AD 9 facts for kids

AD 9 (which stands for "Anno Domini 9") was a year that started on a Tuesday in the old Julian calendar. In the powerful Roman Empire, people knew it as the "Year of the Consulship of Sabinus and Camerinus." This was because Sabinus and Camerinus were the top leaders, called consuls, that year. Sometimes, it was also called "762 Ab urbe condita," which means "762 years since the founding of Rome." The way we say "AD 9" for this year became popular much later, during the medieval period, when the Anno Domini (meaning "in the year of the Lord") way of counting years became common in Europe.

Important Events of AD 9

Changes in China

A New Dynasty Begins

• On January 10, a man named Wang Mang started a new ruling family, or dynasty, in China. This new family was called the Xin dynasty. It was a short-lived dynasty, lasting until AD 25.
• Wang Mang made his wife, Wang, the empress. He also named his son, Wang Lin, the Crown Prince, meaning he would be the next ruler.
• The previous empress, Empress Wang, was given a new title. The former emperor, Ruzi Ying, was placed under house arrest. This meant he could not leave his home.

Events in the Roman Empire

The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest

• Around September 9, a huge battle happened in a forest called Teutoburg Forest. Three powerful Roman armies, known as legions (Legio XVII, Legio XVIII, and Legio XIX), were tricked by a Germanic leader named Arminius.
• Arminius led his tribe, the Cherusci, and their allies in an ambush. The Roman armies were badly defeated.
• The Roman general and governor, Publius Quinctilius Varus, died in the battle. The special eagle symbols of the legions, called aquilae, were also lost.
• To replace the lost armies, three other Roman legions (Legio II Augusta, Legio XX Valeria Victrix, and Legio XIII Gemina) were sent to Germany.

Roman Control and Laws

• The "Great Illyrian Revolt" in a Roman area called Dalmatia was finally stopped. This was a big uprising that had lasted for some time.
• This year also marked the first time the Roman province of Illyricum was officially split into two parts: lower (Pannonia) and upper (Dalmatia).
• A new law called the Lex Papia Poppaea was passed in Italy. This law encouraged more people to get married and have children. It aimed to increase the population.
• The Roman government faced money problems after the revolt and the big battle. To get more money, they added two new taxes: a five percent tax on things people inherited and a one percent tax on sales.
• In Britain, Cunobeline became king of the Catuvellauni tribe. His kingdom was centered at Camulodunum, which is now the modern city of Colchester.

Important People of AD 9

Famous Births

• November 17 – Vespasian, who would later become a powerful Roman emperor, was born. (He died in AD 79).

Notable Deaths

• September 15 – Publius Quinctilius Varus, the Roman general who lost the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, died. (He was born around 46 BC).
• Marcus Caelius, a brave Roman soldier called a centurion, also died. (He was born around 45 BC).

See Also

• List of state leaders in 9 AD