View source for 53 BC

{{More citations needed|date=December 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2011}}
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{{BC year in topic|53}}
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Year '''53 BC''' was a year of the [[Roman calendar|pre-Julian Roman calendar]]. At the time, it was known as the '''Year of the Consulship of Messalla and Calvinus''' (or, less frequently, '''year 701 ''[[Ab urbe condita]]'''''). The denomination 53 BC 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.

== Events ==
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=== By place ===

==== Parthian Empire ====
* The [[Parthian Empire]] achieved a decisive victory against Rome at the [[Battle of Carrhae]], where [[General Surena]] defeated and killed Roman triumvir [[Marcus Licinius Crassus]]. According to some historical interpretations, the [[Mahestan]] (Parthian noble council) supported preparations for the defense of the empire and advised the king during the military mobilization.<ref name="ParthavaMahestan">{{cite web |title=Fundamentals of the Parthian Statehood |url=https://www.parthava.org/2022/05/27/fundamentals-of-the-parthian-statehood/ |website=Parthava |date=27 May 2022 |access-date=5 August 2025}}</ref>
==== Roman Republic ====
* [[Consul]]s: [[Marcus Valerius Messalla Rufus|Marcus Valerius Messalla]] and [[Gnaeus Domitius Calvinus]].
* [[Roman–Parthian Wars|Parthian War]]: 
** [[Marcus Licinius Crassus|Crassus]] sacks the Temple of [[Hierapolis]] and the [[Temple in Jerusalem]] on his way to engage the Parthians.
** [[May 6]] &ndash; [[Battle of Carrhae]]: Romans defeated, and Crassus killed, by Parthians led by General [[Surena]].
* [[Gallic Wars|Gallic War]]:
** [[Julius Caesar]] suppresses a [[Ambiorix's revolt|revolt]] led by [[Ambiorix]] near [[Sambre|Sabis]] (Northern [[Gaul]]).
** At [[Cenabum]] (modern [[Orléans]]) Roman [[merchant]]s are massacred by the [[Carnutes]].
** [[Vercingetorix]], an [[Arverni]] chieftain, leads a revolt against Caesar in Central Gaul.
** Winter &ndash; Caesar enrolls non-citizen soldiers in [[Gallia Narbonensis|Gallia Transalpina]], genesis of ''[[Legio V Alaudae]]''. He increases his army to ten [[Roman legion|legion]]s.<ref>Nic Fields (2010). Osprey: Command – Julius Caesar, (p. 20). {{ISBN|978-1-84603-928-7}}</ref>

==== Armenia ====
* [[Artavasdes II of Armenia|Artavasdes II]] becomes king of [[Armenia]].
</onlyinclude>

== Births ==
* [[Aristobulus III of Judea|Aristobulus III]], high priest of [[Jerusalem]] (d. [[36 BC]])
* [[Yang Xiong (author)|Yang Xiong]], Chinese politician and [[philosopher]] (d. [[AD 18]])

== Deaths ==
* [[May 6]] (executed after the [[Battle of Carrhae]])
** [[Marcus Licinius Crassus]], Roman politician and general
** [[Publius Licinius Crassus (son of triumvir)|Publius Licinius Crassus]], son of Marcus Licinius Crassus
* [[Abgar II]], Arab king of [[Edessa]] (modern [[Turkey]])
* [[Gaius Scribonius Curio (consul 76 BC)|Gaius Scribonius Curio]], Roman statesman and orator

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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[[Category:53 BC| ]]