161

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Year 161 (CLXI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Caesar and Aurelius (or, less frequently, year 914 Ab urbe condita). The denomination 161 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

• March 7
  • Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by Marcus Aurelius who shares imperial power with Lucius Verus, although Marcus retains the title Pontifex Maximus.
  • Marcus Aurelius, a Spaniard like Trajan and Hadrian, is a stoical, disciple of Epictetus, and an energetic man of action. He pursues the policy of his predecessor and maintains good relations with the Senate. As a legislator, he endeavours to create new principles of morality and humanity, particularly favouring women and slaves.
• The weight of a goldpiece, the aureus, is reduced from 7.81 grams under Aurelius to 7.12 grams.
• Autumn
  • The Parthians invade Armenia and install their own candidate on the throne. Destruction of a legion, perhaps Legio IX Hispana at Elegia.

By topic

Arts and sciences

• Gaius' Institutiones are published.

Commerce

• The silver content of the Roman denarius falls to 68 percent under emperor Marcus Aurelius, down from 75 percent under Antoninus Pius.

Births

• August 31 – Commodus, Roman emperor (d. 192)
• Liu Bei, founder of the Shu Kingdom of China (d. 223)
• Lü Dai, general of Wu (d. 256)

Deaths

• March 7 – Antoninus Pius, Roman Emperor (b. 86)

References