96 CE

Emperor Domitian is stabbed to death by a freedman at the age 44 after a 15-year reign, in a palace conspiracy involving officers of the Praetorian Guard. The Flavian Dynasty ends. Nerva is declared emperor by the Roman Senate as the new ruler of the Roman Empire. He recalls citizens exiled by Domitian; this is the beginning of the Era of the Five Good Emperors. The Antonines Dynasty starts. A schism in Buddhism creates a new, popular religion in India, Mahâyâna ("Great Vehicle").

In the 90s, the 1st century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Nerva is declared emperor by the Roman Senate as the new ruler of the Roman Empire. He recalls citizens exiled by Domitian; this is the beginning of the Era of the Five Good Emperors. The Antonines Dynasty starts.source
  • Marcus Ulpius Traianus becomes governor of Upper Germany.source

Conflict & Security

  • September 18 – Emperor Domitian is stabbed to death by a freedman at the age 44 after a 15-year reign, in a palace conspiracy involving officers of the Praetorian Guard. The Flavian Dynasty ends.source
  • End of the period covered by Tacitus in his Histories.source

Religion & Belief

  • The Book of Revelation is written (approximate date).source
  • A schism in Buddhism creates a new, popular religion in India, Mahâyâna ("Great Vehicle").source

Culture & Society

  • The Arch of Titus is completed in Rome.source

Births

  • Lucius Minicius Natalis Quadronius Verus, Roman statesmansource

Deaths

  • September 18 – Domitian, Roman emperor (born AD 51)source
  • Publius Papinius Statius, Roman poet (approximate date)source
  • Gaius Manlius Valens, Roman senator and consul (born AD 6)source