Solomon's son Rehoboam ascends to the throne of the Kingdom of Judah after Solomon's death, leading to the division of the United Monarchy.
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What Happened in March?
The first Olympic games, the founding of dynasties, and legendary battles. Explore historic milestones from March that influenced today's world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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The approximate time when King Solomon is believed to have begun construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem.
The first recorded Olympic Games in ancient Greece take place in Olympia.
Israel's northern kingdom, Samaria, falls to the Assyrians, leading to the exile of the Israelites.
c. 597 BCE
The Babylonian army, led by Nebuchadnezzar II, captures Jerusalem in 597 BCE and deposes King Jehoiachin exiling him to Babylon. In his place, the Babylonians installed Mattaniah, as a puppet king, changing his name to Zedekiah, a vassal king meant to be loyal to Babylon.
Zedekiah would later rebel against Babylon, leading to the final destruction of Jerusalem in 587/586 BCE.
c. 586 BCE
The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem begins, leading to the eventual destruction of the First Temple.
486-483 BCE
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, dies at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India. More
The founding of the Qin Dynasty in China marks the beginning of Imperial China.
The Battle of Zama takes place in what is now Tunisia between a Roman army commanded by Scipio Africanus and a Carthaginian army commanded by Hannibal. The battle was part of the Second Punic War and resulted in such a severe defeat for the Carthaginians that they capitulated, while Hannibal was forced into exile.
Julius Caesar is assassinated by a group of Roman senators, including Brutus and Cassius, in the Roman Senate on March 15, 44 BCE (The Ides of March) at the Theatre of Pompey. The assassination resulted in the rise of the Roman Empire under Caesar's grandnephew, Octavian (Augustus).
The Roman poet Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso), is born in Sulmo, Italy. He went on to be a celebrated Roman poet during the Augustan Age and to author the "Metamorphoses", a 15-book epic poem weaving Greek and Roman myths of transformation from creation to his time, profoundly influencing Western literature.
He is also well known poems, The 'Fasti', which describes the rites of the pagan Roman calendar, and the 'Ars Amatoria' (the 'Art of Love'). His career ended in mysterious exile by Emperor Augustu. Ovid attributed it to "a poem and a mistake" (carmen et error), remains a literary mystery. He died in AD 17/18, still in exile at Tomis (modern Constanța, Romania)He is considered one of the three canonical poets of Latin literature; Virgil, Horace, and Ovid, all known for their major contributions to epic, lyric, and elegiac poetry during the Augustan Age of Rome.
c. 4 BCE,
Herod the Great is believed to have died in Jericho, c. the Spring of 4 BCE, His role in the Nativity was documented by the Gospel of Matthew, which recounts the visit of the Magi.
His death led to the end of centralized Herodian rule and the division of his kingdom among his sons, Archelaus, Antipas, and Philip, with Judea eventually falling under direct Roman control. He died after a prolonged and agonizing illness, likely caused by chronic kidney disease and severe genital gangrene (Fournier's gangrene).
Germanic tribes led by Arminius defeat the Roman legions at the Battle of Idistaviso.
Roman Emperor Tiberius dies, and Caligula becomes Emperor.
Caligula, Roman Emperor, is assassinated, and Claudius becomes the new Emperor.
Nero, Roman Emperor, is given the title of Pontifex Maximus, the high priest of the College of Pontiffs.
Roman Emperor Galba is assassinated by the Praetorian Guard, leading to the Year of the Four Emperors.
Roman Emperor Trajan dies, and Hadrian becomes Emperor.
Pertinax, Roman Emperor, is assassinated by the Praetorian Guard, leading to the Year of the Five Emperors.
Roman Emperor Elagabalus is assassinated, and Alexander Severus becomes emperor.