What Happened in March?

Solomon's son Rehoboam ascends to the throne of the Kingdom of Judah after Solomon's death, circa 931 BCE, leading to the division of the United Monarchy into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. The split is seen as a fulfilled biblical  prophecy, leaving the House of David with only the southern, smaller kingdom. Expand +

The first recorded Olympic Games in ancient Greece take place in Olympia.

Israel northern Kingdom capital city of Samaria falls to the Assyrians in 722 BCE after a three-year siege by the Assyrian Empire, Initiated by Shalmaneser V and completed by Sargon II, The conquest resulted in the deportation of thousands of Israelites to Media and Mesopotamia, effectively ending the northern kingdom. Samaria was later rebuilt by Herod the Great as Sebaste.

The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem begins, leading to the eventual destruction of the First Temple.

Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, dies at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India. More

Pyrrhus of Epirus, a Greek king and statesman of the Hellenistic period, known as a skilled but reckless military leader and for his Pyrrhic victories against Rome is killed in 272 BCE, while fighting in the streets of Argos The phrase "Pyrrhic victory" is now use to describe wins that cost too much.

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.  Expand +

Herod the Great is believed to have died in Jericho, c. the Spring of 4 BCE, sometime in March to April. His role in the Nativity was documented by the Gospel of Matthew, which recounts the visit of the Magi. Expand +

Roman Emperor Tiberius dies, and Caligula becomes Emperor.

The Roman legions led by Germanicus, decisively defeat the Cherusci forces tribes led by Arminius near the Weser River, at the battle of Idistaviso although Arminius was able to escape. The victory  avenged the Teutoburg Forest disaster.

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.

The unpopular Roman Emperor Elagabalus and his mother were assassinated by the Praetorian Guard on March 13, 222 CE and Alexander Severus, Praetorian's 13-year-old cousin becomes emperor; leading to a more stable reign, although he ruled under the strong guidance of his mother, Julia Mamaea.

Roman Emperor Diocletian issues his first edict for the persecution of Christians, ordering the destruction of churches, burning of scriptures, and loss of civil rights for Christians. The "Diocletianic persecution of Christians" went on for eight years ending in 311, CE even though Diocletian abdicated in 305 CE