Events
149 BC
By place
Roman Republic
The Third Punic War begins. The Romans land an army in Africa to begin the Battle of Carthage.
Servius Sulpicius Galba is prosecuted for corruption while serving in Spain, but is acquitted after he parades his weeping family members before the tribunal.
Lucius Calpurnius Piso passes the lex Calpurnia de repetundis which establishes the first permanent criminal court in Rome.
The turmoil in Spain escalates again with the renewal of the Lusitanian War, under the leadership of Viriathus, and the Celtiberian War.
Macedon
Andriscus, the last king of Macedon, ascends to the throne.
Bithynia
With Roman help, Nicomedes II overthrows his father Prusias II as king of Bithynia.
148 BC
This section is transcluded from 148 BC.
By place
Ireland
Corlea Trackway built in County Longford
Roman Republic
With the defeat of Andriscus in the Battle of Pydna by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus, Macedon is reorganized as a Roman province by 146 BC.
Construction of the Via Postumia, linking Aquileia and Genua.
Publius Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus divides Numidia among the three sons of the recently deceased Masinissa.
147 BC
This section is transcluded from 147 BC.
By place
Ireland
Corlea Trackway completed.
Roman Republic
Scipio Aemilianus takes command of the Siege of Carthage.
In Lusitania, Hispania, the Celtic king Viriathus, rallies Lusitanian resistance to Rome.
Syria
Demetrius II of Syria returns to Syria (approximate date).
Jonathan Maccabaeus conquers Joppa.
Greece
Macedonia becomes a part of the Roman empire.
146 BC
This section is transcluded from 146 BC.
By place
Roman Republic
Roman armies destroy Carthage and Corinth.
Africa
Spring – Carthage falls to Roman forces under Scipio Aemilianus and the city is completely destroyed. End of the Third Punic War.
Greece
Achaean War: The Romans conquer the Achaean League and southern Greece becomes a Roman province.
Battle of Scarpheia: The Romans led by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus defeat an Achaean League force under Critolaus
Battle of Corinth: The Romans under Lucius Mummius defeat the Achaean League near Corinth. Corinth is destroyed, and the Achaean League dissolved.
By topic
Astronomy
Hipparchus determines the equinoctial point.
145 BC
This section is transcluded from 145 BC.
By place
Syria
In the Battle of Antioch, Ptolemy VI Philometor defeats the Seleucid usurper Alexander Balas, but dies in the battle.
Egypt
Ptolemy VII becomes king of Egypt briefly, then is assassinated by Ptolemy VIII the following year.
By topic
Astronomy
Hipparchus determines the length of the tropical year.
144 BC
This section is transcluded from 144 BC. (edit | history)
By place
Roman Republic
Quintus Marcius Rex starts construction of the Aqua Marcia aqueduct in Rome.
Parthia
Parthians take Babylonia.
143 BC
This section is transcluded from 143 BC. (edit | history)
By place
Roman Republic
The Celtiberian War ends when Quintus Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus crushes the rebels.
142 BC
This section is transcluded from 142 BC. (edit | history)
By place
Syria
Diodotus Tryphon seizes the throne of the Seleucid Empire.
Roman Republic
The first stone bridge over the Tiber river is completed.
Judea
Simon Maccabaeus succeeds his brother Jonathan as High Priest of Judea until 135 BC.
141 BC
This section is transcluded from 141 BC. (edit | history)
By place
Syria and Judea
The Seleucid garrison negotiates the surrender of Jerusalem. Simon Maccabaeus assumes control of the city. He becomes prince (ruler) of Judea until 135 BC.
Demetrius II of Syria made prisoner of Mithridates, king of the Parthians. Antiochus VII Sidetes becomes king of the Seleucid Empire in his absence.
Bactria
Yuezhi refugees appear on the borders of the Greco-Bactrian kingdom.
China
March 9 – Emperor Wu of Han ("Martial Emperor") starts to rule the Han dynasty.
140 BC
This section is transcluded from 140 BC. (edit | history)
By place
Africa
Scipio Aemilianus leads a group of Roman ambassadors to Alexandria, where they meet with King Ptolemy VIII.
Judea
Simon Maccabaeus crowned king of Judea.
Births
145 BC
Sima Qian, Chinese historian (or 135 BC) (d. 86 BC)[6]
143 BC
Marcus Antonius, Roman politician and orator (d. 87 BC)
142 BC
Ptolemy IX, Egyptian pharaoh (d. 81 BC)
141 BC
Salome Alexandra, queen and regent of Judea (d. 67 BC)
140 BC
Huo Qubing, Chinese general of the Han dynasty (d. 117 BC)
Lucius Licinius Crassus, Roman consul and statesman (d. 91 BC)
Su Wu, Chinese diplomat and statesman (d. 60 BC)[7]
Tigranes the Great, king of Armenia (d. 55 BC)
Deaths
149 BC
Cato the Elder, Roman statesman (b. 234 BC)[8]
Prusias II, Greek king of Bithynia (b. c. 220 BC)
148 BC
Liu Rong, Chinese crown prince of the Han dynasty
Masinissa, king of Numidia (b. c. 238 BC)
Yuan Ang, Chinese statesman of the Han dynasty
147 BC
Bo, Chinese empress of the Western Han Dynasty
146 BC
Critolaus, general of the Achaean League
Gentius, the last king of Illyria (approximate date)
145 BC
Alexander Balas (assassinated)
Ptolemy VI of Egypt (killed in battle) (b. c. 186 BC)
144 BC
Liu Wu (aka Prince Xiao of Liang), Chinese prince of the Han dynasty
143 BC
Jonathan Maccabaeus, Jewish leader of the Maccabees
Zhou Yafu, Chinese general of the Han Dynasty
141 BC
Jing of Han, Chinese emperor of the Han dynasty (b. 188 BC)[9]
Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica Corculum, Roman statesman