Birth of Origen, one of the early Church fathers, at Alexandria.
186. Many prominent Roman citizens are put to death, by order of Commodus.
187. Commodus degrades himself by acting as a gladiator and slaying wild beasts in the Circus at Rome. See "Beginning of Rome's Decline: Commodus," iii, [263].
188. Lightning strikes the Capitol at Rome; the library and many adjacent buildings are burned.
189. Revolt of Maternus in Spain and Gaul subdued by Pescennius Niger.
Famine and pestilence in Rome; popular commotions; the guards are overcome and Commodus is driven to Lanuvium; the populace is appeased by the sacrifice of Cleander. See "Beginning of Rome's Decline: Commodus," iii, [263].
191. Great fire at Rome; the temples of Vesta and of Peace are burned; many valuable libraries destroyed, in which some works of Galen's are lost.
192. Murder of Commodus.
193. Pertinax elected emperor by the Roman senate; he is later assassinated by the prætorians. The Imperial dignity is purchased by Didius Julianus; he is slain the same year. Albinus in Britain, Niger in Syria, and Septimus Severus in Pannonia are proclaimed emperors by their respective legions. Fall of Didius Julianus and accession of Severus.
194. In the East, Severus triumphs over his rival, Niger. Byzantium resists Severus.