118 BC

118 BC refers to the year 118 before the Common Era (also known as BCE, and equivalent to BC). It was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar.

Significant Events and Developments:

• Roman Republic: The year falls within the period of the late Roman Republic, characterized by expansion, internal strife, and political maneuvering.
• Foundation of Narbo Martius: The Roman colony of Narbo Martius (modern-day Narbonne, France) was founded. This colony was strategically important for controlling the Via Domitia, a major Roman road connecting Italy to Hispania (modern-day Spain and Portugal). The establishment of Narbo Martius solidified Roman control over southern Gaul.
• Possible Consuls: While definitive records can sometimes be incomplete for this period, historical sources and reconstructions suggest the Roman consuls for 118 BC would have been officials elected to the highest office of the Roman Republic. Reconstructing exact consular pairings is often a matter of scholarly debate based on fragmented evidence.
• Numidian Affairs: Jugurtha, a Numidian prince, likely continued to play a significant role in North Africa, potentially creating political tension with Rome. The Jugurthine War would later erupt, demonstrating the ongoing importance of this region to Roman interests.
• Potential Developments Elsewhere: While Roman affairs are relatively well-documented for this period, records from other parts of the world are less comprehensive. Events may have occurred in regions like Asia, including the Han Dynasty in China, but reliable information for this specific year might be scarce or unavailable in Western historical sources.