Directory

180 CE

Emperor Marcus Aurelius dies after a week's illness at his camp in Vindobona (modern Vienna). He is succeeded by his son Commodus (age 18). Twelve Christian inhabitants of Scillium in Numidia are executed in Carthage (also in North Africa) (known as the Scillitan Martyrs) – they had refused to swear an oath to the Emperor. Lake Taupō in New Zealand erupts, forming ash clouds as far as China and Europe.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Cassius Dio arrives in Rome and becomes a Senatorsource

Conflict & Security

  • July 17 – Twelve Christian inhabitants of Scillium in Numidia are executed in Carthage (also in North Africa) (known as the Scillitan Martyrs) – they had refused to swear an oath to the Emperor.source
  • The Quadi are chased westwards, deeper into Germania. The Praetorian prefect, Tarutenius Paternus, achieves a decisive victory against the Germanic tribes.source
  • The Era of the Five Good Emperors ends.source
  • Northern British from beyond Hadrian's Wall invade the North of modern-day England, causing Emperor Commodus to allow swathes of Northern cities to establish city walls.source
  • 180–395 – Late Empire in Rome.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • The Goths reach the banks of the Black Sea.source
  • Rome creates a 4-mile wide buffer zone by the Danube.source

Religion & Belief

  • Commodus creates an official cult of the Zoroastrian god Mithra.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • Work begins in Rome on the building of the Column of Marcus Aurelius.source

Health & Medicine

  • In his Methodus Medendo, Greek physician Galen describes the connection between paralysis and the severing of the spinal cord.source

Climate & Environment

  • Lake Taupō in New Zealand erupts, forming ash clouds as far as China and Europe.source

Culture & Society

  • Galen's popular work on hygiene is published.source

Births

  • Johanan bar Nappaha, Jewish rabbi (d. 279)source
  • Ardashir I, founder of the Sasanian Empire (d. 242)source
  • Julia Soaemias, mother of Elagabalus (d. 222)source
  • Sima Fu, Chinese prince and statesman (d. 272)source

Deaths

  • March 17 – Emperor Marcus Aurelius dies after a week's illness at his camp in Vindobona (modern Vienna). He is succeeded by his son Commodus (age 18).source
  • March 17 – Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor (b. 121)source
  • Aulus Gellius, Roman author and grammarian (b. 125 AD)source
  • Pinytus, bishop of Knossos (approximate date)source
  • Hegesippus, Christian chronicler and writer (b. 110)source
  • Gaius, Roman jurist and writer (approximate date)source
  • Melito of Sardis, bishop of Sardis (approximate date)source
  • Lucian of Samosata, Syrian rhetorician (b. 125 AD)source