Timeline: Lucian of Samosata Project

It is estimated that Lucian lived from 120 to 200 AD. The following timeline places Lucian within the greater events of his time, which undoubtably influenced his life and writings. Here and there, readers of Lucian can pick up clues to historical events in Lucian's writings but most of his writings are ahistorical in focus or set in the past. All events mentioned by Lucian in his writings or occurred in his life are highlighted in red in the timeline.

The chronology for Lucian's life is taken from Fowler's “Introduction: Life” to Lucian's Works. Fowler's timeline is welcome; however, all timelines for Lucian are speculative due to a lack of concrete detail.

Lucian is born at Samosata in the former Kingdom of Commagene. (ca. 120 AD)

Lucian's Birthplace

• Emperor Hadrian visits Britian
• Hadrian gives up the territories conquered in Scotland
• During a voyage to Greece, Hadrian is initiated in the ancient rites known as the Eleusinian Mysteries
• The Satires of Juvenal intimate that bread and circuses (panem et circenses) keep the Roman people happy
• Hadrian, acting on the advice of his proconsul of Asia, Minucius Fundanus, determines that Christians shall not be put to death without a trial
• Roman agriculture declines as imports from Egypt and North Africa depress wheat prices, making it unprofitable to farm and forcing many farmers off the land
• Hadrian begins his inspection of the provinces of Greece, Asia Minor and Egypt
• The fossils of large prehistoric animals are discovered in Dalmatia
• Emperor Hadrian continues his voyages, now inspecting Caria, Cappadocia and Syria

• A law is passed in Rome banning the execution of slaves without a trial
• Edict of Hadrian prohibiting the practice of circumcision
• The messianic, charismatic Jewish leader Simon bar Kokhba starts a war of liberation for Judea (Bar Kokhba revolt) against the Romans, which is eventually crushed (in 135) by emperor Hadrian
• The legion X Fretensis must evacuate Jerusalem, returning to Caesarea. The Jews enter the city and re-establish their system of sacrifices. They strike coins to celebrate their independence, which would last for only 30 months. The legion XXII Deiotariana, which advanced from Egypt, is completely destroyed
• Sextus Julius Severus, governor of Britain, is sent to Judea (from 136 renamed Syria Palaestina) to quell a revolt
• A law improving the lot of free workers is passed in Rome
• Roman Empire. The Bar Kokhba revolt in Judea (132–135)
• Sextus Julius Severus, governor of Judea, begins in the summer an campaign against the Jewish rebel strongholds in the mountains
• The Romans retake Jerusalem. The largely destroyed city is renamed Aelia Capitolina
• The Bar Kokhba revolt ends and, with it, Judean independence. Simon bar Kokhba is killed after 13 December in Betar, the fortress in which he had taken refuge. Resistance continues in Galilee
• A Jewish diaspora begins as emperor Hadrian bars Jews from Jerusalem and has survivors of the massacre dispersed across the Roman Empire. Many pour into Mediterranean ports, to be sold into slavery
• Jerusalem is renamed Colonia Aelia Capitolina, in honor of Hadrian. Legio VI Ferrata rebuilds the legionary fortress in the city and constructs a Roman temple at Golgotha
• Epictetus dictates the Enchiridion
• February 25, 138 – Emperor Hadrian makes Antoninus Pius his successor, on condition that he adopts Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus
• July 10, 138 – Hadrian dies after a heart failure at Baiae, he is buried at Rome in the Gardens of Domitia beside his wife, Vibia Sabina
• Antoninus Pius succeeds Hadrian as Roman Emperor and asks the Senate to confer divine honors for Hadrian
• The silver content of the Roman denarius falls to 75 percent under emperor Antoninus Pius, down from 87 percent under the reign of Hadrian
• Marcus Aurelius is named Caesar. He marries Faustina the Younger, daughter of Antoninus Pius

• During the waning days of the Pax Romana, Lucian sets forth on the road to fame using words (rhetoric) rather than deeds. Rhetoricians in the 2nd Century AD were revered members of society who often were listed in the city annals.
• Amongst his burgeoning talents were speaking on behalf of a client, writing speeches for deliverance by a client, instructing pupils, and giving public displays of skill and artistry.
• His surviving pieces from this period are The Tyrannicide, The Disinherited, Phalaris I & II, The Hall, The Fly, Dipsas, and perhaps Demosthenes.

• Marcion arrives in Rome, bringing Evangelikon and Apostolikon to the Christian community
• Ptolemy completes his Almagest
• Emperor Antoninus Pius orders the construction of the Antonine Wall
• Marcion proclaims that the Old Testament is incompatible with Christianity
• Herodes Atticus is appointed by emperor Antoninus Pius as Roman Consul
• Marcion of Sinope is excommunicated; a sect, Marcionism, grows out of his beliefs
• The Emperor Antoninus Pius hosts a series of grand games to celebrate Rome's 900th anniversary

• Lucian continues his career in rhetoric earning income in Ionia, Greece, Italy, and Gaul. He claims to be one of the top rhetoricians in Gaul who were able to ask for high fees.
• Around 150 AD, Lucian composes the dialogue Nigrinus, a piece that contrasts the noise and vulgarity of Rome with the peace and culture of Athens. This work treats Philosophy with respect and regard. Later, Lucian would make Philosophy one of his largest targets to satirize in his attempt to bring Philosophy down from the heavens. The dialogue Hermotimus is perhaps his most scathingly logical invective against Philosophy.

