100s (13 events)
100
ID: 4108
Death of St. John the Apostle at Ephesus - last surviving apostle dies naturally of old age, beloved disciple
ID: 4108
100
ID: 4823
Justin Martyr born in Flavia Neapolis - future philosopher and apologist, defender of Old Testament as Christian scripture
ID: 4823
100
ID: 4894
Cerinthus the Gnostic - John the Apostle fled bathhouse to avoid him, taught Jesus and Christ were separate
ID: 4894
100
ID: 5346
Mining technology innovations - Romans perfect water-powered ore crushing, advanced ventilation, and deep shaft mining
ID: 5346
100
ID: 5440
Spanish wine dominates trade - Tarraconensis wine shipped throughout empire, Spanish amphorae found from Britain to Egypt
ID: 5440
100
ID: 5775
Romans catalog 37 apple varieties - Apicius includes apple recipes, Romans spread apples across empire
ID: 5775
100
ID: 5956
Mithraism peaks in legions - seven grades of initiation (Raven to Father), underground temples (mithraea), bull sacrifice, cosmic mysteries
ID: 5956
105
ID: 4706
Cai Lun invents paper - court eunuch creates paper from bark, hemp, rags
ID: 4706
106
ID: 4013
Trajan conquers Dacia - adds wealthy province, celebrates with 123-day games, Trajan's Column erected
ID: 4013
106
ID: 5331
Trajan conquers Dacia for gold - captures Roșia Montană mines, 165,500 kg of gold funds Forum and Column
ID: 5331
107
ID: 4109
St. Simeon of Jerusalem martyred at 120 - successor of James the Just, crucified under Trajan after long torture
ID: 4109
108
ID: 3803
St. Ignatius of Antioch martyred - writes seven letters on way to Rome, eaten by lions in Colosseum, defends episcopal authority
ID: 3803
108
ID: 3840
St. Alexander I becomes sixth pope - introduces holy water and mixing water with wine at Mass
ID: 3840
110s (12 events)
110
ID: 4130
Pliny writes to Trajan about Christians - governor asks how to handle Christians, Trajan says don't seek them out but punish if accused
ID: 4130
110
ID: 5755
Emperor Trajan's Canal connects Nile to Red Sea - 'River of Trajan' enables Roman-Indian Ocean trade for two centuries
ID: 5755
112
ID: 4131
Emperor Trajan's rescript on Christians - establishes legal precedent: Christians not to be hunted but punished if denounced and refuse to recant
ID: 4131
115
ID: 4110
St. Alexander I martyred - sixth pope, beheaded along with priests Eventius and Theodulus on Via Nomentana
ID: 4110
115
ID: 4668
Trajan captures Ctesiphon - Rome briefly holds Parthian capital, but cannot maintain
ID: 4668
115
ID: 4824
Kitos War (Diaspora Revolt) - Jewish rebellions in Cyprus, Cyrenaica, Egypt, Mesopotamia against Rome, massive casualties
ID: 4824
116
ID: 4014
Roman Empire reaches maximum extent - Trajan conquers Mesopotamia, but overextended
ID: 4014
117
ID: 3841
St. Sixtus I becomes seventh pope - deals with Easter date controversy, martyred under Hadrian
ID: 3841
117
ID: 4015
Death of Trajan - dies of stroke in Cilicia, wife Plotina announces Hadrian as successor
ID: 4015
117
ID: 4016
Hadrian becomes emperor - Trajan's cousin, abandons conquests, focuses on consolidation
ID: 4016
117
ID: 4132
Gospel of John completed - last canonical gospel written, emphasis on Christ's divinity, written in Ephesus
ID: 4132
118
ID: 4160
St. Eustace (Placidus) martyred with family - Roman general, converted after seeing crucifix between stag's antlers, roasted in bronze bull
ID: 4160
120s (7 events)
120
ID: 5349
Deep mining at Roșia Montană - galleries reach 100+ meters depth, wax tablets preserve miner contracts and slave sales
