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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 CE8 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.
  • Emperor Domitian recalls Agricola back to Rome, where he is rewarded with a triumph and the governorship of the Roman province of Africa, but he declines it.

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 CE9 entries

  • Emperor Han Zhangdi dies at age 31 after a 13-year reign in which Chinese military forces have become powerful enough to march against tribes who threaten their northern and western borders. Having used intrigue as well as armed might to achieve his ends, Zhangdi and his General Ban Chao have reestablished Chinese influence in Inner Asia, but court eunuchs have increased their power during the emperor's reign. Zhangdi is succeeded by his 9-year-old son Zhao, who will reign until 105 as emperor Han Hedi, but he will be a virtual pawn of Empress Dou (adoptive mother) and scheming courtiers who will effectively rule the Chinese 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.