17 facts for kids

17 AD was a year in the 1st century. It was a regular year that started on a Friday in the Julian calendar, which was the calendar used by the Roman Empire at the time. People in the Roman Empire often called it the "Year of the Consulship of Flaccus and Rufus." A consul was one of the two most important leaders in ancient Rome.

Important Events in 17 AD

Roman Empire's Actions

• Germanicus, a famous Roman general, led military trips to the East. These trips helped the Roman Empire grow and stay strong.
• The area called Cappadocia, which is in what we now call Asia Minor, became a new Roman province. This meant it was officially part of the Roman Empire.
• Sejanus became the Praetorian prefect. This was a very powerful job, like being the head of the emperor's special guards and a top advisor.
• A very long book called Ab Urbe condita was finished. It means "History of Rome Since its Foundation." This book had 142 parts and told the story of Rome from its very beginning. The author was a famous historian named Livy.

Events in Europe

• A civil war began in Germania. This was a conflict between different groups of people in the area that is now Germany.

Natural Disasters in Asia Minor

• A big earthquake hit Asia Minor. It caused a lot of damage and destroyed the city of Sardis.

Famous People Who Died in 17 AD

• Ovid was a very well-known Roman poet. He wrote many famous poems. (Some people think he might have died in 18 AD instead.)
• Livy was a Roman historian. He wrote the huge history book about Rome mentioned above.
• Gaius Julius Hyginus was a Roman writer who wrote about many different topics.