80s BC

File:1stMithritadicwar89BC.svg

A map of Greece, Anatolia and the Middle East in 89 BC on the eve of the First Mithridatic War.

80s BC is the time period from 89 BC – 80 BC.

In the Roman Republic, the Social War ends, successfully putting down rebellion in Italy, and giving free Italians full citizenship. Sulla, a general during the Social War, marched on Rome and won a civil war. The First Mithridatic War occurs from 89-85 BC as Mithridates VI of Pontus attempted to gain control of Anatolia and ancient Greece from the Roman Republic. Sulla was declared an public enemy in the Roman Republic, but he defeats Mithridates VI and gains control of Greece and western Anatolia. The Second Mithridatic War breaks out two years later, after Lucius Licinius Murena, the governor of Roman Asia, clashes with the army of Pontus. Sulla takes control of Rome in 82 BC, and becomes Roman dictator.

In China, Emperor Wu of Han dies after a 54 year long reign, and Zhao of Han becomes Emperor. The Discourses on Salt and Iron was held, debating the economic policies of the Han dynasty. The Nabataean Kingdom defeated the Seleucid Empire at the Battle of Cana, killing the Seleucid king Antiochus XII Dionysus. Tigranes the Great of Armenia effectively ended Seleucid rule in 83 BC after being invited to the Seleucid Dynastic Wars. Burebista unified the Dacian people and became the first king of Dacia in 82 BC. In Egypt, Berenice III ruled up to 80 BC, when she was murdered by her husband, Ptolemy XI Alexander II. Ptolemy XI Alexander II is soon deposed by Ptolemy XII Auletes as pharaoh of Egypt and Alexandria comes under Roman jurisdiction.