AD 1: The Year of Beginnings

In the turning of the age, when calendars were bare,
AD 1 rose quiet, though empires filled the air.

In distant Lu, a sage long gone
Was crowned with words, his spirit drawn:
Baocheng Xuan Ni Gong—Confucius gained
A name of honor, his wisdom sustained.

Across the Rhine, where forests moan,
Tiberius marched, his legions shone.
By Augustus’ will, Germania shook,
Revolt was quelled with an iron look.

Where the waters of the Euphrates bend,
Two powers met, their quarrels to end.
Gaius Caesar and Parthia’s king
Chose peace, not blood, as the offering.
Rome’s hand on Armenia the world could see,
Yet the river carried words of amity.

And far to the south, where the Nile gives way,
To Kushite thrones in golden sway,
A queen departed—Amanishakheto’s light
Faded into the Nubian night.
Her jewels and might, her warrior reign,
Left echoes carved in stone’s domain.

So opened the century, quietly begun,
With crowns and swords and rising sun.
A year of firsts, though none could see
The shadow of centuries yet to be.