Conflict & Security in the 2nd century

164 sourced entries, 100 CE to 199 CE, oldest first. Also see Conflict & Security across every century or everything else in the 2nd century.

• 100The Imperial Roman army reaches 300,000 soldiers.source
• 101Third Battle of Tapae: Roman forces, led by Trajan, defeat the Dacian king Decebalus in Transylvania.source
• 102Emperor Trajan returns to Rome after a successful campaign against Dacia, through which he reestablishes clear Roman sovereignty over King Decebalus.source
• 103Legio X Gemina moves to Vienna, where it remains until the 5th century.source
• 105The Romans conquer Kerak from the Nabateans.source
• 105Legio XXX Ulpia Victrix and II Traiana Fortis are created by Trajan.source
• 106Trajan annexes the Nabataean Kingdom (with its capital Petra) as the Roman province of Arabia Petraea. The epoch of the calendar of the province of Arabia begins on March 22.source
• 106Emperor Trajan conquers the Dacian Fortresses of the Orăştie Mountains, and surrounds the capital, Sarmizegetusa.source
• 106Battle of Sarmizegetusa: The Dacians are defeated with 50,000 captured. King Decebalus flees and commits suicide.source
• 107Liu Hu becomes Emperor An of Han.source
• 112Hadrian succeeds Gaius Julius Cassius Steirieus as archon of Athens.source
• 113Last (7th) year of Yongchu era of the Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty.source
• 114Emperor Trajan defeats the Parthians and overruns Armenia and northern Mesopotamia.source
• 114The kingdom of Osroene becomes a vassal kingdom of the Roman Empire.source
• 115Trajan captures the Parthian capital of Ctesiphon.source
• 115A revolt breaks out in Britain; the garrison at Eboracum (York) is massacred.source
• 115Emperor Trajan is cut off in southern Mesopotamia after his invasion of that region.source
• 115Alexandria in Egypt is damaged during the Jewish-Greek civil wars. Marcus Rutilius Lupus, the Roman governor, sends Legio XXII Deiotariana to protect the inhabitants of Memphis.source
• 116Quintus Marcius Turbo sails to Alexandria and defeats Jewish insurgents in several pitched battles.source
• 116Emperor Trajan completes his invasion of Parthia by capturing the cities of Seleucia, Babylon, Ctesiphon and Susa, marking the high-water mark of the Roman Empire's eastern expansion.source
• 116In summer, rebellious movement emerges in Mesopotamia against Roman occupation. General Lusius Quietus is sent by Trajan to suppress the uprisings, recovering Nisibis, besieging and sacking Edessa, and waging war against local Jewssource
• 116Trajan sends two expeditionary forces. One, consisting of elements of Legio III Cyrenaica, to suppress the revolt in Judea and the other Legio VII Claudia to restore order on Cyprus.source
• 116Trajan makes Syria a province of Rome and crosses the Tigris to annex Adiabene. He proceeds with his army to the Persian Gulf and conquers territory that becomes the province of Parthia.source
• 117The Jewish Diaspora Revolt is quelled, likely by autumn 117, though unrest may have persisted in Egypt until early 118. Its suppression results in the near-complete expulsion of Jews from Cyrenaica, Cyprus, and several regions of Egypt.source
• 118Plot of the consuls: Hadrian executes four senators, all former consuls, who had been shown to have plotted against him. His relations with the Senate are strained.source
• 118The north-south feud between the Hun Dynasty ends.source
• 118118–128 – Battle of Centaurs and Wild Beasts, from Hadrian's Villa, Tivoli, Italy, is made (approximate date). It may be a copy of a painting done by the late 5th century BC Greek artist Zeuxis. It is now kept at Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Antikensammlung.source
• 119Reign in Northern India by Nahapana, Scythian king. He attacks the kingdom of Andhra and annexes Southern Rajputana.source
• 119Emperor Hadrian stations Legio VI Victrix in Roman Britain, to assist in quelling the resistance of a local rebellion. The legion is key in securing the victory, and eventually replaces Legio IX Hispana at Eboracum.source
• 120Emperor Hadrian visits Britain.source
• 120The Scythians dominate western India: Punjab, Sind, the north of Gujarat and a portion of central India.source
• 120Change of era name from Yuanchu (7th year) to Yongning of the Chinese Eastern Han dynasty.source
• 122Hadrian gives up the territories conquered in Scotland.source
• 123Hadrian leads a punitive campaign against Berbers who had been raiding Roman towns in Roman Mauretania.source
