This article lists historical events that occurred between 101âÂÂ200 in modern-day Lebanon or regarding its people.
Roman emperor Hadrian (reigned 117âÂÂ138) is said to have considered a division of the overly large province of Syria in 123âÂÂ124 AD, but it was not until shortly after that Septimius Severus (r. 193âÂÂ211) actually undertook this, dividing the province into Syria Coele in the north and Phoenice in the south. The province was much larger than the area traditionally called Phoenicia: for example, cities like Emesa and Palmyra and the base of the Legio III Gallica in Raphanaea were now subject to governor in Tyre. Veterans of this military unit were settled in Tyre, which also received the rank of colonia.
By creating the province of Phoenicia, Septimius Severus revived the Phoenician identity. His restoration of the ancient regional name seems to come from a deep pride in his own origin from the regions of Dido in Africa and his wifeâÂÂs roots in Phoenicia.
After the death of the 2nd century Roman emperor Commodus, a civil war erupted, in which Berytus, and Sidon supported Pescennius Niger. While the city of Tyre supported Septimius Severus, which led Niger to send Mauri javelin men and archers to sack the city. However, Niger lost the civil war, and Septimius Severus decided to show his gratitude for Tyre's support by making it the capital of Phoenice. Berytus was permitted to maintain its status as a Roman colony but lost the territory of Heliopolis, which was established as a separate colony. Ulpian, a native of Tyre, states that the grant of colonial status to Heliopolis resulted from this civil war.
The early governors of Phoenice from the time of Septimius Severus are known mainly by inscriptions. The governors resided in Tyre.
Athletic competitions following the classical model persisted in the region during the second century AD, taking place in public venues such as gymnasiums. An athlete from Aphrodisias in Caria, in 165 AD, recorded his victories, listing events in various Phoenician cities: the menâÂÂs pankration in Berytus, the menâÂÂs pankration in Tyre, and the menâÂÂs pankration in Hieropolis.
The first attempt to conserve the Lebanese cedar was made during the 2nd century by the Roman emperor Hadrian; he created an imperial forest and ordered it marked by inscribed boundary stones, two of which are in the museum of the American University of Beirut. Material finds of this early type of wildlife conservation is provided by 200 inscriptions engraved on rocks all over the northern part of Mount Lebanon.
Based on literary evidence, by the early second century AD, Berytus featured various public structures, including halls, porticoes, temples, marketplaces, a theater, an amphitheater, and baths. The buildings and streets were decorated with statues and sculptures.