354 CE

As a result of the armies of the West having been largely withdrawn by the usurper Magnus Magnentius, to fight Constantius II, hordes of barbarians (Franks and Alemanni) cross the upper Rhine into Gaul and invade the lands of the Helvetians. Emperor Constantius II recalls his Caesar (and cousin) Constantius Gallus to Constantinople after hearing unfavorable reports about him. Gallus, Caesar of the East, has suppressed revolts in Syria Palaestina and central Anatolia. Constantius strips him of his powers and later has him executed in Pola (Croatia). Libanius becomes a teacher of rhetoric in Antioch; his students include John Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia.

In the 350s, the 4th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • The Bulgars are first mentioned in extant European chronicles.source

Conflict & Security

  • As a result of the armies of the West having been largely withdrawn by the usurper Magnus Magnentius, to fight Constantius II, hordes of barbarians (Franks and Alemanni) cross the upper Rhine into Gaul and invade the lands of the Helvetians.source
  • Fu Sheng, emperor of the Former Qin, reigns in northern China.source

Religion & Belief

  • Libanius becomes a teacher of rhetoric in Antioch; his students include John Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia.source

Science & Discovery

  • The Roman Calendar of 354, an illuminated manuscript, is drawn up and becomes the earliest dated codex.source

Crime & Justice

  • Emperor Constantius II recalls his Caesar (and cousin) Constantius Gallus to Constantinople after hearing unfavorable reports about him. Gallus, Caesar of the East, has suppressed revolts in Syria Palaestina and central Anatolia. Constantius strips him of his powers and later has him executed in Pola (Croatia).source

Births

  • November 13 – Augustine of Hippo, North African bishop (died 430)source
  • Pelagius, English monk and theologian (died 418)source
  • Apa Bane, Christian hermit and saint (approximate date)source
  • Paulinus of Nola, French bishop and writer (died 431)source

Deaths

  • Fu Xiong (or Yuancai), Chinese general and politiciansource
  • Xie Ai, Chinese general of Former Liang (born 301)source
  • Constantina, daughter of Constantine the Great (born c. 320)source
  • Ran Zhi, Chinese nobleman and prince of Ran Weisource
  • Constantius Gallus, Roman consul and statesman (born 326)source
  • Pei, Chinese princess and wife of Zhang Chonghuasource