text: Sozomen, Christian Church historian


section: Births

text: Hassan Yuha'min, king of the Himyarite Kingdom

source_section: Births


text: Aspar, Alan patrician and general (magister militum) (approximate date)


text: Salvian, Christian writer (approximate date)


text: Hydatius, bishop of Aquae Flaviae (modern Chaves, Portugal) (approximate date)


text: Qusayy ibn Kilab, Ishmaelite descendant of Abraham


section: Deaths

text: Lü Shao, "Heavenly Prince" (Tian Wang) of Later Liang

source_section: Deaths


text: Oribasius, Greek medical writer and physician


text: Lü Guang, emperor of the Di state Later Liang (b. 337)


text: Gainas, Gothic chieftain and general (magister militum)


text: Duan, Chinese empress and wife of Murong Bao


text: Li Lingrong, empress and mother of Jin Xiaowudi


text: Castor of Karden, Christian priest and hermit


date: November 18

section: Conflict & Security

text: November 18 – The Visigoths, led by king Alaric I, cross the Alps and invade northern Italy.

source_section: Events › By place › Roman Empire


text: Stilicho, Roman general (magister militum), leads his army in an extensive campaign against the Vandals in Rhaetia (Switzerland).


text: Emperor Honorius begins to use the city of Ravenna as a temporary center for certain administrative and military functions. The city is chosen because of its proximity to the bulk of the Western Roman army and due to the fact that its relative poverty makes it a less tempting target for barbarian invaders than cities such as Rome or Milan. This event is often misinterpreted as the establishment of Ravenna as a capital. In reality, the capital of the Western Roman Empire was not truly established at Ravenna until 408.


text: The old Legio II Adiutrix, part of which had always been stationed at Aquincum (modern Budapest), is divided into two comitatenses, and shipped to Britannia.


text: Emperor Arcadius sends many gifts to the Hunnic chieftain Uldin, in appreciation of his victory over the Goths and Gainas. Arcadius then allies himself with the Huns.


section: Religion & Belief

text: Kumarajiva, Kuchean Buddhist monk, arrives in Chang'an and begins translating Buddhist texts into Chinese.

source_section: Events › By place › China


section: Crime & Justice

text: Piracy is committed by slave-traders from Galatia (Anatolia), along the coasts of Africa.


section: Disasters & Accidents

text: The Temple of Artemis near Selçuk in Ephesus is dismantled.


section: Climate & Environment

text: The Chronicon Pachale (Paschal Chronicle) reports that the Black Sea is completely frozen.

source_section: Events › By place › Black Sea


section: Culture & Society

text: The Mahabharata, an Indian Sanskrit epic, is finalised.

source_section: Events › By topic › Religion


date: April 10

text: April 10 – Theodosius II, Roman emperor (d. 450)


text: Leo I, Byzantine Emperor (d. 474)


text: Aelia Eudocia, Roman empress and wife of Theodosius II (approximate date)


date: December 19

text: December 19 – Pope Anastasius I dies at Rome after a 2-year reign, and is succeeded by Innocent I as the 40th pope proclaiming his universal power over the whole of Christendom.


text: Murong Sheng, emperor of the Xianbei state Later Yan (b. 373)


text: Duan Ye, prince of the Chinese state Northern Liang


text: Lü Zuan, emperor of the Di state Later Liang


section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

text: Emperors Arcadius and his younger brother Honorius become Roman consuls.


date: April 6

text: April 6 – Battle of Pollentia: Stilicho recalls troops from Britain and the Rhine frontier to defend Italy. He decides to attack the Goths on Easter Sunday, and manages to capture Alaric's wife and children.


text: The Visigoths advance on Mediolanum (modern Milan) and besiege Asti in Liguria. King Alaric I sends envoys to negotiate a peace, but the Roman government refuses to make deals with "barbarians."


text: King Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo (Korea) defeats the forces of Later Yan, seizing some of their border fortresses.

source_section: Events › By place › Asia


text: Silseong becomes king of the Korean kingdom of Silla.


section: Exploration & Expansion

text: The Rouran, led by Shelun (Chö-louen), having defeated the Gaoju Dingling (Kao-kiu Ting-ling) near Kobbo, establish a nomadic empire that ranges from the Mongolian Plateau to the Irtysh.


text: Fa-Hien, Chinese Buddhist monk, makes a pilgrimage to India, initiating Sino-Indian relations. Stirred by his faith to Buddhism, he visits the sites of Siddhartha Gautama's life.


text: The Pure Land school of Buddhism founds a monastery upon the top of Mount Lushan.


text: Jerome writes "Apologiae contra Rufinum" and "Liber tertius seu ultima responsio adversus scripta Rufini".


text: Cynegius, acting for Emperor Arcadius at the insistence of Bishop Porphyry, orders the destruction of pagan temples in Gaza.


text: Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, Roman consul and intellectual


text: Empress Dowager Ding, mother of Murong Sheng


text: Tufa Lilugu, prince of the Xianbei state Southern Liang


text: Sima Yuanxian, regent during the Jin Dynasty (b. 382)


text: Theodosius II, age 2, becomes consul of the Eastern Roman Empire.


date: June

text: June – Battle of Verona: The Visigoths, under command of King Alaric I, invade Italy again, and advance through the Brenner Pass. Stilicho, with an army of 30,000 men, defeats the Goths north of Verona. Alaric makes a truce, and withdraws eastward to Illyricum.


