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The 80s

84 sourced entries across 10 years, inside the 1st century. Each year below opens its own page; the lines under it are that year’s highest-ranked entries.

80 CE11 entries

  • Martial publishes the Liber Spectaculorum.
  • King Pasa becomes ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla.

81 CE8 entries

  • September 14 – Domitian succeeds his brother Titus as emperor. Domitian is not a soldier like his two predecessors, and his administration is directed towards the reinforcement of a monarchy. By taking the title of Dominus ("lord"), he scandalizes the senatorial aristocracy. Romanisation progresses in the provinces, and life in the cities is greatly improved. Many provincials – Spanish, Gallic, and African – become Senators.
  • Pliny the Younger is flamen Divi Augusti (priest in the cult of the Emperor).
  • The silver content of the Roman denarius rises to 92% under emperor Domitian, up from 81% in the reign of Vitellius.

82 CE7 entries

  • Calgacus unites the Picts (30,000 men) in Scotland, and is made chieftain of the Caledonian Confederacy.
  • Gnaeus Julius Agricola raises a fleet, and encircles the Celtic tribes beyond the Forth; the Caledonians rise in great numbers against the Romans. They attack the camp of Legio IX Hispana at night, but Agricola sends his cavalry in, and puts them to flight.
  • Dio Chrysostom is banished from Rome, Italy, and Bithynia, after advising one of the Emperor's conspiring relatives.

83 CE9 entries

  • Possible date of the Battle of Mons Graupius (AD 83 or 84): According to Tacitus, 10,000 Britons and 360 Romans are killed.
  • Possible date that Demetrius of Tarsus visits an island in the Hebrides populated by holy men, possibly druids.
  • In Rome, the castration of slaves is prohibited.

84 CE9 entries

  • Possible date of the Battle of Mons Graupius (AD 83 or 84), in which Gnaeus Julius Agricola defeats the Caledonians.
  • The construction of the limes, a line of Roman fortifications from the Rhine to the Danube, has begun.
  • Change from Jianchu to Yuanhe era of the Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty.

85 CE9 entries

  • Dacians under Decebalus engage in two wars against the Romans from this year to AD 88 or 89.
  • Domitian appoints himself censor for life, which gives him the right to control the Senate. His totalitarian tendencies put the senatorial aristocracy firmly in opposition to him.
  • Baekje invades the outskirts of Silla in the Korean peninsula. The war continues until the peace treaty of 105.

86 CE8 entries

  • Martial publishes Books I and II of the Epigrams.
  • Ban Gu (Pan Kou) and his sister Ban Zhao (Pan Tchao) compose the History of China.
  • First Battle of Tapae: Roman legions face disaster in Dacia, when Roman general Cornelius Fuscus launches a powerful offensive that becomes a failure. Encircled in the valley of Timi, he dies along with his entire army. Rome must pay tribute to the Dacians in exchange for a vague recognition of Rome's importance.

87 CE6 entries

  • Sextus Julius Sparsus gains power in the Roman Senate (approximate date).
  • The Roman Julius Maternus explores western Africa (approximate date).
  • Decebalus becomes king of Dacia.

88 CE8 entries

  • The First Dacian War ends: Decebalus becomes a client king of Rome, he receives money, craftsmen and war machines to protect the borders (limes) of the Roman Empire.
  • Two Egyptian obelisks are erected in Benevento in front of the Temple of Isis, in honour of Emperor Domitian.
  • Last year (4th) of yuanhe era and start of zhanghe era of the Chinese Eastern Han dynasty.

89 CE9 entries

  • January 1 – Lucius Antonius Saturninus incites a revolt against Emperor Domitian (it is suppressed by January 24).
  • June – Battle of Ikh Bayan: The Han Chinese army under Dou Xian, allied with the southern Xiongnu, is victorious over the Northern Xiongnu.
  • Legio XIII Gemina is transferred to Dacia, to help in the war against King Decebalus.