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The first year of the first century AD was a relatively peaceful year in the Roman Empire. The emperor Augustus was at the height of his power, and the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and prosperity, was in full swing.
One of the most important events of the year was the birth of Jesus Christ. According to the Gospels, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Judea, in the year 4 BC. However, most scholars agree that he was actually born in 4 or 6 AD.
Another important event of the year was the death of Herod the Great, the king of Judea. Herod was a cruel and tyrannical ruler, and his death was met with widespread relief. After his death, Judea was divided into three parts, with his sons Archelaus, Antipas, and Philip ruling as tetrarchs.
In Rome, Augustus continued to consolidate his power. He established a new system of government, the Principate, which gave him absolute control over the empire. He also appointed a new prefect, Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, to govern Syria and Judea.
Quirinius's appointment led to a rebellion in Judea, led by Judas of Galilee. The rebellion was quickly crushed, but it was a sign of the growing discontent among the Jewish people.
Overall, the first year of the first century AD was a relatively peaceful year. However, there were some signs of unrest and change, which would come to the fore in the years to come.
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