2nd century



The 2nd century is the period from to  in accordance with the  in the. It is considered part of the , epoch, or 

Early in the century, the attained its  greatest expansion under the emperor, but after his death became primarily defensive for the rest of its history. Much prosperity took place throughout the empire at this time, ruled as it were by the, a succession of just and able rulers. This period also saw the removal of the s from during the reign of  after. The last quarter of the century saw the end of the period of peace and prosperity known as the at the death of the emperor, last of the "", and the accession of his ineffective and deranged son.

Although the of  was firmly cemented into power and extended its imperial influence into  during the first half of the century, by the second half there was widespread corruption and open rebellion. This set in motion its ultimate decline, until it was overthrown in 220.

Events



 * 96–180: of Rome:, , , ,
 * The of  emerges
 * 120–150: migrate to
 * 122–132: across Britain
 * 132–135: against Rome
 * 144:, rejected by Church of Rome, founds
 * 167–175: First War
 * 178–180: Second Marcomanni War (depicted in the movie )
 * 184–205: the of the  in China begins

Significant persons

 * Head of all the Jewish Sages
 * Prince of the Jewish people
 * , Roman Emperor, claimed to be
 * , medical writer
 * , second
 * Roman satirical poet
 * , Christian
 * , founder of Buddhism
 * , Greek historian
 * , Greek astronomer, astrologer and geographer
 * , Roman Emperor
 * , Roman historian
 * , most famous Christian
 * , Chinese hermit
 * , Chinese statesman, poet, inventor, astronomer, geographer, and engineer
 * , Chinese statesman, poet, inventor, astronomer, geographer, and engineer

Inventions, discoveries, introductions

 * of China invents paper (c. 105)
 * compiles a catalogue of all s visible to the naked eye. He also compiles three of the most influential books in western history:
 * the which becomes the basis for western and Middle Eastern astronomy until the time of Copernicus and Kepler;
 * the astrological treatise, ;
 * and the


 * : of China and the world's first
 * : of China invents first  to detect the  of s