• 124In northern India, Nahapana, ruler of the Scythians, is defeated and dies in battle while fighting against King Gautamiputra Satakarni. This defeat destroys the Scythian dynasty of the Western Kshatrapas.source
• 125Change of emperor of the Chinese Han dynasty from Han Andi to Marquis of Beixiang, then to Han Shundi.source
• 125Last (4th) year of the Yanguang era of the Chinese Han dynasty.source
• 128King Gaeru of Baekje succeeds to the throne of Baekje in the Korean peninsula (until 166).source
• 128Hadrian's Wall is completed in Britain. Built mostly of stone in the east and with a wooden palisade in the west. They construct at least 16 forts, with about 15,000 legionaries digging ditches, quarrying rock and cutting stone, preventing idleness which led to unrest and rebellions in the ranks.source
• 129A defense for Numidia is constructed at Lambaesis by Legio III Augusta.source
• 130Huviska becomes king of the Kushan Empire in India.source
• 132Bar Kokhba revolt: The messianic, charismatic Jewish leader Simon bar Kokhba starts a war of liberation for Judea against the Romans, which is eventually crushed (in 135) by Emperor Hadrian; Rabbi Akiva is supportive of the rebellion.source
• 132Change of era name from Yongjian (7th year) to Yangjia of the Chinese Han dynasty.source
• 132Legio X Fretensis must evacuate Jerusalem, returning to Caesarea. The Jews enter the city, and re-establish their system of sacrifices. They strike coins to celebrate their independence, which will last for only 30 months. Legio XXII Deiotariana, which advanced from Egypt, is completely destroyed.source
• 134The Romans retake Jerusalem. The largely-destroyed city is renamed Aelia Capitolina.source
• 134Arrianus, Roman governor of Cappadocia, repulses an attack of the Alani, a nomadic tribe from southeastern Russia.source
• 134Summer – Sextus Julius Severus, Roman governor of Judea, begins a campaign against the Jewish rebel strongholds in the mountains.source
• 135Last (4th) year of Yangjia era of the Chinese Han Dynasty.source
• 135Alans threaten Cappadocia; they are repulsed by Arrian.source
• 135A Jewish diaspora begins, as Emperor Hadrian bars Jews from Jerusalem, and has survivors of the massacre dispersed across the Roman Empire. Many join Mediterranean ports.source
• 136The war against the Suebi begins.source
• 137In Jiaozhi (present-day northern Vietnam) during the Second Era of Northern Domination, a rebellion of the Cham people broke out and lasted for one year, until the peace agreement was made between the Han dynasty governors and the rebels in 138.source
• 138In Jiaozhi (present-day northern Vietnam), during the Second Era of Northern Domination, a peace agreement was made between the Han governor and the Cham rebels following their uprising in 137. Historical records do not clarify the terms of the agreement.source
• 140Antoninus Pius recognizes the king of the Quadi, who becomes an ally of Rome.source
• 141Last (6th) year of Yonghe era of the Chinese Han Dynasty.source
• 143A revolt of the Brigantes tribe in Britannia is suppressed by Quintus Lollius Urbicus.source
• 144In Vietnam during the second Era of Northern Domination, rebellion of Cham people broke out in Jiaozhi and Jiuzhen. The rebels then surrendered to the Jiaozhi's governor in the same year.source
• 145Arrian becomes archon in Athens.source
• 146Han Huandi succeeds Han Zhidi as emperor of the Chinese Han dynasty.source
• 146Change of era name from Yongxi (1st year) to Benchu era of the Chinese Han dynasty.source
• 147King Vologases IV, son of Mithridates V of Parthia, unites the Parthian Empire under his rule.source
• 152The Chinese domination of the Tarim Basin weakens.source
• 153Minor uprisings occur in Roman Egypt against Roman rule.source
• 153Change of era name from Yuanjia (3rd year) to Yongxing of the Chinese Han Dynasty.source
• 154King Eupator of Bosphorus pays tribute to Rome, due to the threat posed by the Alani.source
• 154Last (2nd) year of Yongxing era of the Chinese Han Dynasty.source
• 157A revolt against Roman rule begins in Dacia.source
• 157In Jiuzhen (modern day Northern Vietnam), during the second Era of Northern Domination, a rebellion led by Chu Đạt breaks out and lasts for two to three years, until it is quelled by the Han Dynasty, under emperor Huan.source
• 158A revolt against Roman rule in Dacia is crushed.source
• 160In Jiuzhen (modern day Northern Vietnam) during the second Era of Northern Domination, a rebellion broke out but was swiftly quelled when the rebels surrendered to the newly appointed governor of Jiaozhi, who had previously governed the commandery in the 140s.source
