The death of the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius is often regarded as marking the end of the Pax Romana.
Date given in the Julian calendar.
The Roman Empire nearly collapses under civil wars, invasions, plague and economic crisis until Diocletian's accession.
On Emperor Hadrian's orders, the Romans begin building a defensive wall across northern Britain.
By the end of Emperor Trajan's reign the Roman Empire stretches from Britain to Mesopotamia.
Emperor Titus inaugurates the Flavian Amphitheatre in Rome with games lasting many days.
Mount Vesuvius erupts, burying the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash and pumice and preserving them to this day.
A great fire destroys much of Rome under Emperor Nero, who afterwards blames the city's Christians.