What Happened in the Years 101 to 104 AD?
The Roman Empire saw a great deal of progress in the agriculture arena, as well as changes in politics, literature, and religion. In this article, you will learn more about the people, places, and events between 101 and 104 AD around the world.
In Europe
Augustus had already established limits of the Roman Empire by this time, but Emperor Trajan crosses these boundaries when he begins an expedition into the Dacian Kingdom. During 101 AD, the significant Second Battle of Tapae takes place. It is here that Trajan defeated the Dacian King Decebalus’ army. However, the Romans suffered some setbacks that delayed the completion of their expedition to 102.
The Roman Empire sees Stoic philosopher and Greek sage Epictetus write and publish his work, “The Discourse” in 101 AD. Epictetus called Rome his home until he was banished. He went to live in Nicopolis in the northwestern part of Greece where he would spend the rest of his life.
Plutarch is known in ancient Roman history as a Greek historian and essayist who became a Roman citizen. His writings would influence a great deal of people, including French and English writers, such as William Shakespeare. In 101 AD, Plutarch wrote his ‘Parallel Lives of Famous Men,’ which offered 50 biographies of great ancient Greek and Roman personalities. Some of the characters discussed within the pages include Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Romulus, Theseus, and Cicero.
In 102 AD, the Roman Empire saw Lucius Julius Ursus Servianus and Lucius Licinius Sura become part of the Roman Consul. After success against Dacia, Emperor Trajan returns to Rome. During this time, he reestablishes the Roman power over the king of Dacia. Emperor Trajan and Manius Laberius Maximus (a significant Roman senator and military figure) becomes Roman Cousul in 103 AD.
In 104 AD, the order is given to construct the Alcantara Bridge over the Tagus Rivver in Hispania. Trajan chooses the architect Lacer to head the project. More architecture continues during this year. Apollodorus of Damascus builds a bridge made out of stone over the Danube that measures more than 1,000 meters (or 3,280 feet) long. The bridge is nearly 20 meters high and 15 meters wide. After this construction, what is now known as Serbia becomes connected to Romania by the bridge , a region which was called Dacia at the time.
In Asia
In 101 AD, the Tibetans introduce the Buddhist religion to the people of Indonesia. After organizing the territories of the Tarim Basin, the Chinese general Ban Chao goes into retirement in Luoyang, and dies shortly after in 102 AD. In medicinal circles, doctors in India note that the presence of sugar in the urine is a sign that illness is present. This observation would later turn into early understanding of diabetes. In 104 AD, a shift in decorating techniques associated with religion appears as figures of Buddha replace abstract motifs.