• 161Autumn – The Parthians invade Armenia, and install their own candidate on the throne. A legion (perhaps Legio IX Hispana) is destroyed at Elegeia.source
• 162Lucius Verus begins a war with the Parthians, due to the invasion of Syria and Armenia by King Vologases IV of Parthia.source
• 163Marcus Statius Priscus re-conquers Armenia; the capital city of Artaxata is ruined.source
• 164Avidius Cassius, one of Lucius Verus' generals, crosses the Euphrates and invades Parthia.source
• 164Ctesiphon is captured by the Romans, but returns to the Parthians after the end of the war.source
• 165Legio II Italica is levied by Emperor Marcus Aurelius.source
• 166Dacia is invaded by barbarians.source
• 166King Chogo of Baekje succeeds to the throne of Baekje, in the Korean peninsula.source
• 166End of the war with Parthia: The Parthians leave Armenia and eastern Mesopotamia, which both become Roman protectorates.source
• 166The Lombards invade Pannonia (modern Hungary). They are quickly dispatched by the Roman Army.source
• 167The Marcomanni tribe wages war against the Romans at Aquileia. They destroy aqueducts and irrigation conduits. Marcus Aurelius repels the invaders, ending the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) that has kept the Roman Empire free of conflict since the days of Emperor Augustus.source
• 167The Vandals (Astingi and Lacringi) and the Sarmatian Iazyges invade Dacia. To counter them, Legio V Macedonica, returning from the Parthian War, moves its headquarters from Troesmis in Moesia Inferior to Potaissa in Dacia Porolissensis.source
• 167King Chogo of Baekje wages war against Silla in the Korean peninsula.source
• 168The Roman army crosses the Alps into Pannonia, and subdues the Marcomanni at Carnuntum, north of the Danube.source
• 169Marcomannic Wars: Germanic tribes invade the frontiers of the Roman Empire, specifically the provinces of Raetia and Moesia.source
• 169Northern African Moors invade what is now Spain.source
• 169Confucian scholars who had denounced the court eunuchs are arrested, killed or banished from the capital of Luoyang and official life during the second episode of the Disasters of Partisan Prohibitions, which does not formally end until 184 with the onslaught of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.source
• 170The Suebian tribes of the Marcomanni cross the Danube and invade Northern Italy. The Roman army (20,000 men) is destroyed near Carnuntum in Pannonia.source
• 170The Marcomanni plunder Opitergium (modern Oderzo) and besiege Aquileia. This is the first time hostile forces have entered Italy since 101 BC.source
• 172Miracle in Moravia: As the Roman army is encircled by the Quadi under intense heat, a violent thunderstorm sweeps away the Quadi in a torrent of water and mud, and refreshes the parched legionaries.source
• 172Avidius Cassius, governor of Syria, suppresses an agrarian revolt in Egypt and is made supreme commander of the Roman army in the East.source
• 172Last (5th) year of Jianning era and start of Xiping era of the Chinese Han dynasty.source
• 172Battle of Jwawon: Goguryeo Prime Minister Myeongnim Dap-bu defeats the Chinese Han dynasty forces in Manchuria.source
• 172The Sarmatians attack the lower Danube frontier.source
• 172The Bucolic War broke out in Egypt. The Egyptians, led by Isidorus, fought against the Roman Empire under Marcus Aurelius.source
• 173Given control of the Eastern Empire, Avidius Cassius, the governor of Syria, crushes an insurrection of shepherds known as the Boukoloi.source
• 174Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is written, in Greek, while on military campaigns in Pannonia (approximate date).source
• 175Confucian scholars try to ensure their capacity in the royal court of China. They are massacred by the eunuchs.source
• 175Avidius Cassius fails in seeking support for his rebellion and is assassinated by Roman officers. They sent his head to Aurelius, who persuades the Senate to pardon Cassius's family.source
• 175Marcus Aurelius suppresses a revolt of Avidius Cassius, governor of Syria, after the latter proclaims himself emperor.source
• 175The end of the Bucolic War in Egypt.source
• 176December 23 – Marcus Aurelius and Commodus enter Rome after a campaign north of the Alps, and receive a triumph for their victories over the Germanic tribes.source
• 177Second Marcomannic War: Marcus Aurelius and Commodus begin war against the Quadi and the Marcomanni.source
