Historical eventSeptember 1896

AD 96

Nerva (depicted), the first of the "Five Good Emperors" of ancient Rome, came to power following the assassination of his predecessor Domitian.

Everything on September 18Original source

In context

When
Sunday, September 18 961930 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
1st century · 90s
Calendar
Julian — as recorded at the time
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

Dates before 15 October 1582 are in the Julian calendar, so the weekday shown follows the Julian reckoning of the time.

At a glance

Dates: From 96.

What came beforeAI-assisted

Emperor Domitian ruled Rome from AD 81 to 96, implementing policies that created tension with the Senate and wealthy elites. His reign was marked by military campaigns, building projects, and increasing autocratic control that generated significant opposition among the aristocracy.

Catalyst / how it startedAI-assisted

Domitian's assassination on September 18, AD 96, occurred as a result of a conspiracy involving members of his household and Senate opponents who feared his tyranny. His wife Domitia and court officials orchestrated the plot, stabbing him to death in his palace.

Who was involvedAI-assisted

Emperor Domitian was the primary victim, while his wife Domitia Longina, chamberlain Parthenius, and other palace officials participated in the conspiracy. The Senate, particularly senators who had suffered under Domitian's rule, supported the coup and quickly moved to elect a successor.

TimelineAI-assisted

September 18, AD 96: Domitian was assassinated in his palace by conspirators including his wife and court officials. The same day, the Senate convened and elected Nerva as the new emperor, marking the beginning of the Nervan-Antonine dynasty.

What happened

AD 96 (XCVI) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Valens and Vetus. The denomination AD 96 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

September 18 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 96AD 96
  2. 2007Saffron Revolution
  3. 2009CBS Studios
  4. 2010Philippe Croizon
  5. 20112011 Sikkim earthquake
  6. 2013Via Rail
  7. 20142014 Scottish independence referendum
  8. 20152015 Camp Badaber attack
  9. 20162016 Uri attack
  10. 2017Toys "R" Us
  11. 2018Cannabis

Sources

Cite this page

“AD 96”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/ad-96-96-september-18, accessed October 28, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did AD 96 happen?

September 18 96 — 1930 years ago, on a Sunday.

Is this a Julian or a Gregorian date?

It is the date as recorded at the time, on the Julian calendar. The Gregorian equivalent falls about ten days later; sources from different countries may give either.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints. Panels marked AI-assisted were filled where the sources left a heading empty.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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