361 CE

Sixteen Kingdoms: Jin Aidi, age 20, succeeds Jin Mudi, as emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Julian begins leading his troops eastwards against Constantius II. George of Cappadocia, the Arian intruding bishop of Alexandria, is murdered in his see and Athanasius of Alexandria returns to his native city in triumph.

In the 360s, the 4th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • July 10 – Sixteen Kingdoms: Jin Aidi, age 20, succeeds Jin Mudi, as emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.source

Conflict & Security

  • July – Julian begins leading his troops eastwards against Constantius II.source

Religion & Belief

  • December 11 – Julian becomes sole emperor of the Roman Empire; he rules from Constantinople, and tries to restore paganism. Constantius II is buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles.source
  • Gregory Nazianzus (Saint Gregory the Theologian) returns to Nazianzus and is appointed a priest by his father, who wants him to assist local Christians.source
  • Construction of the Monastery of Saint Anthony in the Eastern Desert of Egypt begins.source
  • Emperor Julian tries to organize a pagan church and substitute it for Christianity. Pope Liberius repudiates the Arian creed, and declares that the Council of Ariminum has no authority to issue decrees.source

Health & Medicine

  • Constantinople enforces a strict licensing system for physicians.source

Crime & Justice

  • Ministers and followers of Constantius II are put on trial, at the Chalcedon Tribunal.source

Culture & Society

  • 361–363 – A Julian the Apostate coin is issued. It is now kept at the British Museum, London.source

Deaths

  • November 3 – Emperor Constantius II dies of a fever at Mopsuestia in Cilicia, age 44; on his deathbed he is baptised, and declares his cousin Julian rightful successor.source
  • November – Constantius II, Roman Emperor (born 317)source
  • December 24 – George of Cappadocia, Byzantine Orthodox archbishop and saintsource
  • December 24 – George of Laodicea, Byzantine Orthodox archbishop and saintsource
  • December 24 – George of Cappadocia, the Arian intruding bishop of Alexandria, is murdered in his see and Athanasius of Alexandria returns to his native city in triumph.source
  • Li Shi, emperor of the Chinese Ba-Di state Cheng Hansource
  • Song Hun, regent of the Chinese state Former Liangsource
  • Zhu Jingjian, Chinese Buddhist nun (born 292)source
  • Jin Mudi, emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (born 343)source
  • Maximus of Naples, Roman Catholic archbishop and saintsource
  • Apodemius, Roman officer and secret agentsource
  • Wang Xizhi, Chinese calligrapher (born 303)source