Editing AD 66 (section)

== Events ==

=== By place ===

==== Roman Empire ====
* [[September 22]] &ndash; Emperor [[Nero]] creates the [[Legio I Italica]]. He appoints [[Vespasian|Titus Flavius Vespasian]] as General of the army of [[Judea]], and Governor of Judea which gives him command of three legions — [[Legio V Macedonica|V Macedonica]], [[Legio X Fretensis|X Fretensis]] and [[Legio XV Apollinaris|XV Apollinaris]].<ref>Si Sheppard (2013). The Jewish Revolt 66–74, p. 20. {{ISBN|978-1-78096-183-5}}</ref>
* [[October]] &ndash; The [[First Jewish–Roman War|Jewish Revolt]] commences against the [[Roman Empire]]. The [[Zealots]] lay siege to [[Jerusalem]] and annihilate the Roman [[garrison]] (a [[cohort (military unit)|cohort]] of [[Legio III Cyrenaica]]). The [[Sicarii]] capture the fortress of [[Masada]] overlooking the [[Dead Sea]].
* Mid–late [[October]] &ndash; [[Cestius Gallus]], [[legatus|legate]] of [[Syria (Roman province)|Syria]], marches into Judea and leads a [[Roman army]] of 30,000 men to put down the [[Jews|Jewish]] rebellion. At its core is [[Legio XII Fulminata]], plus 2,000 selected men from the other three Syrian legions, six more [[Cohort (military unit)|cohort]]s of infantry and four [[Auxilia#Alae|alae]] of cavalry, plus over 14,000 [[auxiliaries]] furnished by Rome's eastern allies, including [[Herod Agrippa II]] and two other client kings, [[Antiochus IV of Commagene]] and [[Sohaemus of Emesa]], who lead their forces (largely [[Archery|archer]]s and cavalry) in person.<ref>Si Sheppard (2013). The Jewish Revolt 66–74 AD, p. 10. {{ISBN|978-1-78096-183-5}}</ref>
* Gallus leads his main force down the coast from [[Caesarea Maritima|Caesarea]] via [[Antipatris]] to [[Lod|Lydda]], detaching other units, by land and sea, to neutralize the rebel strongholds at [[Jaffa|Joppa]], [[Anabta|Narbata]] and the Tower of [[Aphek (biblical)|Aphek]]. With [[Galilee]] and the entire Judean coast in his hands, Gallus assumes his campaign before the winter [[rain]]s render the roads impassable. He turns inland and marches on Jerusalem, taking the road via the plain at [[Emmaus]]. Gallus succeeds in conquering [[Beit She'arim National Park|Beit She'arim]] (the "New City") on the [[Bezetha|Bezetha Hill]].<ref>Si Sheppard (2013). The Jewish Revolt 66–74 AD, p. 11. {{ISBN|978-1-78096-183-5}}</ref>   
* November &ndash; [[Battle of Beth Horon (66)|Battle of Beth-Horon]]: Gallus abandons the [[siege]] of Jerusalem and chooses, for uncertain reasons, to withdraw west to winter quarters, where he is [[ambush]]ed and defeated by Judean rebels. Some 5,300 Roman troops are killed, as well as all their [[pack animal]]s, their artillery (which is to serve the Jews of Jerusalem during [[Titus]]'s siege operations four years later), and the greatest disgrace of all, the [[Aquila (Roman)|eagle]] standard of Legio XII Fulminata. Gallus abandons his troops in disarray, fleeing to [[Syria]].<ref>Si Sheppard (2013). The Jewish Revolt 66–74 AD, pp. 14–16. {{ISBN|978-1-78096-183-5}}</ref>

==== Britannia ====
* [[Suetonius Paullinus]], governor of [[Roman Britain|Britannia]], becomes a [[List of Early Imperial Roman Consuls|Roman Consul]].
* The Roman [[Legio II Augusta]] is stationed at [[Gloucester]].

==== Asia ====
* [[Baekje]] invades [[Silla]] in the [[Korean Peninsula]], and captures Castle Ugok.

=== By topic ===

==== Arts and sciences ====
* [[Dioscorides]] writes his ''[[De Materia Medica (Dioscorides)|De Materia Medica]]'', a treatise on the methodical treatment of disease by use of [[medicine]] (approximate date).

==== Astronomy ====
* [[Halley's Comet]] is visible.

==== Religion ====
* The [[First Epistle to Timothy|first]] and [[Second Epistle to Timothy|second]] Epistles to [[Saint Timothy|Timothy]] are written (speculative date, if actually written by St. Paul).
* Paul in Asia Minor for second time after his release from Rome. Then probably goes to Greece. Second imprisonment in Rome.