• The Germans of the east move south, into the Carpathians and Black Sea area
• Marcion of Sinope produces his bible canon, consisting a purged versions of the Gospel of Luke and ten Pauline letters
• The earliest atlas (Ptolemy's Geography) is made
• Emperor Antoninus Pius starts a new war against the Parthians who are led by Vologases IV. The war is brief and results in an inconclusive peace
• Rome states that while it will not be recognized as an official religion, Judaism must be tolerated
• To restore peace between the Jews and Romans, Antoninus relegalizes circumcision
• The Romans begin to abandon Hadrian's Wall
• The earliest dated use of Sol Invictus, in a dedication from Rome

• Around this time, having travelled near and far throughout the empire, Lucian may have written his Patriotism out of a yearning for home.
• In these years, it may be presumed that Lucian resides in Antioch where he composed The Portrait Study and How to Write History. Lucius Verus (Co-Emperor of Rome with Marcus Aurelius) was in Antioch in 162 or 163 AD on his way to the Parthian War, and The Portrait Study is a treatise on Verus' mistress Panthea, whom he saw in Antioch.
• After being in Antioch, Lucian settled in Athens. On this journey, Lucian encountered Alexander, the man who was satirized in Lucian's dialogue of the same name.
• In his 40th year, Lucian proclaims his abandonment of Rhetoric by taking up Comic Dialogue instead. As Fowler indicates, “Between Rhetoric and Dialogue there was a feud, which had begun when Socrates five centuries before had fought his battles with the sophists. Rhetoric appeals to the emotions and obscures the issues (such had been Socrates's position); the way to elicit truth is by short question and answer. The Socratic method, illustrated by Plato, had become, if not the only, the accredited instrument of philosophers, who, so far as they are genuine, are truth-seekers; Rhetoric had been left to the legal persons whose object is not truth but victory.”.

• March 7, 161 – 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
• Lucius Verus begins a war with the Parthians, due to the invasion of Syria and Armenia by Vologases IV of Parthia. - Referred to in Lucian's “How to Write History”
• Arrian publishes Indica, a work on India and its people
• The governor of Syria, Avidius Cassius, one of Lucius Verus' generals, crosses the Euphrates and invades Parthian territory
• The Antonine Wall in Scotland is abandoned by the Romans
• A Roman military operation under Avidius Cassius is successful against Parthia, capturing Artaxata, Seleucia on the Tigris, and Ctesiphon. The Parthians sue for peace
• A pandemic known as the Antonine Plague breaks out in Rome after the Roman army returns from Parthia. The plague significantly depopulates the Roman Empire
• Discourse to the Greek (Oratio ad Graecos), by the Syrian Tatian, is the first treatise on the evils of paganism in Christian literature
• Conflict erupts on the Danube frontier between Rome and the Germanic tribe of the Marcomanni
• Emperor Marcus Aurelius appoints his sons as Caesars, while he and Lucius Verus travel to Germany
• End of the war with Parthia: The Parthians leave Armenia and eastern Mesopotamia, which both become Roman protectorates
• The Marcomanni tribe wages war against the Romans at Aquileia. They destroyed aqueducts and irrigation conduits. Marcus Aurelius repels the invaders, ending the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) that kept the Roman Empire free of conflict since the days of emperor Augustus
• Emperor Marcus Aurelius and his stepbrother Lucius Verus leave Rome, and establish their headquarters at Aquileia
• Marcus Aurelius becomes sole Roman Emperor upon the death of Lucius Verus

• From 165 AD until the end of the 170's, Lucian wrote mostly Comic Dialogues, the following being his most prominent examples: The Liar, Dialogues of the Hetaerae, Dialogues of the Dead, Dialogues of the Gods, Menippus, Icaromenippus, Zeus Cross-Examined, Timon, Charon, A Voyage to the Lower World, The Sale of Creeds, The Fisher, Zeus Tragoedus, The Rooster, The Double Indictment, & The Ship.
• In 169 AD at the Olympic Games, Lucian watches Peregrinus commit suicide by pyre. Lucian subsequently writes a treatise condemning Peregrinus and his desire for glory.
• Lucian may have written his most famous piece, True History, in this period.

