80s
- Note: Sometimes '80s is used as shorthand for the 1980s, the 1880s, or other such decades in different centuries – see List of decades.
| Millennium: | 1st millennium |
| Centuries: | 1st century BC – 1st century – 2nd century |
| Decades: | 50s 60s 70s – 80s – 90s 100s 110s |
| Years: | 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 |
| Categories: | Births – Deaths Establishments |
This is a list of events occurring in the 80s, ordered by year.
80
By place
Roman Empire
- Emperor Titus inaugurates the Colosseum with 100 days of games.
- The earliest stage of Lullingstone Roman villa is built.
- The Roman occupation of Britain reaches the River Tyne–Solway Firth frontier area. Gnaeus Julius Agricola creates a fleet for conquest of Caledonia, he finally proves that Britannia is an island.
- Legio II Adiutrix is stationed at Lindum Colonia (modern Lincoln). The city is an important settlement for retired Roman legionaries.
- The original Roman Pantheon is destroyed in a fire, together with many other buildings.
- The Eifel Aqueduct is constructed to bring water 95 km (59 mi) from the Eifel region to Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensum (modern Cologne).
- Gnaeus Julius Agricola begins his invasion of Scotland.
Asia
- Some 30,000 Asian tribespeople migrate from the steppes to the west with 40,000 horses and 100,000 cattle, joining with Iranian tribespeople and with Mongols from the Siberian forests to form a group that will be known in Europe as the Huns.
By topic
Arts and sciences
- The aeolipile, the first steam engine, is described by Hero of Alexandria.
Religion
- The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles are written (approximate date).
81
By place
Roman Empire
- 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 percent under emperor Domitian, up from 81 percent in the reign of Vitellius.
82
By place
Roman Empire
- Roman emperor Domitian becomes Roman Consul.
- 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 put them to flight.
- Calgacus unites the Picts (30,000 men) in Scotland and is made chieftain of the Caledonian Confederacy.
- Dio Chrysostom is banished from Rome, Italy, and Bithynia after advising one of the Emperor's conspiring relatives.
- Domitian levies Legio I Minervia.
83
By place
Roman Empire
- Possible date of the Battle of Mons Graupius (83 or 84). According to Tacitus, 10,000 Britons and 360 Romans are killed.
- Roman emperor Domitian fights the Chatti, a Germanic tribe. His victory allows the construction of fortifications (Limes) along the Rhine-frontier.
- Inchtuthil, Roman fort built in Scotland.
- Domitian is again also a Roman Consul.
- Possible date that Demetrius of Tarsus visited an island in the Hebrides populated by holy men, possibly druids.
- In Rome, the castration of slaves is prohibited.
84
By place
Roman Empire
- Possible date of the Battle of Mons Graupius (83 or 84), in which Gnaeus Julius Agricola defeats the Caledonians.
- Emperor Domitian recalls Agricola back to Rome, where he is rewarded with a triumph and the governorship of the Roman province Africa, but he declines it.
- Pliny the Younger is sevir equitum Romanorum (commander of a cavalry squadron).
- The construction of the Limes, a line of Roman fortifications from the Rhine to the Danube, is begun.
- Through his election as consul for ten years and censor for life, Domitian openly subordinates the republican aspect of the state to the monarchical.
- Domitian increases the troops' pay by one third, thus securing their loyalty.
Asia
- Change of Jianchu era to Yuanhe era of the Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty.
85
By place
Roman Empire
- Dacians under Decebalus engage in two wars against the Romans from this year to 88 or 89.
- Emperor Domitian repulses a Dacian invasion of Moesia.
- 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.
Asia
- Baekje invades the outskirts of Silla in the Korean peninsula. The war continues till the peace treaty of 105.
86
By place
Roman Empire
- Emperor Domitian introduces the Capitoline Games.
- The Roman General Trajan, future emperor, begins a campaign to crush an uprising in Germany.
- Germany is divided into two provinces, Upper Germany and Lower Germany.
Dacia
- Roman legions face disaster in Dacia in the First Battle of Tapae, when Cornelius Fuscus, Praetorian prefect, 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.
Asia
87
By place
Roman Empire
- The Roman Maternus arrives in Ethiopia.
- Lyon, a city in Gaul, has a population of over 100,000.
- Sextus gains power in the senate.
Europe
88
By place
Roman Empire
- Two Egyptian obelisks are erected in Benevento in front of the Temple of Isis, in honour of emperor Domitian.
- Quintilian retires from teaching and from pleading, to compose his great work on the training of the orator (Institutio Oratoria).
- 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.
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 Pan 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
- Pope Clement I succeeds Pope Anacletus I as the fourth pope.
89
By place
Europe
- Legio XIII Gemina is transferred to Dacia to help in the war against Decebalus.
- Aquincum (old Budapest, Óbuda) is founded.
Asia
- First year of Yongyuan era of the Chinese Han Dynasty.
- June – The Han Chinese army under Dou Xian (d. 92), allied with the southern Xiongnu, is victorious over the Northern Xiongnu in the Battle of Ikh Bayan.
By topic
Religion
- Change of Patriarch of Constantinople from Polycarpus to Plutarch.
- Publication in Syria or Phoenicia of the Gospel of Matthew by a converted Jewish scholar.
Significant people
- Titus Flavius Vespasianus, Roman Emperor (79–81)
- Titus Flavius Domitianus, Roman Emperor (81–96)