• 177A systematic persecution of Christians begins in Rome; the followers take refuge in the catacombs.source
• 177Chinese troops suffer a crushing defeat against a confederacy of Central Asian tribes, led by the Xianbei (see Wu Hu).source
• 178In Hepu and Jiaozhi (modern day Northern Vietnam) during the second Era of Northern Domination, a rebellion led Liang Long broke out and last for three years until it was quelled by general Zhu Jun of the Han dynasty.source
• 178Last (7th) year of Xiping era and start of Guanghe era of the Chinese Han dynasty.source
• 178In India, the decline of the Kushan Empire begins. The Sassanides take over Central Asia.source
• 179Gogukcheon succeeds his father Shindae as King of Goguryeo.source
• 179Abgar IX the Great becomes King of Edessa.source
• 180July 17 – Twelve Christian inhabitants of Scillium in Numidia are executed in Carthage (also in North Africa) (known as the Scillitan Martyrs) – they had refused to swear an oath to the Emperor.source
• 180The Quadi are chased westwards, deeper into Germania. The Praetorian prefect, Tarutenius Paternus, achieves a decisive victory against the Germanic tribes.source
• 180The Era of the Five Good Emperors ends.source
• 180Northern British from beyond Hadrian's Wall invade the North of modern-day England, causing Emperor Commodus to allow swathes of Northern cities to establish city walls.source
• 180180–395 – Late Empire in Rome.source
• 181June: Liang Long is captured and beheaded, and his rebellion is suppressed by general Zhu Juan.source
• 181Nanhai inspector Kong Zhi led thousands of residents to join Liang Long's rebellion against the Han dynasty.source
• 182Emperor Commodus escapes death at the hands of assassins, who have attacked him at the instigation of his sister Lucilla and a large group of senators. He puts many distinguished Romans to death on charges of being implicated in the conspiracy; Lucilla is exiled to Capri.source
• 183In Jiaozhi (present-day northern Vietnam), during the Second Era of Northern Domination, the local army launches a coup, captures the governor, and subsequently executes him. After the coup, Emperor Ling appoints a new Jiaozhi governor, who brings peace to the region, and is praised by the residents.source
• 184June – Ling of Han places his brother-in-law, He Jin, in command of the imperial army and sends them to attack the Yellow Turban rebels.source
• 184Zhang Jue leads the peasant revolt against Emperor Ling of Han of the Eastern Han dynasty. Heading for the capital of Luoyang, his massive and undisciplined army (360,000 men), burns and destroys government offices and outposts.source
• 184King Gogukcheon (Gaonanwu) of Goguryeo (Gaogouli) pushes Chinese armies back to Liaodong.source
• 184Last (6th) year of Guanghe era and the start of Zhongping era of the Eastern Han dynasty.source
• 184The Yellow Turban Rebellion and Liang Province Rebellion break out in China.source
• 184Beolhyu becomes king of Silla.source
• 185February – The rebels of the Yellow Turban are defeated by the imperial army, but only two months later, the rebellion breaks out again. It spreads to the Taihang Mountains on the western border of Hebei Province.source
• 185Publius Helvius Pertinax is made governor of Britain and quells a mutiny of the British Roman legions who wanted him to become emperor. The disgruntled usurpers go on to attempt to assassinate the governor.source
• 186Roman governor Pertinax escapes an assassination attempt, by British usurpers.source
• 186Peasants in Gaul stage an anti-tax uprising under Maternus.source
• 187Clodius Albinus defeats the Chatti, a highly organized German tribe that controlled the area that includes the Black Forest.source
• 188Queen Himiko (or Shingi Waō) begins her reign in Japan (until 248).source
• 189Two thousand eunuchs in the palace are slaughtered in a violent purge in Luoyang, the capital of Han.source
• 190Osroes II, controlling Media, claims the throne of the Parthian Empire. King Vologases IV of Parthia puts down the rebellion and restores order.source
• 190The Campaign against Dong Zhuo begins. During the Battle of Xingyang, Cao Cao's army is defeated by Dong Zhuo.source
• 191A coalition of Chinese warlords from the east of Hangu Pass launches a punitive campaign against the warlord Dong Zhuo, who seized control of the central government in 189, and held the figurehead Emperor Xian hostage. After suffering some defeats against the coalition forces, Dong Zhuo forcefully relocates the imperial capital from Luoyang to Chang'an. Before leaving, Dong Zhuo orders his troops to loot the tombs of the Han emperors, and then destroy Luoyang by fire, to leave behind nothing for the coalition.source
