120 BC

120 BC was a year in the pre-Julian Roman calendar. It is conventionally used to refer to the year 120 years before the traditionally recognized year of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Events

• Marius, a Roman general and statesman, is elected tribune of the plebs.
• Mithridates VI Eupator, king of Pontus, begins his reign (approximate date).
• The construction of the Temple of Dendur begins during the reign of Ptolemy VIII in Egypt.

Births

• Aulus Cornelius Sulla, Roman general and statesman (approximate date; d. 78 BC)
• Aurelia Cotta, mother of Julius Caesar (approximate date; d. 54 BC)

Deaths

• Polybius, Greek historian (b. c. 200 BC)
• Hipparchus, Greek astronomer, geographer, and mathematician (b. c. 190 BC)