139

The year 139 (CXXXIX) was a common year beginning on Wednesday of the Julian calendar, in force on that date.

In the Roman Empire the year was named the year of the consulate of Hadrian and Present, or less frequently, as 892 ab urbe condita, being its denomination as 139 at the beginning of the Middle Ages, when the Anno Domini was established.

Events

• Emperor Antonino Pius appoints Marco Aurelio César and promises him to Faustina the Minor, his daughter. He gives the same title to Lucio Vero, fulfilling the promise he made to Adriano that both young men would succeed him. Antonino Pio kept his word and Marco Aurelio and Lucio Vero succeeded in his death in 161.
• A strong earthquake destroys the Turkish city of Hösnek.

Deaths

• Zhang Heng, mathematician and Chinese astronomer.