The world in the 2nd century

101–200

Around the 2nd century, construction of the ancient Roman Pantheon began in Rome. Originally a temple to all Roman gods, this rotunda was later converted into a Catholic church in the 7th century. Its harmonious classical proportions made it one of the most influential buildings of ancient Rome.

101–200

Starting in 141 AD, Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius began the construction of a temple in the Roman Forum to honor his wife Faustina. The temple was later partly converted into a church.

101–200

In 121 CE, Emperor Hadrian initiated the construction of the largest known temple in Ancient Rome, the Temple of Venus and Roma, on the Velian Hill between the Forum Romanum and the Colosseum. Dedicated to Venus Felix and Roma Aeterna, the temple was designed by Hadrian and later completed by his successor Antoninus Pius.

101–200World Heritage

In AD 122, the Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a defensive fortification across the northern boundary of the province of Britannia, later known as Hadrian's Wall.

101–200World Heritage

The Antonine Wall was the second major barrier built by the Roman Empire in northern Britain, located in what is now central Scotland. Stretching about 63 kilometres from the Firth of Clyde to the Firth of Forth, it stood about 3 metres high and 5 metres wide, constructed of turf on stone foundations with a deep ditch on the northern side for added security. It was built during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius, intended to supersede Hadrian's Wall as the northernmost frontier of the empire.

101–200World Heritage

In the early 2nd century AD (c. 101–200), the Roman Empire began constructing a defensive system along the borders of the province of Dacia (modern Romania), later known as the Dacian Limes. The system comprised ramparts, forts, and linked fortifications extending approximately 1,000 km, aimed at securing the imperial frontier.

101–200Syria Palaestina

The Theological Library of Caesarea Maritima was the library of the Christians of Caesarea Maritima in Syria Palaestina in antiquity. Its exact founding date is unknown, but it existed during the Roman period.

132–136Judaea

The Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 CE) was the last and most devastating of three major Jewish uprisings against the Roman Empire. Led by Simon bar Kokhba, the rebels established an independent state that endured over three years. The Roman suppression resulted in near-total depopulation of Judea, with mass killings, enslavement, and displacement.

101–200World Heritage

The Temple of Baalshamin was established in Palmyra, Syria, with its earliest phase dating to the late 2nd century BC. Dedicated to the Canaanite sky deity Baalshamin, it was expanded under Roman Emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century AD. Later converted into a church in the 5th century, it was destroyed by ISIS in 2015.

115

On 13 December 115 AD, a strong earthquake struck Antioch in the Roman Empire, with an estimated magnitude of 7.5 and maximum intensity of XI. The quake devastated Antioch and surrounding areas, causing great loss of life and property, and triggered a tsunami that damaged the harbour at Caesarea Maritima. Emperor Trajan and his successor Hadrian were trapped with only light injuries, and later began rebuilding the city.

139

In 139, an earthquake affected the ancient city of Mcurn (near modern Hösnek, Turkey). The event is listed in seismological records, but specific damage and casualties are unknown.

141

Between AD 141 and 142, a powerful earthquake struck the Roman provinces of Lycia and Caria, triggering a severe tsunami that caused major inundation. The shock affected Rhodes, Kos, Symi, and Serifos. The epicenter is uncertain, possibly near northern Rhodes, Marmaris, or the seabed east of Rhodes.

105洛阳县

Cai Lun of the Eastern Han is traditionally credited with improving papermaking, increasing success rate and lowering cost. Papermaking is considered one of the Four Great Inventions and greatly facilitated cultural transmission.

200

In 200 AD, warlords Cao Cao and Yuan Shao clashed at Guandu during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Cao Cao's numerically inferior forces achieved a decisive victory by burning Yuan's supplies, routing his army. This victory established Cao Cao as the dominant power in northern China, a turning point that led to the founding of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period.

101–200World Heritage

Around the 2nd century CE, Bagan was established as an ancient city in Myanmar's Mandalay Region, though its exact founding date is uncertain. It later became the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, which from the 9th to 13th centuries played a key role in unifying the regions of modern Myanmar, and saw the construction of over 10,000 Buddhist temples and pagodas between the 11th and 13th centuries.

101–200

St. Thomas Church is traditionally believed to have been founded in 140 AD in Mattom, Thrissur district, Kerala, India. It is one of the oldest churches in India and belongs to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur.

101–200Bogotá

The United Provinces of New Granada was proclaimed in the early 19th century in parts of the former Spanish Viceroyalty of New Granada. It adopted a federal government with a strong congress and a weak executive. The state existed during a period known as la Patria Boba, marking an early phase of independence movement in the Colombian region. The formation process around the 1810s lacks precise documentation.