The world: 1st century BC

100–1 BC

Events in this period 3

1. 44 BC · Europe · Politics

   Assassination of Julius Caesar

   Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator, was assassinated on the Ides of March, 44 BC, by a group of senators during a Senate session at the Curia of Pompey, located within the Theatre of Pompey in Rome. The conspirators, numbering 60 individuals and led by Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus, and Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus, stabbed Caesar approximately 23 times. They justified the act as a defense of the Roman Republic, asserting that Caesar's accumulation of lifelong political authority—including his perpetual dictatorship and other honors—threatened republican traditions. The assassination failed to achieve its immediate objective of restoring the Republic's institutions. Instead, it precipitated Caesar's posthumous deification and was followed by the Liberators' civil war between his supporters and the conspirators, which became a stage in the collapse of the Republic. These events ultimately culminated in the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus, marking the beginning of the Principate era.

2. 58 BC – 51 BC · Europe · War

   Gallic Wars

   The Gallic Wars were waged between 58 and 50 BC by the Roman general Gaius Julius Caesar against the peoples of Gaul, Britain and Germania. Gallic, Germanic, and Brittonic tribes fought to defend their homelands against an aggressive Roman campaign. The wars culminated in the decisive Battle of Alesia in 52 BC, in which a complete Roman victory resulted in the expansion of the Roman Republic over the whole of Gaul. Though the collective Gallic armies were as strong as the Roman forces, internal divisions among the Gallic tribes eased victory for Caesar. Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix's attempt to unite the Gauls under a single banner came too late. Caesar portrayed the invasion as being a preemptive and defensive action, but historians agree that he fought the wars primarily to boost his political career and to pay off his debts. Still, Gaul was of significant military importance to the Romans. Native tribes in the region, both Gallic and Germanic, had repeatedly attacked Roman territory. Conquering Gaul allowed Rome to secure the natural border of the Rhine river.

3. 37 BC · Korea · Politics

   Goguryeo

   Goguryeo also later known as Goryeo, was a Korean kingdom which was located on the northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula and the southern and central parts of modern-day Northeast China (Manchuria). At its peak of power, Goguryeo encompassed most of the Korean Peninsula and large parts of Manchuria, along with parts of modern-day Russia. Archaeological evidence suggests it may have extended as far west as modern-day eastern Mongolia.

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Around the same time

• Punic Wars264 BC – 146 BC
• Qin unifies China221 BC
• Silk Roadc. 130 BC
• Crucifixion of Jesusc. 30
• Library of Alexandriac. 285 BC
• Han dynasty202 BC
• Cai Lun105
• First Punic War264 BC – 241 BC
• Kalinga War261 BC
• Battle of Changping260 BC
• Second Punic War218 BC – 201 BC
• Battle of Cannae216 BC

Other maps for this period

• War mapsGallic Wars
• Inventions mapAntikythera mechanism