27 BCE
Octavian formally returns full power to the Senate; they give him the titles of Princeps and Augustus. He accepts this honor, having declined the alternative title of Romulus, thus becoming first Roman emperor. Northern statue of the Colossi of Memnon is shattered by an earthquake in Egypt (according to Strabo). Augustus' first census of the Roman Empire (formerly the Roman Republic) reports a total of 4,063,000 citizens.
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
- January 16 – Octavian formally returns full power to the Senate; they give him the titles of Princeps and Augustus. He accepts this honor, having declined the alternative title of Romulus, thus becoming first Roman emperor.source
- Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian becomes Roman Consul for the seventh time. His partner Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa becomes Consul for the third time.source
- Agrippa divides Hispania Ulterior into Baetica and Lusitania, and enlarges Hispania Citerior.source
Conflict & Security
- Caesar Augustus starts a new military reform. He reduces the number of legions to 26 and creates the Praetorian Guard (1,000 men).source
Exploration & Expansion
- Augustus forms the Classis Misenensis, based in the harbor of Portus Julius at Misenum.source
Technology & Infrastructure
- Marcus Agrippa begins the construction of the old Pantheon, Rome.source
Health & Medicine
- Augustus' first census of the Roman Empire (formerly the Roman Republic) reports a total of 4,063,000 citizens.source
Climate & Environment
- Northern statue of the Colossi of Memnon is shattered by an earthquake in Egypt (according to Strabo).source
Births
- Ai of Han, Chinese emperor of the Han Dynasty (d. 1 BC)source
Deaths
- Marcus Terentius Varro, Roman scholar and writer (b. 116 BC)source