2nd century facts for kids

The 2nd century was a period of 100 years, starting in 101 AD and ending in 200 AD. It was a time of great empires and important changes around the world. Many historians call this era the "Pax Romana" or "Roman Peace" because the Roman Empire was very strong and stable.

The Roman Empire at its Peak

During the 2nd century, the Roman Empire reached its largest size and power. This period is often called the time of the "Five Good Emperors." These emperors were Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. They ruled Rome well and helped the empire grow and stay peaceful.

Famous Roman Emperors

• Trajan (ruled 98-117 AD): He was known for expanding the Roman Empire to its greatest size. He conquered new lands, including Dacia (modern-day Romania).
• Hadrian (ruled 117-138 AD): Hadrian focused on strengthening the empire's borders instead of expanding. He is famous for building Hadrian's Wall in Britain. This wall helped protect the Roman lands from northern tribes.
• Antoninus Pius (ruled 138-161 AD): His reign was very peaceful and prosperous. He avoided wars and focused on improving the lives of Roman citizens.
• Marcus Aurelius (ruled 161-180 AD): He was a philosopher-emperor, known for his wisdom. He faced some challenges, like wars on the borders and a great plague.

Life in the Roman Empire

Life in the Roman Empire during this century was quite advanced for its time.

• Cities had public baths, theaters, and large markets.
• Roman law was fair for many citizens, and trade routes were safe.
• The Silk Road connected the Roman Empire with distant lands like China, allowing goods and ideas to travel.

The Han Dynasty in China

Far to the east, the Han Dynasty was still a powerful empire in China.

• The Han Dynasty had a strong government and a large population.
• They made important inventions, like paper, which became widely used during this century.
• The Han also developed advanced tools, such as an early seismograph to detect earthquakes.
• Towards the end of the 2nd century, the Han Dynasty began to face problems. There were rebellions and struggles for power, which eventually led to its decline.

Other Important Civilizations

While Rome and China were major powers, other civilizations also thrived.

• The Kushan Empire was powerful in parts of Central Asia and India. They played a big role in trade along the Silk Road.
• The Parthian Empire was a rival to Rome in the Middle East. They often fought over control of trade routes and territories.
• In the Americas, civilizations like the Maya civilization and the city of Teotihuacan in Mexico were growing. They built impressive cities and developed complex societies.

Inventions and Discoveries

The 2nd century saw some important advancements:

• Paper: Although invented earlier, paper became more common in China during this time. It made writing and record-keeping much easier.
• Seismograph: The Chinese inventor Zhang Heng created an early device to detect earthquakes. It was a large bronze vessel with dragon heads that dropped a ball when an earthquake occurred.

Related pages

• Kofun period

Images for kids

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  Map of the world in 100 AD.

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  Map of the world in 200 AD, at the end of the second century.

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  Pieces of Hadrian's Wall remain near Greenhead and along the route, though large sections have been dismantled over the years to use the stones for various nearby construction projects.

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  The La Mojarra Stela 1, from Veracruz, Mexico, made by the Epi-Olmec culture in 156.

See also

In Spanish: Siglo II para niños