kuang Wu-Ti (5 B.C.-57 A.D.) defeat forces loyal to rival Kung-Sun-Shu (?) and results in Kuang Wu-Ti becoming Emperor of all China. 37 In Rome Gaius (Caligula) (12-43) begins a bloody six year reign as Roman Emperor after the death of his uncle, Tiberius (42 B.C.) (See 38) 38 In Rome Gaius’ (Caligula) (12-43) sister Drusilla dies and Gaius orders her deified as part of his cult of personality. 39 Roman forces under Emperor Gaius (12-43) attack revolting forces under General Cornelius Gaetulius (?) and suppress a revolt in Gaul. 40 After the Jews destroy an altar dedicated to Gaius (12-43), the Emperor orders the erection of a statute to himself in Jerusalem in celebration of his German victories. (See 38, 70) 41 In Rome Claudius (Tiberius Claudius Drusus) (10 B.C.-54 A.D.) begins a thirteen year reign as Roman Emperor following the assassination of his nephew Gaius (12). 42 Roman Emperor Claudius (10 B.C.-54 A.D.) appoints officials to collect the debts of the treasury, an event which makes a significant step in the imperial takeover of the state treasury. (See 56) 43 Roman forces under (10 B.C.-54 A.D.) land in Britain and found Londinium (London) (See 60, 78, 141, 142) 44 In China General Ma Yuan (d49) after suppressing a revolt in present day Vietnam, presents a bronze horse to Emperor Kuang-Wu-Ti (5 B.C.-57A.D.). (See 57) 45 Following a series of aggressive actions by King Mithridates (d 68) of the Bosprous, Roman forces under Didius Gallus install his brother Cotys as king (Five years later, Mithradates attempts to recover the Rhone but fails). 46 Emperor Claudius (10 B.C.-54 A.D.) orders the annexation of Thrace following the assassination of King Rhoemetalces. 47 Roman forces under Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo (d67) subdue the Fricians after a seventeen year revolt. 48 Emperor Claudius (10 B.C.-54 A.D.) orders his wife Messalina executed as a result of her intrigues with C. Silius. (See 49,50) 49 Emperor Claudius (10 B.C.-54 A.D.) marries his niece Agrippina the Younger (c15-59). (See 48, 50) 50 Emperor Claudius (10 B.C.-54 A.D.) adopts Nero (37-64) Agrippina’s son and ousts his own son by Messalina, Germanicus Britainnicus (41-56) from succession. (See 48, 49)

The accession of Roman Emperor Nero (37-68, R 54-68) brought with it the hope that the Empire would continue to prosper. The early years of his reign saw the fulfilling of the promise but his later excesses caused a general revolt throughout the empire. Nero committed suicide and thus ended the Julio-Caludian dynasty. The civil war that followed Nero’s deth saw the rise and fall of three emperor within a year. The Emperors Galba (5 B.C.-68 A.D.), Otho (32-68), Vitellius (15-69), all succumbed to the power of various armed factions. Vaspasian’s eventual consolidation of power brought with it a return to peacE and a restoration of many of the essential services of the Empire. Vespasian (c 9-79, R 69-79) founded the Flavian Dynasty which lasted until the end of Domitian’s reign in 96. Domitian’s reign was marked by efficient administration of the empire by a leader fearful of conspiracies. His reaction to these fears led to a successful conspiracy which placed Nerva (c30-96, R 96) on the imperial throne. Nerva, even though he ruled for only two years, is known for selecting his successor by adopting Trajan (52-117, R 98-117). During this period, imperial policy secured the borders through defensive measures and alliances with bordering tribes and nations. During the last half of the first century, the new monotheistic religion called Christianity spread throughout the Empire. The religion was spread by the teachings of Paul, Peter, and others. As their numbers grew, so did the reaction of Roman authorities. Domitian launched a severe period of persecution against the new religion. In China, Ming Ti (28-75, R 57-75) and Chang-Ti (d 88, R 75-88) ruled the Eastern Han Dynasty. During the balance of the century Dowager Empress Tou (d 97) and young Emperor Ho-Ti (79-106, R 88-106) ruled China.

