The 80s was a decade that ran from January 1, AD 80, to December 31, AD 89.
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 Hanended 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.
Some 30,000
Asian tribesmen
migrate from the
steppes to the west with 40,000
horses and 100,000
cattle, joining with
Iranian tribesmen and with
Mongols from the
Siberian forests to form a group that will be known in Europe as the
Huns.
King
Pasa becomes ruler of the Korean kingdom of
Silla.[4]
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.
Emperor
Domitian recalls Agricola back to
Rome, where he is rewarded with a
triumph and the governorship of the Roman province of
Africa, but he declines it.[citation needed]
The construction of the
limes, a line of Roman fortifications from the
Rhine to the
Danube, has begun.[8]
Through his election as consul for ten years and censor for life, Domitian openly subordinates the republican aspect of the state to the monarchical.[citation needed]
Domitian increases the troops' pay by one third, thus securing their loyalty.[9]
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.
First Battle of Tapae:
Roman legions face disaster in
Dacia, when Roman general
Cornelius Fuscus 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
Ban Gu (Pan Kou) and his sister
Ban Zhao (Pan Tchao) compose the History of
China.
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.