Directory

170 CE

Emperor Marcus Aurelius writes in Sirmium (Pannonia) his first of 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek. The Costoboci cross the Danube (Dacia) and ravage Thrace in the Balkan Peninsula. They reach Eleusina, near Athens, and destroy the temple of the Eleusinian Mysteries. The Suebian tribes of the Marcomanni cross the Danube and invade Northern Italy. The Roman army (20,000 men) is destroyed near Carnuntum in Pannonia.

Conflict & Security

  • The Suebian tribes of the Marcomanni cross the Danube and invade Northern Italy. The Roman army (20,000 men) is destroyed near Carnuntum in Pannonia.source
  • The Marcomanni plunder Opitergium (modern Oderzo) and besiege Aquileia. This is the first time hostile forces have entered Italy since 101 BC.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • The Costoboci cross the Danube (Dacia) and ravage Thrace in the Balkan Peninsula. They reach Eleusina, near Athens, and destroy the temple of the Eleusinian Mysteries.source

Religion & Belief

  • Emperor Marcus Aurelius writes in Sirmium (Pannonia) his first of 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • The Porta Nigra is built in Augusta Treverorum (modern Trier). (approximate date)source

Health & Medicine

  • Marcus Aurelius orders humane treatment for Christians and slaves throughout the Roman Empire.source

Culture & Society

  • An Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is erected in Rome.source

Births

  • Julia Domna, Roman empress consort (d. 217)source
  • Philostratus, Greek sophist (approximate date)source
  • Pang De, Chinese military general (d. 219)source
  • Herodian, Roman historian and writer (d. 240)source
  • Guo Jia, Chinese politician and adviser (d. 207)source
  • Vibia Aurelia Sabina, Marcus Aurelius' last surviving child (d. 217)source

Deaths

  • Apuleius, Numidian philosopher and writer (b. AD 124)source
  • Ptolemy, Greek mathematician and astronomer (b. AD 100)source
  • Alexander of Abonoteichus, Greek mystic (b. AD 105)source
  • Junius Rusticus, Roman teacher and politician (b. AD 100)source
  • Marcus Cornelius Fronto, Roman grammarian (b. AD 100)source
  • An Shigao, Chinese Buddhist missionary (b. AD 148)source
  • Demonax, Greek philosopher and writer (b. c. AD 70)source