31 BC facts for kids
| Millennium: | 1st millennium BC |
|---|---|
| Centuries: | 2nd century BC – 1st century BC – 1st century |
| Decades: | 60s BC 50s BC 40s BC – 30s BC – 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC |
| Years: | 34 BC 33 BC 32 BC – 31 BC – 30 BC 29 BC 28 BC |
| Gregorian calendar | 31 BC XXX BC |
| Ab urbe condita | 723 |
| Ancient Egypt era | XXXIII dynasty, 293 |
| - Pharaoh | Cleopatra VII, 21 |
| Ancient Greek era | 187th Olympiad, year 2 |
| Assyrian calendar | 4720 |
| Balinese saka calendar | N/A |
| Bengali calendar | −623 |
| Berber calendar | 920 |
| Buddhist calendar | 514 |
| Burmese calendar | −668 |
| Byzantine calendar | 5478–5479 |
| Chinese calendar | 己丑年 (Earth Ox) 2666 or 2606 — to — 庚寅年 (Metal Tiger) 2667 or 2607 |
| Coptic calendar | −314 – −313 |
| Discordian calendar | 1136 |
| Ethiopian calendar | −38 – −37 |
| Hebrew calendar | 3730–3731 |
| Hindu calendars | |
| - Vikram Samvat | 26–27 |
| - Shaka Samvat | N/A |
| - Kali Yuga | 3070–3071 |
| Holocene calendar | 9970 |
| Iranian calendar | 652 BP – 651 BP |
| Islamic calendar | 672 BH – 671 BH |
| Javanese calendar | N/A |
| Julian calendar | 31 BC XXX BC |
| Korean calendar | 2303 |
| Minguo calendar | 1942 before ROC 民前1942年 |
| Nanakshahi calendar | −1498 |
| Seleucid era | 281/282 AG |
| Thai solar calendar | 512–513 |
| Tibetan calendar | 阴土牛年 (female Earth-Ox) 96 or −285 or −1057 — to — 阳金虎年 (male Iron-Tiger) 97 or −284 or −1056 |
The year 31 BC was a time of big changes in the ancient world. It was part of the Julian calendar, which was the calendar used by the Romans. People at the time knew it as the "Year of the Consulship of Antonius and Octavianus." This means that two important Roman leaders, Mark Antony and Octavian, were the main officials in charge that year.
Contents
Key Events of 31 BC
Octavian Becomes Consul Again
In 31 BC, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian became a Roman Consul for the third time. A consul was one of the two highest elected officials in the Roman Republic. It was a very powerful position. This time, his partner as consul was Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus. He took the place of Mark Antony, who had been a consul before.
The Build-Up to Battle
Octavian and Mark Antony were rivals for power in Rome. This year saw many important military moves as they prepared for a major conflict.
Octavian's Strategy and Movements
Octavian started by setting up a bridgehead at the Gulf of Ambracia. A bridgehead is a secure area that an army takes control of on the enemy's side of a river or other barrier. It allows more troops and supplies to cross safely. This was a key strategic move.
Meanwhile, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, who was a very skilled general and friend of Octavian, sailed with 300 war galleys. Galleys were large ships powered by oars and sails, often used in ancient naval battles. Agrippa sailed to the western Peloponnese, which is a large peninsula in southern Greece. He took control of the Gulf of Corinth. This was important because it helped to cut off Mark Antony's line of communication, making it harder for Antony to get messages, supplies, or reinforcements.
Antony's Position
Mark Antony set up his main camp at the promontory of Actium. A promontory is a high point of land or a rock that sticks out into the sea. This location gave him a good view and a strong defensive position.
Agrippa's Attacks
Agrippa continued his successful attacks. He stormed Leucas, which was an island. He also captured the garrison at Patrae. A garrison is a group of troops stationed in a fortress or town to defend it. These victories further weakened Antony's position.
Egyptian Fleet Retreats
The Egyptian fleet, which was allied with Mark Antony and Cleopatra, had to retreat. They sailed to Taenarus, a cape in southern Greece. This showed that Antony's forces were losing ground.
Octavian's Court at Samos
After these military successes, Octavian held his court at Samos. This was a way to show his growing power and control over the region.
Masada Fortress Completed
Far away from the Roman conflicts, in the Judean Desert, Herod the Great finished building the fortress of Masada. Masada was a strong, well-protected fortress built on a high plateau. It was designed to be a safe haven and a symbol of Herod's power.
Images for kids
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