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.

In the 170s, the 2nd century.

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

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

Births

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

Deaths

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