• The Suebian tribes of the Marcomanni cross the Danube and invade northern Italy. The Roman army (20,000 men) is destroyed near Carnuntum in Pannonia
• The Marcomanni plunder Opitergium (modern Oderzo) and besiege Aquileia. This is the first time hostile forces entered Italy since 101 BC
• Emperor Marcus Aurelius writes in Sirmium (Pannonia) his first of 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek
• Marcus Aurelius orders humane treatment for Christians and slaves throughout the Roman Empire
• The fundamental works of Ptolemy on cartography are published
• Emperor Marcus Aurelius forms a new military command, the praetentura Italiae et Alpium. Aquileia is relieved, and the Marcomanni are evicted from Roman territory
• Marcus Aurelius signs a peace treaty with the Quadi and the Sarmatian Iazyges. The Germanic tribes of the Hasdingi (Vandals) and the Lacringi become Roman allies
• Montanism spreads through the Roman Empire
• Marcus Aurelius suppresses a revolt of Avidius Cassius, governor of Syria, after the latter proclaims himself emperor
• Commodus, son of Marcus Aurelius and his wife Faustina, is named Caesar
• December 23, 176 – Emperor Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus enter Rome after a campaign north of the Alps and receive a triumph for their victories over the Germanic tribes.
• Commodus is given the title Augustus and is made co-emperor with the same status as his father Marcus Aurelius
• Marcus Aurelius begins a systematic persecution of Christians at Rome, the followers take refuge in the catacombs
• Second Marcomannic War: Marcus Aurelius and Commodus begin war against the Quadi and the Marcomanni
• The Montanist heresy is condemned for the first time
• Emperor Marcus Aurelius crosses the Danube with an expeditionary force, he subdue the Marcomanni and their allies. In a pact signed with the Germanic tribes, he imports them into occupy areas of the Roman Empire that had been depopulated by the plague

• Lucian goes into semi-retirement. He begins writing less dialogues and more pointed pieces like Book Fancier, The Rhetorician's Vade Mecum, & Life of Demonax
• Quite old, Lucian begins his work at his well-paid post in Egypt.

• March 17 – Emperor Marcus Aurelius dies after a week's illness at his camp in Vindobona (modern Vienna). He is succeeded by his son Commodus (age 18)
• The Era of the Five Good Emperors ends
• Rome creates a 4-mile wide buffer zone by the Danube
• In his Methodus Medendo, Greek physician Galen describes the connection between paralysis and the severing of the spinal cord
• Galen's popular work on hygiene is published
• Commodus creates an official cult of the Zoroastrian god Mithra
• The Antonine Wall is overrun in Britannia
• Emperor Commodus escapes death at the hands of assassins, who have attacked him at the instigation of his sister Lucilla and a large group of senators. He puts many distinguished Romans to death on charges of being implicated in the conspiracy, Lucilla is exiled to Capri
• An assassination attempt on Roman Emperor Commodus by members of the Senate fails
• The Antonine Wall in Britannia is permanently abandoned
• Emperor Commodus drains Rome's treasury to put on gladiatorial spectacles and confiscates property to support his pleasures. He participated as a gladiator and boasts of victory in 1,000 matches in the Circus Maximus
• Irenaeus writes that there are only four Gospels
• Plague (possibly smallpox) kills as many as 2,000 people per day in Rome. Farmers are unable to harvest their crops and food shortages bring riots in the city

• Last decade of Lucian's life.
• It is highly unlikely that Lucian died by being torn apart by dogs (as stated in the Suda). The real circumstances of his death are unknown.
• Lucian's writings were later compiled by an unknown editor. After his death, Lucian continued to be read and copied. Lucian will make a resurgance in the Renaissance of Europe.

• A part of Rome burns, and Emperor Commodus orders the city to be rebuilt under the name Colonia Commodiana
• Cleomedes teaches that the moon does not glow on its own, but rather reflects sunlight
• December 31 – Emperor Commodus alarms the Senate by appearing dressed as a gladiator for his new consulship (January 1). His mistress, Marcia, finds her name on the imperial execution list and hires the champion wrestler named Narcissus to assassinate Commodus. The Antonines dynasty ends
• Civil war again strikes Rome (192–193)
• January 1, 193 – Year of the Five Emperors: The Senate chooses Publius Helvius Pertinax, against his will to succeed the late Commodus as Emperor
• Pertinax is forced to reorganize the handling of finances, which was wrecked under Commodus, and to reestablish discipline in the Roman army
• March 28, 193 – Pertinax is assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard, who storm the imperial palace. The Empire is auctioned off, Marcus Didius Julianus the highest bidder, offers 300 million sesterces for the throne
• April 9, 193 – Lucius Septimius Severus is proclaimed Emperor by his troops in Illyricum (Balkans). He marches with his army (16 legions) to Rome
• June 1, 193 – Septimius Severus enters the capital and has Julianus put to death. He replaces the Praetorian Guard with a 15,000 man force from the Danubian legions
• Septimius Severus finally gains control of the Roman Empire, in Britain Clodius Albinus allies with him and accepted the title of Caesar. The Severan dynasty starts
• Irenaeus declares Gnostic doctrines to be heretical
• The province of Syria is divided and the role of Antioch is diminished. The Romans annexed the Syrian city's Edessa and Nisibis (modern Turkey). Severus re-establishes his headquarters and colonies there
• Septimius Severus, who had spared the Senate at the beginning of his reign, now excludes it from controlling the Roman empire by declaring a military dictatorship