ID: 5349
120
ID: 5441
Rhine wine production established - Roman legions plant vineyards along Rhine, beginning of German wine tradition
ID: 5441
122
ID: 2528
Hadrian's Wall construction begins - 73-mile wall from Wallsend to Bowness, marks permanent northern frontier of Roman Britain
ID: 2528
122
ID: 4017
Hadrian's Wall begun - visits Britain, orders 73-mile wall across northern England
ID: 4017
125
ID: 4111
St. Sixtus I martyred - seventh pope, buried near St. Peter in Vatican, died during Hadrian's reign
ID: 4111
125
ID: 5913
Hadrian receives prophecy - asks about his future, told he'll reach greatest power, oracle at height of 2nd century revival
ID: 5913
127
ID: 3842
St. Telesphorus becomes eighth pope - institutes midnight Mass at Christmas, adds Gloria to Mass
ID: 3842
130s (21 events)
130
ID: 4018
Death of Antinous - Hadrian's beloved drowns in Nile, emperor deifies him, founds city
ID: 4018
130
ID: 4133
Epistle of Barnabas written - early Christian writing using allegory, nearly included in biblical canon
ID: 4133
130
ID: 4825
Justin Martyr converts to Christianity - after studying Stoicism, Aristotelianism, Pythagoreanism, and Platonism
ID: 4825
130
ID: 4826
Aquila's Greek translation - Student of Rabbi Akiva creates hyper-literal Greek translation to replace Septuagint for Jews
ID: 4826
130
ID: 4869
Aquila the Proselyte's motivations - Convert to Judaism creates translation after Christians use LXX prophecies effectively
ID: 4869
130
ID: 4891
Basilides teaches in Alexandria - Claims secret tradition from apostle Matthias, 365 heavens, docetic Christology
ID: 4891
130
ID: 4988
Birth of St. Irenaeus in Smyrna - future Doctor of the Church and defender against Gnosticism
ID: 4988
130
ID: 5356
Slave children in Spanish mines - boys as young as 7 carry ore baskets, life expectancy under 25 years, no daylight for months
ID: 5356
130
ID: 5442
British wine attempts fail - despite repeated attempts, climate prevents successful viticulture, Britain remains import-dependent
ID: 5442
132
ID: 4019
Bar Kokhba revolt begins - Hadrian's plan to rebuild Jerusalem as pagan city triggers massive Jewish revolt
ID: 4019
132
ID: 4827
Bar Kokhba declares himself Messiah - Rabbi Akiva endorses him, Christians refuse to join rebellion
ID: 4827
135
ID: 4134
Bar Kokhba revolt crushed - Jerusalem renamed Aelia Capitolina, Jews banned from city, Judea renamed Syria Palaestina
ID: 4134
135
ID: 4828
Bar Kokhba revolt crushed - Jerusalem renamed Aelia Capitolina, Jews banned, final Jewish-Christian split
ID: 4828
135
ID: 4851
Sanhedrin relocates to Galilee - After Bar Kokhba defeat, rabbinic center moves to Usha, then Tiberias
ID: 4851
135
ID: 4892
Carpocratian Gnosticism - Antinomian sect, taught reincarnation until experiencing all things, libertine practices
ID: 4892
135
ID: 5802
Romans rename Judea to Syria Palaestina - after Bar Kokhba revolt, name derived from ancient Philistines to erase Jewish connection
ID: 5802
137
ID: 4112
St. Telesphorus martyred - eighth pope, only 2nd-century pope whose martyrdom is historically certain, died under Hadrian
ID: 4112
138
ID: 3843
St. Hyginus becomes ninth pope - establishes clerical ranks and orders, combats Gnosticism
ID: 3843
138
ID: 4020
Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius - on condition Antoninus adopts Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus
ID: 4020
138
ID: 4021
