4 facts for kids

The year 4 (written as IV in Roman numerals) was a leap year. It started on a Tuesday in the Julian calendar, which was used a long time ago. In the Gregorian calendar, which we use today, it started on a Thursday. Back then, people called it the Year of the Consulship of Catus and Saturninus. This means Catus and Saturninus were the main leaders of Rome that year. The name "4 AD" became common much later, during the Middle Ages, when the Anno Domini system was used to count years in Europe. This year was also the 4th year of the 1st century.

Important Events of 4 AD

Roman Empire News

New Leaders and Heirs

• Emperor Caesar Augustus, the powerful ruler of the Roman Empire, called his stepson Tiberius to Rome. Augustus then officially named Tiberius as his heir, meaning Tiberius would become the next emperor.
• At the same time, Agrippa Postumus, who was the last grandson of Augustus, was also adopted and named as an heir. This meant Augustus had two possible successors.
• Tiberius also adopted Germanicus, a young and popular general, as his own heir. This showed how important it was to plan for the future of the empire.
• Sextus Aelius Catus became a consul, which was one of the highest political jobs in Rome.

New Laws and Agreements

• A new law called the Lex Aelia Sentia was created. This law set rules about how slaves could become free, a process called manumission.
• The Roman Empire, led by Tiberius, signed an important agreement with a German tribe called the Cherusci. This was a pact of friendship and non-aggression, meaning they promised not to fight each other.
• As part of this agreement, Arminius and Flavus, who were sons of the Cherusci King Segimer, joined the Roman army. They became leaders of the auxiliary troops, which were soldiers from other groups who helped the Roman army.

Other Roman Events

• Julia the Elder, who was Emperor Augustus's daughter, returned from being sent away (exile). She had to live in Rhegium in disgrace, meaning she was not allowed to be part of Roman high society.
• Augustus forgave Gnaeus Cornelius Cinna Magnus and Aemilia Lepida. They were accused of planning against the emperor, but Augustus decided to pardon them.
• Marcus Plautius Silvanus was chosen to be the governor (called a proconsul) of the Roman province of Asia.
• In Athens, Greece, a man named Polianus Maradonius became the Archon, which was the chief magistrate or ruler of the city.

Events in the Mid-East

• In Parthia, a powerful kingdom in the Mid-East, King Phraataces and Queen Musa were overthrown and killed. The people then offered the crown to Orodes III of Parthia. This event marked the start of a period without a clear ruler, known as an interregnum.

Events in Asia

• In Korea, Namhae Chachaung became the new king of the kingdom of Silla. He took over after Bak Hyeokgeose, who was the previous king. This is a traditional date from Korean history.
• In China, Emperor Ping of Han married Empress Wang (Ping), who was the daughter of a powerful official named Wang Mang. This marriage helped Wang Mang gain even more influence and power in the empire.

Arts and Sciences

• A writer named Nicholas of Damascus finished writing his very long book called History of the World. It had 14 volumes, which means it was a huge collection of books!

Famous People Born in 4 AD

• Columella, who became a famous Roman writer (died in 70 AD).
• Daemusin of Goguryeo, who later became a king of Goguryeo in Korea (died in 44 AD).

Notable Deaths in 4 AD

A sculpture of Gaius Caesar.

• Gaius Caesar, who was the son of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder, passed away. He died from injuries he got while fighting in a campaign in Artagira, Armenia.
• Bak Hyeokgeose of Silla, who was the first ruler of Korea, also died this year.
• Gaius Asinius Pollio, a Roman leader, poet, and historian, died. He was born in 65 BC.
• Terentia, who was the first wife of the famous Roman speaker Marcus Tullius Cicero, passed away. She was born in 98 BC.
• Ariobarzanes II, who was the King of Media Atropatane, died. He was born in 40 BC.
• Artavasdas IV, who was the King of Armenia, also died. He was born in 20 BC.

Images for kids

• 

  x50px

• 

  Two modern handwritten fours

• 

  Four mugs

See also

In Spanish: Cuatro para niños