20s

For the 20S proteasome, see Proteasome § 20S core particle.

This article is about the years 20–29 AD. For the years 20–29 in other centuries, see List of decades.

Not to be confused with 1820s, 1920s, or 2020s.

Millennium:	1st millennium
Centuries:	1st century BC – 1st century – 2nd century
Decades:	0s BC 0s 10s – 20s – 30s 40s 50s
Years:	20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
20s-related categories:	Births – Deaths – By country Establishments – Disestablishments

This is a list of events occurring in the 20s, ordered by year.

By place

Roman Empire

• Servius Sulpicius Galba is a Roman praetor.
• Emperor Tiberius is forced to order an investigation and a public trial in the Roman Senate, for the murder of Germanicus. Fearing he will be found guilty, Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso committed suicide.

Asia

• First year of Dihuang era of the Chinese Xin Dynasty.

By topic

Arts and sciences

• Philo defines philosophy as the maidservant of theology.

By place

Roman Empire

• Revolt of the Aedui under Julius Florus and Julius Sacrovir, suppressed by Gaius Silius.
• Emperor Tiberius is a Roman Consul for the fourth time.
• The Romans create a buffer state in the territory of the Quadi in southern Slovakia.
• Barracks are constructed for the Praetorian Guard on the Quirinal.

Asia

• King Daeso of Dongbuyeo is killed in battle against the armies of Goguryeo, led by its third ruler, King Daemusin.

By topic

Arts and sciences

• The manufacture of pens and metal writing tools begins in Rome.

By place

Roman Empire

• It is the ninth year of the emperor Tiberius.
• The consuls are Decimus Haterius Agrippa and Gaius Sulpicius Galba.
• Marcus Cocceius Nerva and Gaius Vibius Rufinus are consuls Ex Kal. Jul.
• Drusus Julius Caesar receives the tribunicia potestas (tribunician power).
• Roman law replaces Celtic customs in Gaul.

Asia

• Beginning of Later Han Dynasty in China.

By place

Roman Empire

• Greek geographer Strabo publishes Geography, a work covering the world known to the Romans and Greeks at the time of Emperor Augustus – it is the only such book to survive from the ancient world.
• Emperor Tiberius' son Julius Caesar Drusus dies. From that point forward, he seems to lose interest in the Empire and occupies himself with the pursuit of pleasure.
• Lucius Aelius Sejanus begins to dominate the Roman Senate and Tiberius, after the death of Drusus.
• Gaius Asinius Pollio and Gaius Antistius Vetus become consuls.

Asia

• Liu Xuan, a descendant of the Han Dynasty royal family and leader of insurgents against the Xin Dynasty, proclaims himself emperor against Wang Mang.
• July – After being under siege for two months, about 19,000 insurgents under Liu Xiu defeat 450,000 of Wang Mang's troops in the Battle of Kunyang, ushering in the fall of Wang Mang and restoration of the Han Dynasty in China.

By place

Roman Empire

• The Roman war against Numidia and Mauretania ends with their annexation.
• Servius Cornelius Cethegus and Lucius Visellius Varro become consuls.
• Charmides becomes Archon of Athens.
• Tacfarinas' revolt in Africa is repressed.

Asia

• King Yuri ascends to the Silla (Korea) throne.

Africa

• End of the Masinissa line of the rulers of Carthage.

By topic

Religion

• Philo declares that the Old Testament is the eternal law of God.

By place

Roman Empire

• Emperor Tiberius settles a dispute between Messenia and Sparta over the Ager Dentheliales on Mount Taygetus, awarding the land to Messenia.
• Lucius Aelius Sejanus unsuccessfully attempts to marry Livilla.
• Cossus Cornelius Lentulus, Marcus Asinius Agrippa become consuls.

Asia

• August 5 – The Han dynasty is restored in China as Liu Xiu proclaims himself Emperor Guangwu of Han, starting the Jianwu era (until 56).
• Luoyang becomes the capital of the Houhan or Eastern Han Dynasty.

By topic

Arts and sciences

• Pomponius Mela formalizes the climatic zone system.

By place

Roman Empire

• Pontius Pilate is appointed as prefect of Judea.
• Emperor Tiberius retires to Capri, leaving the Praetorian Guard under Lucius Aelius Sejanus in charge of the Roman Empire and the city of Rome.
• Romans crush an uprising of Thracian tribesmen.

By place

Roman Empire

• Lucius Calpurnius Piso and Marcus Licinius Crassus Frugi become Roman consuls.
• Fire in Rome.
• A poorly built amphitheatre in Fidenae collapses, killing 20,000 of the 50,000 spectators.
• Apricots are brought to Rome from Asia.
• An Arc of Triumph is erected in Rimini, in honor of Augustus.

By topic

Religion

• Baptism of Jesus, according to one dating scheme.

By place

Germania

• Roman legions in Germania are transported by fleet to fortress of Flevum on the Rhine to operate against the rebellious Frisians.
• The Frisians negotiate a treaty with the Roman Empire at the River Rhine, avoiding conquest.

Asia

• King Daru of Baekje succeeds to the throne of Baekje in the Korean peninsula.
• According to the Book of Luke, the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus began in this year.

By place

Roman Empire

• The Romans capture Serdica (modern Sofia), named after the Celtic tribe the Serdi.
• Agrippina the Elder is exiled to the island of Pandataria, and her sons (except Caligula) are imprisoned by Lucius Aelius Sejanus.

By topic

Religion

• Jesus baptized by John the Baptist (see 27).
• Jesus executed according to Roman Catholic tradition.

Significant people

• Tiberius, Roman Emperor (14–37)