394 CE

Battle of the Frigidus: Emperor Theodosius I defeats and kills the usurper Eugenius. The forces of Theodosius are bolstered by numerous auxiliaries, including 20,000 Visigoth federates under Alaric. The Frankish general Arbogast (magister militum) escapes into the Alps and commits suicide. The last known hieroglyphic inscription, known as the Graffito of Esmet-Akhom, is written in Philae, Egypt. In Rome, the sacred fire stops burning (see Vesta and Vestal Virgins).

In the 390s, the 4th century.

Conflict & Security

  • September 6 – Battle of the Frigidus: Emperor Theodosius I defeats and kills the usurper Eugenius. The forces of Theodosius are bolstered by numerous auxiliaries, including 20,000 Visigoth federates under Alaric. The Frankish general Arbogast (magister militum) escapes into the Alps and commits suicide.source
  • Late Roman army: The Notitia Dignitatum shows the development of forces in the Roman Empire. By now 200,000 soldiers guard the borders, and a reserve force of 50,000 is available for deployment. Many non-Roman soldiers are from Germanic tribes: Alamanni, Franks, Goths, Saxons and Vandals.source
  • Winter – The Huns cross the frozen Danube and destroy the villages built by the Goths. Theodosius I, six hundred miles away in Italy, sends no reinforcements to defend the northern frontier.source

Religion & Belief

  • The Council of Bagaï in Africa brings 310 Donatist bishops together.source
  • In Rome, the sacred fire stops burning (see Vesta and Vestal Virgins).source
  • Epiphanius of Salamis attacks Origen's followers and urges John II, Bishop of Jerusalem, to condemn his writings.source

Science & Discovery

  • The last known hieroglyphic inscription, known as the Graffito of Esmet-Akhom, is written in Philae, Egypt.source

Births

  • Gunabhadra, Indian Buddhist scholar-monk (died 468)source
  • Jangsu, Korean king of Goguryeo (died 491)source

Deaths

  • September 6 – Eugenius, Roman usurpersource
  • September 8 – Arbogast, Frankish generalsource
  • Fu Chong, emperor of the Chinese Di state Former Qinsource
  • Murong Yong, emperor of the Xianbei state Western Yansource
  • The last ruler of Former Qin, Fu Chong, is killed in battle against an army of Western Qin, bringing Former Qin to an end.source
  • Virius Nicomachus Flavianus, Roman historian and politician (born 334)source
  • Yao Chang, emperor of the Qiang state Later Qin (born 331)source
  • Fu Deng, emperor of the Di state Former Qin (born 343)source