The Second Century

The second century is the period spanning the years 101 to 200 in the Gregorian/Julian calendar. It is the second century in the historical system beginning with year 1. This century is marked by the expansion and subsequent consolidation of the Roman Empire at its height, and by economic and religious change in Asia and Africa.

Trade networks by land and sea—particularly the Silk Road and the Indian Ocean maritime routes—connected the Roman, Parthian, Indian, and Chinese empires. These connections transmitted goods, religious ideas, and also widespread disease.

The Roman Empire

Much of the second century was ruled by successive emperors known as the "Five Good Emperors," among them Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. The empire reached its greatest territorial extent in the early part of the century, after which a defensive frontier policy was adopted, exemplified by Hadrian's Wall in Britain. By the end of the century, frontier wars and epidemic disease (commonly called the Antonine Plague) strained both finances and military resources.

Asia

China was ruled by the Later Han dynasty, which by the end of the century faced internal conflict and peasant uprisings that weakened central authority. Northern India and Central Asia were home to the Kushan Empire, which promoted Buddhism and Silk Road trade. Parthia engaged in ongoing conflict with Rome along the Mesopotamian frontier.

Religion and Thought

Christianity spread from cities in the Near East to North Africa, Anatolia, and Rome, developing apologetic writings and early church organization. Meanwhile, Stoic and new Platonist philosophy continued to be studied, while Buddhism expanded across Central Asia into China.

Science and Culture

The century produced influential works: the astronomical and geographical treatise of Ptolemy, and the medical writings of Galen, which would serve as the foundation for medicine in Europe and the Islamic world for centuries to come. Roman art, monumental architecture, and an extensive road network continued to develop.