353 CE
Battle of Mons Seleucus: Emperor Constantius II defeats the usurper Magnentius, who commits suicide in Gaul in order to avoid capture. Constantius becomes sole emperor, and reunifies the Roman Empire. Wang Xizhi, Chinese calligrapher, produces "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" in running script style. It becomes a model for future calligraphers. Constantius II sends his official Paulus Catena to Britain, to hunt down the opponents supporting Magnentius. Flavius Martinus, vicarius of Britain and supporter of Constantius, opposes the persecutions; he is then accused by Catena of being a traitor. In response, Martinus tries to kill Catena with a sword; he fails and then commits suicide.
In the 350s, the 4th century.
Religion & Belief
- Constantius II assembles a conciliabulum at Arles, and condemns Athanasius as Patriarch of Alexandria.source
Crime & Justice
- Constantius II sends his official Paulus Catena to Britain, to hunt down the opponents supporting Magnentius. Flavius Martinus, vicarius of Britain and supporter of Constantius, opposes the persecutions; he is then accused by Catena of being a traitor. In response, Martinus tries to kill Catena with a sword; he fails and then commits suicide.source
Culture & Society
- Wang Xizhi, Chinese calligrapher, produces "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" in running script style. It becomes a model for future calligraphers.source
Births
- Saint Vigilius, Bishop of Trent (died 405)source
Deaths
- August 11 – Magnentius, Roman usurper (born 303)source
- August 18 – Magnus Decentius, brother and Caesar of Magnentiussource
- Battle of Mons Seleucus: Emperor Constantius II defeats the usurper Magnentius, who commits suicide in Gaul in order to avoid capture. Constantius becomes sole emperor, and reunifies the Roman Empire.source
- Zhang Chonghua, ruler of Former Liang (born 327)source
- Flavius Martinus, vicarius of Roman Britainsource