Ancient World
Gracchi Reforms (133-121 BC): Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
Both brothers were killed by political opponents, but their land commission redistributed public land and their methods shaped Roman politics until the fall of the Republic.
Era · c. 3000 BC – AD 500
Ancient World
The first cities, empires and written records, from the pyramids of Egypt to Greece and the Roman Empire.
Ancient World
Hexi Corridor: Han China's Gateway to the Silk Road
Han China took control of the corridor, cut the Xiongnu off from the Qiang peoples and secured the main overland route to Central Asia.
Ancient World
Battle of Mobei (119 BC): Han Armies Strike the Xiongnu
Han victory; the Xiongnu chanyu fled north and the Xiongnu court withdrew from the lands south of the Gobi, but Han lost most of its war horses.
Ancient World
Jade Burial Suits of Liu Sheng and Dou Wan: Han Royal Tombs
The excavation revealed two intact Western Han royal tombs and the first complete jade burial suits ever found, now in the Hebei Museum.
Ancient World
Heliodorus Pillar: A Greek Envoy's Tribute to Vishnu, 113 BC
A Greek ambassador dedicated a Garuda standard to Vasudeva, leaving one of the earliest dated records of Vishnu devotion.
Ancient World
Cimbrian War (113-101 BC): Germanic Migrants Threaten Rome
After a decade of Roman defeats, Marius destroyed the Teutones at Aquae Sextiae (102 BC) and the Cimbri at Vercellae (101 BC), ending the threat to Italy.
Ancient World
Jugurthine War (112-105 BC): Rome Against the King of Numidia
Jugurtha was betrayed by Bocchus of Mauretania, handed to Sulla and executed in Rome; Numidia was divided among Roman client kings.
Ancient World
Han Conquest of Gojoseon (108 BC): Fall of Korea's First State
Han victory; Wiman Joseon was destroyed and replaced by four Han commanderies, of which Lelang lasted until AD 313.
Ancient World
Marian Reforms (107 BC): How Gaius Marius Changed the Legion
Roman legions increasingly recruited volunteers from the poor, became more uniform and professional, and looked to their generals for rewards.
Ancient World
Battle of Arausio (105 BC): Rome's Disaster Against the Cimbri
Decisive victory of the Cimbri and their allies; two Roman armies were destroyed, and Rome turned to Gaius Marius.
Ancient World
War of the Heavenly Horses (104-101 BC): Han China vs Dayuan
After a failed first campaign, Han besieged the Dayuan capital in 102-101 BC; the Dayuan nobles killed their king and handed over horses, and Han prestige in Central Asia rose.
Ancient World
Sima Qian and the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji)
Sima Qian completed a 130-chapter history of China from the legendary Yellow Emperor to his own day, which became the model for the official dynastic histories.