54

Year 54 was a (link will display the full calendar) of the.

Roman Empire

 * —  dies, possibly after being poisoned by, his wife and niece, and is succeeded by.
 * Nero attempts to prohibit the.
 * in is captured from the ic  by.
 * Under Nero, Rome annexes Aden to protect the maritime route between and.
 * Two s are sent to the south of to find the sources of the, and possible new provinces. They report that while there are many cities in the desert, the area seems too poor to be worthy of conquest.
 * Violence erupts in regarding the a local ordinance restricting the  of, creating clashes between Jews and pagans. The Roman garrison, made up of Syrians, takes the side of the pagans. The Jews, armed with clubs and swords, meet in the marketplace. The Governor of Judaea, , orders his troops to charge. The violence continues and Felix asks Nero to arbitrate.  Nero, sides with the pagans and relegates the Jews to second-class citizens. This decision does nothing but increase the Jews' anger.
 * In, leads a revolt against his ex-wife , queen of the  and a Roman ally. Governor  sends her military aid, and after some indecisive fighting a legion commanded by  defeats the rebels (approximate date - some time between 52 and 57).

Asia

 * is returned piecemeal to 's son between  and 54.

Religion

 * succeeds as.
 * begins his third mission.
 * , a later assistant of Paul, is converted to in.

Deaths

 * —, Roman emperor, poisoned by his wife
 * , widow of, mother of and former mother-in-law of Claudius
 * , Chinese historian