AD 4 facts for kids

The year AD 4 was a time long ago, almost 2,000 years ago! It was a common year in the Julian calendar, which was used by the Roman Empire. People in the Roman Empire sometimes called it the 'Year of the Consulship of Catus and Saturninus'. The name 'AD 4' became popular much later, during the medieval period, when people started using the Anno Domini (A.D.) way of counting years.

Events

Roman Empire

In the powerful Roman Empire, Emperor Augustus made some big decisions about who would rule after him.

• He called Tiberius to Rome and chose him as his heir, meaning Tiberius would become the next emperor.
• Augustus also adopted Agrippa Postumus, another young man, as an heir.
• Tiberius, in turn, adopted Germanicus as his heir. This meant Germanicus was next in line after Tiberius.
• A new law called the Lex Aelia Sentia was created. It set rules for how slaves could become free. This process was called manumission.
• The Roman Empire, led by Tiberius, signed a peace and friendship agreement with a German tribe called the Cherusci. Their king was Segimer.
• As part of the agreement, Segimer's sons, Arminius and Flavus, joined the Roman army as leaders.
• Julia the Elder, Emperor Augustus's daughter, was allowed to return from exile. She went to live in Rhegium, but she was still not allowed to be part of Roman society.
• Livilla married Drusus Julius Caesar, who was the son of Tiberius.

Middle East

• In the Parthian Empire, King Phraataces and Queen Musa of Parthia were overthrown and killed.
• The crown was then offered to Orodes III of Parthia. This period was a time of change for the Parthian leadership.

Korea

• In the Korean kingdom of Silla, Namhae Chachaung became the new king. He took over after Bak Hyeokgeose.

China

• In China, Emperor Ping of Han married Empress Wang (Ping). She was the daughter of a powerful official named Wang Mang. This marriage helped Wang Mang gain more influence.
• Wang Mang was given an important title: "superior duke."

Arts and Sciences

• A writer named Nicolaus of Damascus finished his large work called History of the World. It had 15 volumes!

Births

• Columella, a Roman writer who wrote in Latin (died in AD 70)
• Daemusin, a Korean king of Goguryeo (died in AD 44)
• Publius Quinctilius Varus the Younger, a Roman nobleman (died in AD 27)
• Possible date – Jesus, a Jewish preacher and religious leader (passed away around AD 30/33)

Deaths

• February 21 – Gaius Caesar, son of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder (born in 20 BC)
• June 26 – Ariobarzanes II, a Roman client king of Armenia (born in 40 BC)
• Gaius Asinius Pollio, a Roman speaker, poet, and historian (born in 65 BC)
• Hyeokgeose, a Korean king of Silla (born in 75 BC)
• Lucius Cornelius Lentulus, a Roman consul

See Also

• List of state leaders in 4 AD