80s

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A view of the Colosseum, which held its inaugural games in AD 80. Rom Colosseum Sept 2021 3.jpg
A view of the Colosseum, which held its inaugural games in AD 80.

The 80s was a decade that ran from January 1, AD 80, to December 31, AD 89.

Contents

As the decade began, the Parthian Empire was in a phase of division until Pacorus II managed to consolidate his rule, eliminating the two rival contenders for his throne: Vologases II in AD 80 and Artabanus III in AD 81. Domitian became Roman emperor in AD 81: The military campaigns undertaken during his reign were generally defensive in nature, as the Emperor rejected the idea of expansionist warfare. His most significant military contribution was the development of the Limes Germanicus, which encompassed a vast network of roads, forts and watchtowers constructed along the Rhine river to defend the Empire. Nevertheless, several important wars were fought in Gaul, against the Chatti, and across the Danube frontier against the Suebi, the Sarmatians, and the Dacians (see Domitian's Dacian War). In northern Britain, the Romans defeated local tribes in the Battle of Mons Graupius (AD 83). In China, the Han–Xiongnu War continued, with the Battle of the Altai Mountains (AD 89) bringing the Northern Xiongnu to the brink of collapse. The death of Emperor Zhang of Han ended a golden age.

In spring of AD 80, a fire broke out in Rome and burned large parts of the city for three days and three nights. Although the extent of the damage was not as disastrous as during the Great Fire of 64 and crucially spared the many districts of insulae, Cassius Dio records a long list of important public buildings that were destroyed, including Agrippa's Pantheon, the Temple of Jupiter, the Diribitorium, parts of the Theatre of Pompey, and the Saepta Julia among others. Emperor Titus personally compensated for the damaged regions. According to Suetonius, a plague also broke out during the fire. The nature of the disease, however, and the death toll are unknown.

Having been under construction since AD 70–72, the Colosseum was finally completed in AD 80, and its inaugural games were held that same year. Also in AD 80, the Eifel Aqueduct and Stadium of Domitian were constructed. Literary works that were composed around this time include Punica (a Latin epic poem themed around the Second Punic War), Thebaid (which recounts the clash of two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, over the throne of the Greek city of Thebes) and the Gospel of Matthew (the first book of the New Testament of the Bible).

Manning (2008) tentatively estimates the world population in AD 80 to have been 250 million. [1]

Events

By place

Roman Empire
Asia

By topic

Art and Science
Religion

By place

Roman Empire
  • 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.
  • The Arch of Titus is constructed.
  • Pliny the Younger is flamen Divi Augusti (priest in the cult of the Emperor).

By topic

Commerce
  • The silver content of the Roman denarius rises to 92% under emperor Domitian, up from 81% in the reign of Vitellius.
Religion

By place

Roman Empire

By place

Roman Empire

By place

Roman Empire
Asia

By place

Roman Empire
Asia

By place

Roman Empire
Dacia
Asia

By place

Roman Empire
Europe

By place

Roman Empire
Asia
  • 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.
  • Last year (4th) of yuanhe era and start of zhanghe era of the Chinese Eastern Han dynasty.

By topic

Religion

By place

Europe
Asia

By topic

Religion

Significant people

Births

AD 80

AD 81

AD 82

AD 83

AD 85

AD 86

AD 87

AD 89

Deaths

AD 80

AD 81

AD 82

AD 83

AD 84

AD 85

AD 86

AD 88

AD 89

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References

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  2. Ronald Syme, Some Arval brethren (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1980), pp. 20f
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