Death of Hadrian - dies hated by Senate, Antoninus barely achieves his deification
ID: 4021
138
ID: 4022
Antoninus Pius becomes emperor - longest peaceful reign, empire at height of prosperity
ID: 4022
140s (11 events)
140
ID: 4135
Shepherd of Hermas written - popular apocalyptic text, nearly canonical, emphasizes repentance and second chance after baptism
ID: 4135
140
ID: 4159
St. Achatius martyred with 10,000 soldiers - Roman centurion, entire legion converted and martyred on Mount Ararat
ID: 4159
140
ID: 4829
Marcion arrives in Rome - wealthy shipowner brings large donation, begins teaching rejection of Old Testament
ID: 4829
140
ID: 4840
Marcion teaches demiurge doctrine - Old Testament God is different inferior deity from Father of Jesus, creates theological crisis
ID: 4840
140
ID: 4870
Rabbinic rejection of Septuagint complete - Rabbis declare Greek translation no longer acceptable for synagogue use
ID: 4870
140
ID: 4890
Valentinus teaches in Rome - Most successful Gnostic teacher, elaborate system of 30 aeons, nearly elected bishop
ID: 4890
142
ID: 2529
Antonine Wall built - turf wall across Scotland from Forth to Clyde, Romans attempt to hold Lowlands
ID: 2529
142
ID: 3844
St. Pius I becomes tenth pope - brother of Hermas (author of The Shepherd), fixes Easter celebration
ID: 3844
142
ID: 4113
St. Hyginus dies - ninth pope, whether martyred is uncertain, fought Gnostic heresies of Valentinus and Cerdo
ID: 4113
144
ID: 4136
Marcion excommunicated in Rome - wealthy shipowner creates first biblical canon (Luke + 10 Pauline letters), rejects Old Testament
ID: 4136
144
ID: 4830
Marcion excommunicated - Church returns his donation, he creates first biblical canon: edited Luke + 10 Pauline letters
ID: 4830
150s (10 events)
150
ID: 4137
St. Justin opens philosophy school in Rome - first Christian philosophy school, synthesizes faith with Platonic thought
ID: 4137
150
ID: 4831
Theodotion's Greek translation - Another Jewish translation of Hebrew scriptures, less literal than Aquila's
ID: 4831
150
ID: 4841
Justin opens Christian philosophy school in Rome - First to systematically harmonize Greek philosophy with Christian faith
ID: 4841
150
ID: 5332
Aljustrel bronze tablets - detailed mining laws found in Portugal, regulate everything from bath house hours to ore theft penalties
ID: 5332
150
ID: 5957
Day of Blood ceremony - March 24, priests of Cybele flagellate selves under pine tree, new initiates castrate themselves in frenzy for Attis
ID: 5957
155
ID: 3804
St. Polycarp martyred at 86 - 'Eighty-six years I have served Him', fire refuses to burn him, finally killed by sword
ID: 3804
155
ID: 3845
St. Anicetus becomes eleventh pope - meets with St. Polycarp about Easter date, forbids clergy long hair
ID: 3845
155
ID: 4114
St. Pius I dies - tenth pope, brother of Hermas who wrote The Shepherd, opposed Marcion's heresy
ID: 4114
155
ID: 4832
Justin writes Dialogue with Trypho - Defense of Old Testament as Christian scripture against both Marcionites and Judaizers
ID: 4832
156
ID: 4138
Montanism begins in Phrygia - Montanus claims new prophecy with two prophetesses, extreme asceticism, expects imminent Parousia
ID: 4138
160s (13 events)
160
ID: 4139
Valentinus teaches in Rome - most influential Gnostic teacher, elaborate cosmology with 30 aeons, secret knowledge for salvation
ID: 4139
160
ID: 4833
Melito of Sardis travels to Palestine - Investigates and lists Old Testament canon, one of first canonical lists