51 Roman troops under Ostorius Scapula (d 52) defeat British tribes under Caratacus (?) after nine years of fighting. (See 43) 52 In Rome authorities dedicate the aqueduct “Claudia” which brings water from Tivoli to Rome. 53 In Rome, Claudius Drusus Germanicus Nero (37-68) marries Claudius’ daughter Octavia, further solidifying his claim to succession. (See 49, 50, 54) 54 In Rome the Praetorian Guard announces and the Senate ratifies Claudius Drusus Germanicus Nero (37-68) as Emperor following the poisoning death of his adopted father, Claudius (10 B.C.) (See 49, 50, 53) 55 In Rome, Nero (37-68) poisons his brother-in-law and step brother, Britainicus at an imperial banquet after his mother Agrippina (c15-59) threatens to endorse Britianicus as the rightful heir to Claudius. (See 50) 56 In Rome, Nero (37-68) orders control of the Treasury to be transferred from Senate appointed administrators to imperial administrators. (See 42) 57 In China, Ming Ti (28-75) begins an eighteen year reign as Han Emperor following the death of his father Kuang Wu-Ti (5 B.C.-57A.D.). (See 36, 42) 58 In China the government orders all public schools to offer sacrifices to Confucius. 59 In Rome, Nero (37-68) has his mother Agrippina “the Younger” murdered because he fears her growing power. (See 49, 50, 55) 60 Roman troops under Suetonius Paluinus (dc 71) supress a Iceni revolt in Britain led by Queen Boudicca (d 62). (See 43, 78) 61 Parthian forces under Vologesus I (R 50-77) defeat Roman forces under Caesennius Paetus and compel the Romans to withdraw from Armenia. (See 63) 62 In Rome Nero (37-68) marries Poppaea Sabina (d 65) after divorcing and exiling Octavia. (See 53) 63 Roman General Corbulo (d 67) and Parthian King Vologesus (d 77) negotiate the return of Tiridates as King of Armenia but as a vassal of Rome. (See 61) 64 The Great Fire sweeps Chicago and destroys two-thirds of the city. 65 In Rome, Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 B.C.) and Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (Lucan) (39) die after being implicated in a plot against Nero. 66 In the Middle East, Jewish zealots revolt. (See 67, 73, 134) 67 In Rome Emperor Nero (37-68) dispatches Vaspasian (9-79) to supress the Jewish revolt. (See 66) 68 In Rome Nero (37) commits suicide after troops in Gaul under Lucius Virginias (?) and troops in Spain under Servius Galba (5 B.C.-69 A.D.) revolt. 69 In Rome Titus Falvius Vespasianus (Vespasian) (c 40-81) ends the Roman Civil war which killed Emperors Servius Sulpicius Galba (5 B.C.) Marcus Salvius Otho (32 A.D.) and Aulus Vitellius (15). (See 66,68) 70 Roman forces under Vespasian (c 40-81) capture Jerusalem and destroy the Jewish Temple. (See 66, 67) 71 In Rome, Emperor Vaspasian (c 40-81) names his son, Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus (c 51-96) Praetorian Praefect in order to reduce the Praetorian Guard’s threat to the throne. (See 54) 72 In the Middle East, Roman forces under Caesennius Paetus (?) attack the Kingdom of Commagene in Asia Minor, oust King Antiocus III (?) and annex the king to the Province of Syria. 73 Roman forces under Flavius Silva (?) capture the Jewish Zealot fortress of Masada and 960 defenders, including leader Ben Ya’ir commit suicide. (See 70, 66, 67) 74 Roman forces under Emperor Vaspasian (9-79) invade the area at the source of the Rhine and Danube in order to shorten the distance between two major imperial armies stationed on these rivers. 75 In China, Chang-Ti (d 88) begins a thirteen year reign as Later Han Emperor following the death of his father Ming-Ti (28). (See 67) 76 Roman forces under Domitian (51-96) attack Sarmatian thribesmen who have invaded Moesia. 