2 BC

Year 2 BC was a common year starting on Thursday or Friday of the Julian calendar (the sources differ, see leap year error for further information) and a common year starting on Wednesday of the Proleptic Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Augustus and Silvanus (or, less frequently, year 752 Ab urbe condita). The denomination 2 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

Roman Empire

• February 5 – Augustus is proclaimed pater patriae ("father of the country") by the Roman Senate. This bestowed title is the logical consequence and final proof of Augustus' supreme position as princeps, the first in charge over the Roman state.
• Julia the Elder, daughter of Augustus, is exiled on charges of treason and adultery to Pandateria; her mother Scribonia accompanies her.
• The Aqua Alsietina (or Aqua Augusta), a Roman aqueduct in Rome, is constructed during the reign of Augustus (approximate date).
• Date of the birth of Jesus according to the writings of Tertullian, Eusebius and Epiphanius (probably after the statement of Jesus being "around 30 years old" in AD 29).
• Dedication of the Forum Augustum.

Parthia

• Phraates V and his mother Musa become rulers of the Parthian Empire following the murder of Phraates IV.

Armenia

• Tigranes IV and Erato are restored to the throne after deposing Artavasdes III.

Births

• Jesus, basis of Christianity (born in the month of Ethanim (Tishrei) (September–October) (approximate date, according to Eusebius of Caesarea and Jehovah's Witnesses)
• Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, father of Nero

Deaths

• Fu, Chinese Grand Empress of the Han dynasty
• Iullus Antonius, Roman consul and son of Mark Antony (b. 43 BC)
• Phraates IV, king of the Parthian Empire