41 CE

Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel despotism, is assassinated by his disgruntled Praetorian Guards. Emperor Guang Wu of the Han Dynasty deposes his wife, Guo Shengtong, as empress, and makes his consort Yin Lihua empress in her place. Claudius restores religious freedom to Jews throughout the empire, but prohibits Jews in Rome from proselytising.

In the 40s, the 1st century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • January 25 – After a night of negotiation, Claudius is accepted as emperor by the Senate.source
  • Claudius makes Agrippa king of Judea.source
  • Emperor Guang Wu of the Han Dynasty deposes his wife, Guo Shengtong, as empress, and makes his consort Yin Lihua empress in her place.source
  • Messalina, wife of Claudius, persuades Claudius to have Seneca the Younger banished to Corsica on a charge of adultery with Julia Livilla.source

Conflict & Security

  • An attack across the Rhine by the Germans is stopped by the Romans.source

Religion & Belief

  • January 24 – Claudius succeeds his nephew, Caligula, as emperor.source
  • Claudius restores religious freedom to Jews throughout the empire, but prohibits Jews in Rome from proselytising.source

Births

  • February 12 – Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, son of Claudius (died AD 55)source

Deaths

  • January 24 – Caligula, Roman emperor (assassinated) (born 12 AD)source
  • January 24 – Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel despotism, is assassinated by his disgruntled Praetorian Guards.source
  • January 24 – Julia Drusilla, daughter of Caligula (assassinated) (born 39 AD)source
  • January 24 – Milonia Caesonia, wife of Caligula (assassinated) (born 6 AD)source
  • Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, Roman consul (born 17 BC)source
  • Julia Livilla, daughter of Germanicus (starved to death) (born 18 AD)source
  • Asprenas Calpurnius Serranus, Roman politiciansource