79 CE

Emperor Vespasian dies of fever from diarrhea; his last words on his deathbed are: "I think I'm turning into a god." Titus succeeds his father as Roman emperor. Titus' Jewish mistress, Berenice, comes to join him in Rome, but he exiles her to please the Senate. Or c. October 24 – Eruption of Mount Vesuvius: Mount Vesuvius erupts, destroying Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae and Oplontis. The Roman navy (based at Misenum), commanded by Pliny the Elder, evacuates refugees. Pliny dies after inhaling volcanic fumes. Chester is founded as a castrum or Roman fort with the name Deva Victrix. The fortress is built by Legio II Adiutrix and contains barracks, granaries, military baths and headquarters.

In the 70s, the 1st century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Agricola enters Caledonia (modern-day Scotland) but is resisted by the natives.source
  • Vespasianus Augustus and Titus Caesar Vespasianus become Roman Consuls.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Mamucium (the first Manchester) is founded as a frontier fort and settlement in the North West of England, a distance to the north of Chester.source

Religion & Belief

  • Chester is founded as a castrum or Roman fort with the name Deva Victrix. The fortress is built by Legio II Adiutrix and contains barracks, granaries, military baths and headquarters.source
  • A commission of scholars canonizes the text of works of Confucius and his school.source

Climate & Environment

  • August 24 or c. October 24 – Eruption of Mount Vesuvius: Mount Vesuvius erupts, destroying Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae and Oplontis. The Roman navy (based at Misenum), commanded by Pliny the Elder, evacuates refugees. Pliny dies after inhaling volcanic fumes.source

Births

  • Ma Rong, Chinese poet and politician (died 166)source
  • He of Han, Chinese emperor (died 106)source

Deaths

  • June 23 – Emperor Vespasian dies of fever from diarrhea; his last words on his deathbed are: "I think I'm turning into a god." Titus succeeds his father as Roman emperor. Titus' Jewish mistress, Berenice, comes to join him in Rome, but he exiles her to please the Senate.source
  • June 24 – Vespasian, Roman emperor (born AD 9)source
  • August 16 – Ma, Chinese empress of the Han Dynasty (born AD 40)source
  • August 25 – Pliny the Elder, Roman writer and scientist (born AD 23)source
  • August 25 – Caesius Bassus, Roman poet (died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius)source
  • August 25 – Drusilla, daughter of Herod (died in the eruption of Vesuvius)source
  • Titus Clodius Eprius Marcellus, Roman politician (committed suicide)source
  • Aulus Caecina Alienus, Roman general and politician (executed)source
  • Tiberius Claudius Balbilus, Roman politician and astrologer (born AD 3)source
  • Apollinaris of Ravenna, Syrian bishop and martyr (approximate date)source