Year 48 was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.

Events

By place

Roman Empire

• Consuls are Aulus Vitellius and Lucius Vipstanus Publicola Messalla.
• The emperor Claudius invests Agrippa II with the office of superintendent of the Temple in Jerusalem.
• After the execution of his wife Messalina, Claudius gets senatorial approval to marry his niece, Agrippina.
• Vitellius is a Roman Consul.
• Publius Ostorius Scapula, governor of Britain, announces his intention to disarm all Britons south and east of the Trent and Severn. The Iceni, an independent, allied kingdom within that area, revolt but are defeated. Ostorius then moves against the Deceangli in north Wales, but is forced to abandon the campaign to deal with a revolt among the allied Brigantes.
• Gallic nobles are admitted to the Roman Senate. Claudius grants the rights of citizenship to the Aedui.

Asia

• The Hsiung-nu empire dissolves.
• The emperor of China, Guang Wudi (Kouang Wou-Ti), restores Chinese domination of Inner Mongolia. The Xiongnu are made confederates and guard the Northern border of the empire.

By topic

Religion

• Probable date of the Apostolic Council. Paul of Tarsus begins his first mission (approximate date — see 47).
• According to Christian legend, Martha travels to Avignon.

Births

• Ts'ailouen, Chinese researcher and inventor of paper

Deaths

• Messalina, third wife of Roman Emperor Claudius