A rebel army overthrew the emperor Wang Mang, who had seized the throne for himself in 9 CE. China was plunged into chaos until a Han prince, Liu Xiu, took control. Ruling as Emperor Guang Wudi, he managed to reunite China by 36 CE, and founded the Eastern Han dynasty.

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In 64 CE a fire swept through Rome. Emperor Nero blamed the Christians, but many said he started it himself so he could build a palace.

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A Jewish revolt broke out in the Roman province of Judea. Vespasian (who became emperor in 69 CE) and his son Titus crushed the rebellion, destroying the Temple in Jerusalem. Jewish resistance fighters retreated to the hilltop fort of Masada, which fell to the Romans in 73 CE.

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Vesuvius erupts The sudden eruption of the volcano Vesuvius buried the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, in Italy, under thick layers of ash and mud. Thousands were killed by burning clouds of gas

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Emperor Titus laid on 100 days of gladiator fights and wild animal hunts to mark the opening of the magnificent Colosseum in Rome. It had taken eight years to build

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Work began on the enormous Pyramid of the Sun in the city of Teotihuacan, Mexico. When it was finished, about 100 years later, it stood 63 m (207 ft) high.

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Teotihacan in Central Mexico was the largest city of ancient America. Built between 100 and 250, it covered an area of more than 30 sq km (1.5 sq miles). Its people traded widely and its influence was felt as far as Guatemala. The city was at the peak of its power around 500, but fell into decline a century later.

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Teotihuacán was laid out as a sacred site, dedicated to the gods. This view looks down the Avenue of the Dead from the Pyramid of the Moon. On the left is the Pyramid of the Sun, one of the world's largest pyramids.