96

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Year 96 (XCVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Valens and Vetus (or, less frequently, year 849 Ab urbe condita). The denomination 96 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

Events

By place

Roman Empire

• September 18 – Emperor Domitian is stabbed to death by a freedman at age 44 after a 15-year reign in a palace conspiracy involving officers of the Praetorian Guard. The Flavian dynasty ends.
• Nerva is declared emperor by the Senate as the new ruler of the Roman Empire. He recalls citizens exiled by Domitian, this is the beginning of the Era of the Five Good Emperors. The Antonines dynasty starts.
• Under Nerva, the Roman Senate regains much of the power usurped by Domitian.
• Marcus Ulpius Traianus becomes governor of Upper Germany.
• Construction begins on the Forum of Nerva in Rome.
• The Arch of Titus is completed in Rome.

By topic

Arts and sciences

• End of the period covered by Tacitus in his Histories.

Religion

• The Book of Revelation is written (traditional date).
• A schism in Buddhism creates a new, popular religion in India, mahâyâna (Grand Vehicle).

Births

Deaths

• September 18 – Domitian, Roman emperor
• Statius, Latin poet

References