In 166, men claiming to be envoys of the ruler of Rome — probably Marcus Aurelius — reached China.

165 · 166 · apart: 1 year

At the time, Rome was in the grip of the Antonine Plague.

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The event

• Antonine Plague165–180 · Roman Empire. Legions returning from war in Mesopotamia brought an epidemic into the Roman Empire, described by the physician Galen and most likely smallpox. Over 15 years it killed millions by various estimates, possibly including co-emperor Lucius Verus.

2nd century

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