Mark Antony, Roman general and politician (d. 30 BCE)

The year 83 BC marks a pivotal period in the annals of ancient Roman history, operating within the framework of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. This particular calendar system, while functional for its time, was based primarily on lunar cycles and often required manual adjustments to stay aligned with the solar year, leading to periodic inconsistencies and calendar drift before Julius Caesar's significant reforms in 45 BC.

How was the year 83 BC known in ancient Rome?

During the Roman Republic, years were primarily identified by the names of the two annually elected consuls. Thus, 83 BC was officially recognized as the Year of the Consulship of Asiaticus and Norbanus. These consuls were specifically Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus and Gaius Norbanus, who held the highest executive office during a tumultuous period. Less frequently, the Romans might also refer to it by the Ab urbe condita (AUC) system, meaning "from the founding of the City." In this dating convention, 83 BC corresponded to the year 671 AUC, calculating from the traditional founding of Rome in 753 BC.

What significant events transpired in 83 BC?

The year 83 BC is predominantly remembered for the dramatic escalation of the Roman Civil Wars, specifically marking the beginning of the Second Sullan Civil War. This conflict pitted the returning general Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, fresh from his victories in the First Mithridatic War, against the established Marian-Cinnan faction that controlled Rome. Sulla, having landed with his legions at Brundisium (modern Brindisi) in southern Italy, initiated a brutal campaign to reclaim political power. The consuls of the year, Asiaticus and Norbanus, were staunch opponents of Sulla and commanded forces against him. However, Sulla's strategic genius, coupled with significant defections from the senatorial and equestrian ranks – notably including young figures like Gnaeus Pompey (later Pompey the Great) and Marcus Licinius Crassus – allowed him to make substantial inroads throughout Campania and Apulia. This year set the stage for Sulla's eventual march on Rome and his subsequent proscriptions and dictatorship, profoundly reshaping the Roman Republic.

When did the designation '83 BC' become common?

The modern designation of '83 BC' for this specific year was not in use during ancient Roman times. This method of dating years, using the 'Before Christ' (BC) or 'Anno Domini' (AD) era, originated much later. It gained prevalence from the early medieval period onwards, particularly after the widespread adoption of the Anno Domini calendar era. This system, devised by Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century AD, gradually became the dominant chronological method across Europe for precisely defining and cataloging historical events, replacing older, more localized dating systems like the consular year or AUC.

Was the Roman calendar accurate in 83 BC?

The pre-Julian Roman calendar in 83 BC was not entirely accurate by modern standards. It was a lunisolar calendar that often drifted out of sync with the seasons, necessitating frequent and often politically manipulated intercalary months. This inherent inaccuracy was one of the key reasons for Julius Caesar's significant calendar reforms in 45 BC, which introduced the much more precise Julian calendar.

Who were Asiaticus and Norbanus, and what was their political affiliation?

Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus and Gaius Norbanus were the consuls of Rome in 83 BC. They were staunch supporters of the Marian-Cinnan faction, which was the dominant political power in Rome following the death of Marius and Cinna. As such, they were direct adversaries of Lucius Cornelius Sulla, who returned from the East in 83 BC to challenge their authority and reclaim control of the Republic.