453 CE

Emperor Wen of Song is assassinated by his sons Liu Shao and Liu Jun, Prince Shixing, so that Liu Shao can become emperor. Liu Shao is overthrown by another brother, Liu Jun who becomes Emperor Xiaowu of Song. Ankō obtains the throne of his father Ingyō after the traditional order of succession and becomes the 20th emperor of Japan. His eldest brother Prince Kinashi no Karu commits suicide after being accused of an incestuous relationship with his sister Karu no Ōiratsume (according to the Nihon Shoki).

In the 450s, the 5th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Anthemius marries Marcia Euphemia, daughter of Marcian, and is elevated to the rank of comes. He is sent to the Danubian frontier to rebuild the border defences.source

Conflict & Security

  • May 20 – Liu Shao is overthrown by another brother, Liu Jun who becomes Emperor Xiaowu of Song.source
  • Ankō obtains the throne of his father Ingyō after the traditional order of succession and becomes the 20th emperor of Japan. His eldest brother Prince Kinashi no Karu commits suicide after being accused of an incestuous relationship with his sister Karu no Ōiratsume (according to the Nihon Shoki).source

Crime & Justice

  • Theodoric II succeeds his brother Thorismund as king of the Visigoths, Thorismund having been murdered after he violated the alliance with the Western Roman Empire.source

Culture & Society

  • c. March – Attila the Hun is found dead in bed, after a wedding feast with the Goth princess Ildico. He dies of a nosebleed at his Hungarian stronghold, drowning in his own blood, aged about 47. The Huns celebrate a strava (lamentation) over his burial place with great feasting. Attila's son Ellac is appointed successor, but his brothers Dengizich and Ernakh divide the Hunnic Empire by establishing their own kingdoms north of the Black Sea (Ukraine), supported by vassal states.source

Births

  • Vedast, Frankish bishop (approximate date)source
  • Brigit of Kildare, Irish patron saint (died 524)source

Deaths

  • March 16 – Emperor Wen of Song, assassinated (born 407)source
  • March 16 – Emperor Wen of Song is assassinated by his sons Liu Shao and Liu Jun, Prince Shixing, so that Liu Shao can become emperor.source
  • May 27 – Liu Shao, emperor of Liu Song (born 426) — executedsource
  • May 27 – Liu Jun, Prince Shixing of the Liu Song dynasty (born 429) — executedsource
  • May 27 – Pan, concubine of Wen Di — executedsource
  • May 27 – Empress Yin of Liu Song, forced suicide — executedsource
  • May 27 – Liu Shao is executed, together with other members of his family.source
  • July – Empress Pulcheria dies of natural causes at Constantinople. She has commissioned many new churches in the city during her reign. Her death leaves Flavius Aspar (magister militum) as the dominant influence on her husband, Marcian.source
  • July – Pulcheria, Byzantine Empresssource
  • Thorismund, king of the Visigoths, assassinatedsource
  • Helian, empress of Northern Weisource
  • c. March – Attila, ruler of the Huns (born 406)source