AD 4

Events

By place

Roman Empire

• Emperor Augustus summons Tiberius to Rome, and names him his heir and future emperor. At the same time, Agrippa Postumus, the last son of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, is also adopted and named as Augustus' heir.
• Tiberius also adopts Germanicus as his own heir.
• The Lex Aelia Sentia regulates the manumission of slaves.
• A pact of non-aggression and friendship is signed between the Roman Empire, represented by Tiberius, and the German tribe the Cherusci, represented by their King Segimer. Arminius and Flavus, sons of Segimer, are brought into the Roman army as leaders of the auxiliary troops.
• Julia the Elder returns from exile to live in Rhegium in disgrace.
• Augustus pardons Gnaeus Cornelius Cinna Magnus, along with Aemilia Lepida, the granddaughter of Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, for alleged involvement in a conspiracy against the emperor.

  Middle East

• King Phraataces and Queen Musa of Parthia are overthrown and killed, the crown being offered to Orodes III of Parthia—the beginning of the interregnum.

  Korea

• Namhae Chachaung succeeds Bak Hyeokgeose as king of the Korean kingdom of Silla.

  China

• Emperor Ping of Han marries Empress Wang, daughter of Wang Mang, cementing his influence.
• Wang Mang is given the title "superior duke".

  By topic

Arts and sciences

• Nicolaus of Damascus writes the 15-volume History of the World.

  Births

• Columella, Roman Latin writer
• Daemusin, Korean king of Goguryeo
• Some believe that Jesus of Nazareth was actually born this year
• Publius Quinctilius Varus, Roman nobleman

  Deaths

• February 21 - Gaius Caesar, son of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder
• June 26 - Ariobarzanes II, Roman client king of Armenia
• Gaius Asinius Pollio, Roman orator, poet and historian
• Hyeokgeose, Korean king of Silla
• Lucius Cornelius Lentulus, Roman consul