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69 BC facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Millennium: 1st millennium BC
Centuries: 2nd century BC1st century BC1st century
Decades: 90s BC  80s BC  70s BC  – 60s BC –  50s BC  40s BC  30s BC
Years: 72 BC 71 BC 70 BC69 BC – 68 BC 67 BC 66 BC
69 BC by topic
Politics
State leaders – Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
Births – Deaths
Establishments and disestablishments categories
Establishments – Disestablishments
69 BC in various calendars
Gregorian calendar 69 BC
LXVIII BC
Ab urbe condita 685
Ancient Egypt era XXXIII dynasty, 255
- Pharaoh Ptolemy XII Auletes, 12
Ancient Greek era 177th Olympiad, year 4
Assyrian calendar 4682
Balinese saka calendar N/A
Bengali calendar −661
Berber calendar 882
Buddhist calendar 476
Burmese calendar −706
Byzantine calendar 5440–5441
Chinese calendar 辛亥(Metal Pig)
2628 or 2568
    — to —
壬子年 (Water Rat)
2629 or 2569
Coptic calendar −352 – −351
Discordian calendar 1098
Ethiopian calendar −76 – −75
Hebrew calendar 3692–3693
Hindu calendars
 - Vikram Samvat −12 – −11
 - Shaka Samvat N/A
 - Kali Yuga 3032–3033
Holocene calendar 9932
Iranian calendar 690 BP – 689 BP
Islamic calendar 711 BH – 710 BH
Javanese calendar N/A
Julian calendar N/A
Korean calendar 2265
Minguo calendar 1980 before ROC
民前1980年
Nanakshahi calendar −1536
Seleucid era 243/244 AG
Thai solar calendar 474–475
Tibetan calendar 阴金猪年
(female Iron-Pig)
58 or −323 or −1095
    — to —
阳水鼠年
(male Water-Rat)
59 or −322 or −1094


The year 69 BC was a time of important changes in the ancient world. It was part of the old Roman calendar, before the calendar we use today. This year saw major events in the Roman Republic, Egypt, and Greece, shaping the future of these powerful regions.

Key Events of 69 BC

Roman Republic's Influence

Leaders and New Kings

In 69 BC, the Roman Republic was led by two main officials called Consuls. These were like the highest elected leaders. For this year, the Consuls were Quintus Caecilius Metellus Creticus and Quintus Hortensius.

Far away, in the land of Syria, a new king was chosen. His name was Antiochus XIII Asiaticus. He became the ruler of Syria during this time.

Roman Military Victories

The Roman army was very strong and active in 69 BC. A famous Roman general named Lucius Lucullus led his troops to a big victory. They fought against the army of Tigranes II, who was the king of Armenia. This important fight was called the Battle of Tigranocerta.

The Romans won the battle and captured Tigranocerta, which was the capital city of Armenia. This showed how powerful the Roman military was becoming.

Borders and New Roles

After some conflicts, the Parthians and the Romans agreed to a new border. They decided that the Euphrates River would be the line separating their lands. This helped to create a more stable frontier, or border, between their territories.

Also in 69 BC, a young and ambitious Roman named Gaius Julius Caesar began an important job. He served as a quaestor in Spain. A quaestor was a Roman official who managed public money and helped with legal matters. This was an early step in Caesar's famous career.

Changes in Egypt

Ptolemy XII Takes Control

In Egypt, there was a change in who was ruling. Ptolemy XII became the sole ruler of Egypt. He removed Cleopatra V from her position. This meant he was the only pharaoh, or king, of Egypt at that time.

Developments in Greece

Roman Expansion in Crete

The Roman military continued to expand its control. In 69 BC, the ancient city of Kydonia on the island of Crete fell under Roman rule. This was another example of how the Roman Republic was growing its power across the Mediterranean region.

Piracy and Trade

The island of Rhodes was known as a safe place, especially against piracy. Pirates were sea robbers who attacked ships. However, even the Rhodians found it hard to stop all the piracy in the Aegean Sea.

To help with trade, the island of Delos was given a special status. It became a "free port," which meant ships could trade there without paying many taxes. This helped to encourage more business and shipping in the area.

Important Births

  • January – Princess Cleopatra VII of Egypt was born in Egypt. She would later become a famous Pharaoh of Egypt. (Some sources say she was born in December, 70 BC). She passed away in 30 BC.
  • Octavia Minor was born. She was the grandniece of the famous Roman leader Julius Caesar. She passed away in 11 BC.
  • Wang Zhengjun was born. She later became an important Empress of the western Han Dynasty in China. She passed away in 13 AD.

Notable Deaths

See also

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