• 191Battle of Jieqiao: Yuan Shao narrowly defeats Gongsun Zan, in northern China.source
• 192May 22 – Lü Bu assassinates warlord Dong Zhuo, who has controlled the central government of the Han Dynasty (since 189).source
• 192December 31 – Emperor Commodus alarms the Senate, by appearing dressed as a gladiator for his new consulship on January 1. His mistress Marcia finds her name on the imperial execution list, and hires champion wrestler Narcissus to assassinate Commodus; the Antonines Dynasty ends.source
• 192Barbarians strike the city of Rome during the Civil War on August 22. 45 die.source
• 192The kingdom of Champa begins to control south and central Vietnam (approximate date).source
• 192Civil war again strikes Ancient Rome (192–193).source
• 193March 28 – Pertinax is assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard, who storm the imperial palace. The Empire is auctioned off; Marcus Didius Julianus the highest bidder, offers 300 million sesterces for the throne. Roman governors Clodius Albinus (Britannia) and Pescennius Niger (Syria) claim, with support of their troops, the imperial throne.source
• 193June 1 – Septimius Severus enters the capital, and has Julianus put to death. He replaces the Praetorian Guard with a 15,000-man force from the Danubian legions, and gains control of the Roman Empire, beginning the Severan dynasty.source
• 193Last (4th) year of Chuping era of the Chinese Han dynasty.source
• 193Battle of Cyzicus and Battle of Nicaea (Asia Minor): Septimius Severus defeats the army under Pescennius.source
• 194Battle of Issus: Septimius Severus marches with his army (12 legions) to Cilicia, and defeats Pescennius Niger, Roman governor of Syria. Pescennius retreats to Antioch, and is executed by Severus' troops.source
• 194Septimius Severus besieges Byzantium (194–196); the city walls suffer extensive damage.source
• 194Battle of Yan Province: Warlords Cao Cao and Lü Bu fight for control over Yan Province; the battle lasts for over 100 days.source
• 195The Roman province of Syria is divided and the role of Antioch is diminished. The Romans annex the Syrian cities of Edessa and Nisibis. Severus re-establishes his headquarters and the colonies there.source
• 195King Vologases V and other eastern princes support the claims of Pescennius Niger. The Roman province of Mesopotamia rises in revolt with Parthian support. Severus marches to Mesopotamia to battle the Parthians.source
• 195Last (2nd) year of the Xingping era during the Han Dynasty.source
• 195Clodius Albinus, who had been proclaimed emperor in Britain, crosses into Gaul with his legions, while at the same time recruiting new soldiers. He is soon the head of an army of 150,000 men, according to Cassius Dio. Severus, still in Mesopotamia, hastily returns to Rome.source
• 196Emperor Septimius Severus attempts to assassinate Clodius Albinus but fails, causing Albinus to retaliate militarily.source
• 196The Xian Emperor returns to war-ravaged Luoyang and seeks the protection of warlord Cao Cao. He is advised to move the capital to Xuchang; the emperor becomes a pawn in the hands of the Chinese warlords.source
• 196Emperor Septimius Severus captures and sacks Byzantium; the city is rebuilt and regains its previous prosperity.source
• 197February 19 – Battle of Lugdunum: Emperor Septimius Severus defeats the self-proclaimed emperor Clodius Albinus at Lugdunum (modern Lyon). Albinus commits suicide; legionaries sack the town.source
• 197Battle of Wancheng: Zhang Xiu launches a surprise attack at Cao Cao.source
• 197Yuan Shu declares himself emperor of the short-lived Zhong dynasty.source
• 197Legio I, II, and III Parthica are levied by Septimius Severus for his Parthian campaign.source
• 197The Roman army marches east to repel a Parthian invasion of Mesopotamia; they loot the royal palace at Ctesiphon and capture an enormous number of its inhabitants as slaves.source
• 198Winter – Battle of Xiapi: The allied armies led by Cao Cao and Liu Bei defeat Lü Bu; afterward Cao Cao has him executed.source
• 199Battle of Yijing: Chinese warlord Yuan Shao defeats Gongsun Zan.source
• 199Emperor Septimius Severus lays siege to the city-state Hatra in Central-Mesopotamia, but fails to capture the city despite breaching the walls.source
• 199Two new legions, I Parthica and III Parthica, are formed as a permanent garrison.source