42 BC Facts for Kids

Millennium:	1st millennium BC
Centuries:	2nd century BC – 1st century BC – 1st century
Decades:	70s BC 60s BC 50s BC – 40s BC – 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC
Years:	45 BC 44 BC 43 BC – 42 BC – 41 BC 40 BC 39 BC

42 BC in various calendars
Gregorian calendar	42 BC XLI BC
Ab urbe condita	712
Ancient Egypt era	XXXIII dynasty, 282
- Pharaoh	Cleopatra VII, 10
Ancient Greek era	184th Olympiad, year 3
Assyrian calendar	4709
Balinese saka calendar	N/A
Bengali calendar	−634
Berber calendar	909
Buddhist calendar	503
Burmese calendar	−679
Byzantine calendar	5467–5468
Chinese calendar	戊寅年 (Earth Tiger) 2655 or 2595 — to — 己卯年 (Earth Rabbit) 2656 or 2596
Coptic calendar	−325 – −324
Discordian calendar	1125
Ethiopian calendar	−49 – −48
Hebrew calendar	3719–3720
Hindu calendars
- Vikram Samvat	15–16
- Shaka Samvat	N/A
- Kali Yuga	3059–3060
Holocene calendar	9959
Iranian calendar	663 BP – 662 BP
Islamic calendar	683 BH – 682 BH
Javanese calendar	N/A
Julian calendar	42 BC XLI BC
Korean calendar	2292
Minguo calendar	1953 before ROC 民前1953年
Nanakshahi calendar	−1509
Seleucid era	270/271 AG
Thai solar calendar	501–502
Tibetan calendar	阳土虎年 (male Earth-Tiger) 85 or −296 or −1068 — to — 阴土兔年 (female Earth-Rabbit) 86 or −295 or −1067

The year 42 BC was a time of big changes in ancient Rome. It was known as the Year of the Consulship of Lepidus and Plancus, named after two important Roman leaders. This year was part of the Julian calendar, which was used back then.

Key Events of 42 BC
Important Births
Notable Deaths
Images for kids
See also

Key Events of 42 BC

The Roman Civil War Continues

In 42 BC, the Roman Republic was still in a civil war. This war followed the assassination of Julius Caesar. Two of Caesar's assassins, Marcus Junius Brutus and Cassius, were fighting against Caesar's supporters.

Brutus and Cassius Gather Power

Before the main battles, Brutus and Cassius worked to strengthen their armies.

Marcus Junius Brutus gathered resources from cities in Asia Minor. This helped him fund his army.
Gaius Cassius Longinus took control of Rhodes, an important island. This gave him more power and resources.

Mark Antony and Octavian Prepare

Meanwhile, two of Caesar's main supporters, Mark Antony and Octavian Caesar, were getting ready for battle.

Mark Antony brought his army to Illyria, a region across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. They were preparing to face Brutus and Cassius.

The Battle of Philippi

The most important event of 42 BC was the Battle of Philippi. This was a major clash between two powerful groups:

On one side were Mark Antony and Octavian Caesar. They wanted to get revenge for Caesar's death.
On the other side were Marcus Junius Brutus and Cassius. They believed they had saved the Republic from a dictator.

The battle happened in two main parts in Philippi, a city in ancient Macedonia.

The first part of the battle took place on October 3.
The second and final part happened on October 23.

In the end, Mark Antony and Octavian won the battle. This victory was a turning point in Roman history.

Important Births

for more information, see Category:42 BC births.

Tiberius: He would later become a Roman emperor. (Died in AD 37)
Marcus Claudius Marcellus: A nephew of Emperor Augustus.

Notable Deaths

for more information, see Category:42 BC deaths.

Gaius Cassius Longinus: One of the main assassins of Julius Caesar.
Marcus Junius Brutus: Another key assassin of Julius Caesar.
Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus: A Roman nobleman.
Porcia Catonis: The wife of Brutus.
Gaius Antonius: The brother of Mark Antony.

Images for kids

First Battle of Philippi (October 3, 42 BC)
Second Battle of Philippi (October 23, 42 BC)

42 BC facts for kids

Contents