ID: 4833
160
ID: 4893
Marcus the Magician - Valentinian Gnostic using number mysticism, alternative sacraments with Hebrew words
ID: 4893
160
ID: 5958
Taurobolium ritual peaks - initiate stands in pit, bull sacrificed above, drenched in blood, emerges 'reborn for eternity'
ID: 5958
161
ID: 4023
Death of Antoninus Pius - dies peacefully after 23-year reign, smoothest succession
ID: 4023
161
ID: 4024
Marcus Aurelius becomes emperor - philosopher-emperor, rules jointly with Lucius Verus
ID: 4024
164
ID: 2530
Antonine Wall abandoned - Romans retreat to Hadrian's Wall as permanent frontier, Scotland never conquered
ID: 2530
165
ID: 3805
St. Justin Martyr beheaded - philosopher convert, first to harmonize faith and reason, wrote First and Second Apology
ID: 3805
165
ID: 4025
Antonine Plague begins - brought from Parthian War, kills millions including Lucius Verus
ID: 4025
165
ID: 4669
Romans sack Ctesiphon again - Lucius Verus burns palace, plague spreads to Rome
ID: 4669
165
ID: 4834
Justin Martyr martyred in Rome - Beheaded with six companions under Marcus Aurelius for refusing to sacrifice to gods
ID: 4834
166
ID: 3846
St. Soter becomes twelfth pope - known for charity to poor, sends aid to Corinth
ID: 3846
166
ID: 4115
St. Anicetus martyred - eleventh pope, met with Polycarp about Easter controversy, died under Marcus Aurelius
ID: 4115
170s (14 events)
170
ID: 4026
Marcus Aurelius writes Meditations - Stoic philosophy written during Germanic wars
ID: 4026
170
ID: 4140
Tatian creates Diatessaron - harmonized gospel account combining all four gospels into single narrative, widely used in Syria
ID: 4140
170
ID: 5333
Almadén mercury mining peaks - Romans extract cinnabar for vermillion pigment, later crucial for silver amalgamation
ID: 5333
170
ID: 5435
Marcus Aurelius drinks only water - Stoic emperor rejects wine as weakness, sets ascetic example
ID: 5435
172
ID: 4141
Montanism spreads to Rome - Church authorities alarmed by charismatic movement, new prophecies challenge episcopal authority
ID: 4141
175
ID: 3847
St. Eleutherius becomes thirteenth pope - receives request from British king Lucius for missionaries
ID: 3847
175
ID: 4142
Athenagoras writes Plea for Christians - philosophical defense addressed to Marcus Aurelius, refutes charges of atheism and immorality
ID: 4142
177
ID: 4027
Marcus makes Commodus co-emperor - breaks adoptive principle, chooses biological son
ID: 4027
177
ID: 4116
Martyrs of Lyon and Vienne - 48 Christians including St. Blandina (slave girl) tortured and killed in amphitheater
ID: 4116
177
ID: 4117
St. Pothinus martyred at 90 - first bishop of Lyon, died in prison from torture during Marcus Aurelius persecution
ID: 4117
177
ID: 4989
St. Irenaeus becomes Bishop of Lyon - writes 'Against Heresies' combating Gnosticism
ID: 4989
178
ID: 4118
Scillitan Martyrs - first recorded martyrs of Africa, 12 Christians beheaded in Carthage for refusing to swear by emperor's genius
ID: 4118
178
ID: 4143
Celsus writes True Discourse - first systematic pagan attack on Christianity, later refuted by Origen
ID: 4143
178
ID: 4842
Celsus writes True Discourse - Pagan philosopher attacks Christianity using Jewish arguments about scripture
ID: 4842
180s (14 events)
180
ID: 3806
St. Irenaeus writes Against Heresies - student of Polycarp, defends apostolic succession against Gnosticism
ID: 3806
180
ID: 4028
Death of Marcus Aurelius - dies of plague at Vindobona, end of Pax Romana