77 Roman writer and historian Gaius Plinius Secundus (Pliny the Elder (23-79) completes his “Historia Naturalis.” 78 Roman forces under Sextus Julius Frontinus (30-104) defeat the Silures tribe and expand Roman influence into Wales. (See 43, 60, 84) 79 Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus (c 40-81) begins a two year reign as Roman Emperor following the death of his father Vespasian (9). Mt Vesuvius destroys Pompeii and Herculaneum. (See 70, 71) 80 In Rome authorities dedicate the Roman Colosseum. 81 Titus Flavius Domitianus (51-96) (Domitian) begins a fifteen year reign as Roman Emperor following the death of his brother Titus of a fever. (See 76) 82 In China, Emperor Chang-Ti (d 88) replaces Liu Ching (?) as his heir with Ho-Ti (79-106) and ousts the Ma Clan from national importance. (See 75) 83 Roman forces under Domitian (51-96) attack the Chatti tribe near the Rhine River and construct a series of fortifications between the Danube and Rhine to protect the Empire from attack. 84 Roman forces under Gnaeus Julius Agricola (40-93) defeat the Caledonians under Calgacusat (dc 84) at the battle of “Mons Graupius” in Britain. (See 43, 60) 85 Dacian tribes unite under Decabalus (d 105), invade Roman Moesia and force Domitian (51-96) and the Praetorian Guard to march to the Danube. 86 Emperor Domitian (51-96) establishes the “Capitoline Games” to generate interest in literature and poetry and increase his popularity with the Roman public. 87 In China, forces of the Hsien-Pi attack and defeat a force of the Hsiung-Nu and force them south into Han China. (See 91, 92) 88 In China, Ho-Ti (79-106) begins an eighteen year reign as Han Emperor under the regency of Dowager Empress Tou (d 97) and Tou Hsien (d 92). (See 91, 92) 89 Loyal Roman forces under Appius Maximus (d 115) defeat rebellious forces under the Governor of Upper Germany, Antonius Saturninus (?). 90 In an effort to encourage higher morality in Rome, Domitian (51-96) orders Cornelia, Chief Vestal Virgin, buried alive for immorality. 91 In Asia Chinese Emperor Ho-Ti (79-106) names General Pan Ch’ao (32-102) protector of the Tarim Region in Central Asia. (Ch’ao’s forces eventually push Chinese control to the border of Parthia.) 92 In China Chinese Emperor Ho-Ti (79-106) ousts his regents Dowager Empress Tou (d 97) and Tou Hsien (d 92), ejects the Tou clan from power, and assumes control of the government. (See 88, 106) 93 Emperor Domitian (51-96) poisons his potential rival, General Gnaeus Agricola (c 40) (See 84) 94 Jewish writer and historian Flavius Josephus (37-c100) completes “Antiquities of the Jews” which describes Jewish history from the Creation to 66 A.D.. 95 In an effort to intimidate his own family, Domitian (51-96) orders the execution of his cousin Flavius Clemens and has his wife Domitilla exiled on charges possibly related to their Christian sympathies. 96 In Rome Marcus Coccieus Nerva (c30-98) begins a two year reign as Roman Emperor following the assassination of Domitian (51). (See 97, 98) 97 Roman Emperor Nerva (c30-98) initiates the “Alimentary Institution” which is designed to provide assistance to poor parents of children to encourage larger families. 98 Marcus Ulpius Traianus (Trajan) begins a nineteen year reign as Roman Emperor following the death of Nerva (c 30). (See 117) 99 After remaining in Germany for the winter, Emperor Trajan (52-117) returns to Rome where the city welcomes him as Emperor. 100 Emperor Trajan (42-117) orders the construction of the City of Thamugadi in North Africa as a colony for retired veterans (The ruins are some of the most complete in the world.)

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