73

Year 73 was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.__NOTOC__

Events

By place

Roman Empire

* The Romans capture Masada, one of the last battles of the First Jewish-Roman War. Surviving defenders commit mass suicide when defeat becomes imminent.
* Pliny the Elder serves as procurator in Hispania Tarraconensis.
* Domitian is a Roman Consul.
* Vespasian begins conquest of territory east of the upper Rhine and south of the Main. In addition, he reorganizes the defenses of the upper and lower Danube.

Asia

*February — the Chinese Han Dynasty launches a major campaign against the Xiongnu, whom they confront in the Battle of Yiwulu in the Kumul oasis, an ultimate Han military victory led by General Dou Gu (d. 88).
*Ban Chao (Pan-Tch’ao), competing with the Xiongnu, imposes a Chinese protectorate on the kings of Lop Nor and Khotan in the Tarim basin, with the aim of controlling the silk trade.

By topic

Arts and Science

*Martial writes a satire on "military cowardice".

Births

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Deaths

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