ID: 4028
180
ID: 4029
Commodus becomes sole emperor - abandons father's wars, becomes gladiator-emperor
ID: 4029
180
ID: 4119
St. Cecilia martyred - Roman noblewoman, patron of music, survived suffocation attempt, beheaded after three strikes
ID: 4119
180
ID: 4144
Muratorian Canon compiled - earliest known list of New Testament books, includes 22 of 27 books
ID: 4144
180
ID: 4835
Irenaeus writes Against Heresies - Student of Polycarp combats Marcionites and Gnostics, establishes OT-NT unity
ID: 4835
180
ID: 4882
Irenaeus writes Against Heresies - Five books exposing and refuting Gnostic sects, especially Valentinians, first systematic heresiology
ID: 4882
180
ID: 5363
Marcus Aurelius debases coinage - silver mines exhausted, reduces silver content of denarius to 75%, inflation begins
ID: 5363
180
ID: 5438
Galen systematizes wine medicine - classifies wines by medical properties, prescribes specific wines for specific conditions
ID: 5438
185
ID: 4120
Origen born in Alexandria - will become greatest biblical scholar of early Church, later writes Hexapla and Against Celsus
ID: 4120
185
ID: 4145
Irenaeus becomes Bishop of Lyon - student of Polycarp, writes against Gnosticism, develops theory of recapitulation
ID: 4145
185
ID: 4889
Irenaeus establishes apostolic succession - Churches founded by apostles have true tradition, against Gnostic secret knowledge
ID: 4889
189
ID: 3848
St. Victor I becomes fourteenth pope - first African pope, makes Latin official Church language, Easter controversy
ID: 3848
189
ID: 4121
St. Eleutherius dies - thirteenth pope, received embassy from British King Lucius requesting missionaries
ID: 4121
190s (15 events)
190
ID: 3807
Clement of Alexandria heads Catechetical School - synthesizes Greek philosophy with Christianity
ID: 3807
190
ID: 4146
Easter Controversy intensifies - Pope Victor I threatens to excommunicate Eastern churches over Quartodeciman practice
ID: 4146
190
ID: 4836
Symmachus the Ebionite's translation - Elegant Greek translation by Jewish-Christian, avoids Christian-friendly readings
ID: 4836
192
ID: 4030
Commodus renames Rome 'Colonia Commodiana' - declares himself Hercules reborn, peak madness
ID: 4030
192
ID: 4031
Commodus strangled - wrestling partner Narcissus kills him in bath, end of Antonine dynasty
ID: 4031
193
ID: 4032
Pertinax emperor for 86 days - tries to reform Praetorians, murdered by them
ID: 4032
193
ID: 4033
Didius Julianus buys empire - wins Praetorian auction for throne, Year of Five Emperors begins
ID: 4033
193
ID: 4034
Septimius Severus proclaimed emperor - African general, marches on Rome, Julianus executed
ID: 4034
194
ID: 4035
Severus defeats Pescennius Niger - eliminates Eastern rival, then turns West against Albinus
ID: 4035
197
ID: 4036
Battle of Lugdunum - Severus defeats Clodius Albinus in bloodiest battle between Roman armies
ID: 4036
197
ID: 4037
Severus sacks Ctesiphon - captures Parthian capital, creates new provinces
ID: 4037
197
ID: 4147
Tertullian converts to Christianity - brilliant lawyer becomes Christian apologist, creates Latin theological vocabulary
ID: 4147
198
ID: 4670
Septimius Severus sacks Ctesiphon - third Roman sack, 100,000 enslaved
ID: 4670
199
ID: 3849
St. Zephyrinus becomes fifteenth pope - combats Monarchianism heresy, long pontificate of 18 years
ID: 3849
199
ID: 4122
St. Victor I dies - fourteenth pope, first African pope, excommunicated churches that celebrated Easter on 14 Nisan
ID: 4122