44

The year 44 (XLIV) was a leap year beginning on Wednesday of the Julian calendar, in force on that date.

In the Roman Empire, it was known as the Year of the Consulate of Crispus and Taurus (or less frequently, year 797 Ab urbe condita). The designation 44 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini became the prevalent European method of naming years.

Events

• In the present Norfolk (East of England) Queen Boudica marries Prasutagus, king of the British Celtic tribe of the Iceans.
• The Romans capture the village of Camulodunum (Colchester), and turn it into the capital of the new Roman province of Britania.
• Emperor Claudio returns triumphant from his campaign in southern Britannia (which he succeeded in becoming the province of the Empire), although the war will continue for the next fifteen years.
• Mauritania is invaded by the Romans, who make it the province of the Empire.
• The Romans again invade the island of Rhodes.
• Judea is controlled by Roman governors.
• In Palestine, after the death of Agrippa II, Emperor Claudio appointed Cuspio Fado governor (until 46). At this time begins the revolt of the prophet Teudas—who gathered a lot of disciples in the Jordan River—. He'll finally send them to decapitate every two years later.
• In Jerusalem (Palestine), the Romans decapitate Jacob Bar-Zebdi (Saint Yago son-of-Zebedeo, or James the Greater), a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth.
• In Jerusalem, Elionaios (son of Kanthéros) and Joseph (son of Kami) are appointed chief priests.
• Judea reaches the Roman province of Syria.

World map of the geographer Pomponio Mela.

• In Rome, the Hispanic-Roman cartographer Pomponio Mela (f. 45) writes From situ orbisA geography of the Earth.
• In Rome, Tito Estatilio Tauro and Cayo Salustio Crispo Pasieno are named consuls.

Deaths

• Jacob de Zebedee (or James the Greater), Israeli Christian religious, brother of John Evangelist (n. 5 B.C.).
• Herod Agrippa I, king of Judea (n. 10 B.C.).
• Claudia Julia, daughter of Druze the Young and niece of Emperor Claudio; murdered (n. 5 A.D.).