text: Emperor Honorius and Stilicho are honored with a triumphal march, for the victories against the Goths and Vandals. This becomes the last victory celebrated in Rome.


text: Asin of Baekje allies with Silla against Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo (Korea).


text: The Synod of the Oak deposes and banishes John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople, but shortly afterward he is recalled only to be banished again.


text: Hui Yuan argues that Buddhist monks should be exempt from bowing to the emperor.


text: Hilary, bishop of Arles (d. 449)


text: Yuan He, official of the Northern Wei Dynasty (d. 479)


text: Epiphanius of Salamis, Church Father


text: Sima Daozi, regent of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (b. 364)


text: Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo (Korea) attacks Liaodong and takes the entire Liaodong Peninsula.


date: January 1

text: January 1 – Last known gladiator fight in Rome: This date is usually given as the date of the martyrdom of Saint Telemachus, a Christian monk who was stoned by the crowd for trying to stop a gladiators' fight in a Roman amphitheatre.


text: Eudoxia exiles John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople, for criticizing her sumptuous lifestyle. He is banished to the Caucasus in Armenia. Pope Innocent I at Rome orders a synod to reinstate the bishop, but his envoys are imprisoned. Atticus becomes the new bishop of Constantinople.


text: The Chinese Buddhist monk Huiyuan, who founded the Pure Land Buddhism sect and the monastery on Mount Lushan, writes the book On Why Monks Do Not Bow Down Before Kings in this year. In his book he argues that although the Buddhist clergy should remain independent and undisturbed by politics, the Buddhist laymen nonetheless make good subjects under monarchs, due to their fear of retribution of karma and desire to be reborn in paradise.


text: Fravitta, a Goth serving the Eastern Roman Empire as a high-ranking general, is executed on the behest of a powerful official named Ioannes. Fravitta is executed because he accused Ioannes of pitting Emperor Arcadius and Emperor Honorius (of the Eastern and Western Roman Empires, respectively) against each other. The execution of Fravitta results in the Eastern Roman Empire losing one of their most loyal and competent generals. (404 or 405)


text: January 1 – Telemachus, Christian monk and martyr


date: February

text: February – Flavian I, Patriarch of Antioch


date: June 19

text: June 19 – Huan Xuan, warlord and emperor of the Jin Dynasty (b. 369)


date: October 6

text: October 6 – Aelia Eudoxia, Roman Empress and wife of Arcadius


text: October 6 – Empress Eudoxia has her seventh and last pregnancy, which ends in a miscarriage. She is left bleeding and dies of an infection shortly after.


text: Paula, Desert Mother and saint (b. 347)


text: He Fani, empress of the Jin dynasty (b. 339)


text: Claudian, Roman poet (approximate date)


text: Jeonji becomes king of the Korean kingdom of Baekje.


text: War of Radagaisus: King Radagaisus leads an invasion with a force of 20,000 men and crosses the Alps. He spends the winter in the Po Valley and is observed by Stilicho, who lacks sufficient strength to prepare an offensive against the invading German tribes. The exact numbers of the migration are unknown, probably nearly 100,000, including Alans, Burgundians, Goths, Vandals, and other smaller tribes.


text: Stilicho crushes a coalition of Asding Vandals, Ostrogoths and Quadi with an army raised from forces of the Rhine frontier, leaving this sector dangerously weakened.


text: The Khitan are first mentioned in Chinese chronicles. They wander along the boundaries of Kara-muren, and form part of the Donghu (Tong-hou) confederation.


text: Jerome's Vulgate translation of the Bible into Latin is completed by his translations of the Tanakh from the Hebrew language.


text: In the Roman province of Africa, Augustine of Hippo opposes Donatism as a heresy.


text: The Japanese court officially adopts the Chinese writing system (approximate date).

source_section: Events › By topic › Arts and Sciences


section: Science & Discovery

text: The Armenian alphabet is devised by Mesrop Mashtots.


text: Flavius Aetius is sent as a child hostage at the court of Alaric I, king of the Visigoths.


text: Stilicho, Roman general (magister militum), orders the Sibylline Books to be burned, according to the Roman poet Rutilius Claudius Namatianus.


text: Emperor Honorius closes the Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum), in an austerity move that abolishes amusements.


text: Ricimer, de facto ruler of the Western Roman Empire (approximate date)


text: Yuan Qigui, empress and wife of Wen of Liu Song (d. 440)


text: Salvian, Christian writer (approximate date)


date: June 26

text: June 26 – Saint Vigilius, bishop of Trent (b. 353)


date: November 11

text: November 11 – Arsacius of Tarsus, archbishop of Constantinople


text: Richu, emperor of Japan (approximate date)


text: Theon of Alexandria, last director of the Library of Alexandria (approximate date)


text: Theon of Alexandria, Greek mathematician, dies at age 70 (approximate), having been helped in his work by his daughter Hypatia.


text: Murong De, emperor of the Xianbei state Southern Yan (b. 336)


text: Moses the Black, Christian monk and priest (b. 330)


date: December 31

text: December 31 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine at Mogontiacum (modern Mainz), beginning an invasion of Gaul (traditional date, this may have occurred in 405).


text: Hanzei succeeds his brother Richu, and becomes the 18th emperor of Japan in the traditional order of succession.


text: Vandal-Frankish war: The Vandals, led by Godigisel, are intercepted and defeated by the Franks under Marcomir. Godigisel is killed in battle and succeeded by his son Gunderic.


text: Radagaisus is forced to retreat into the hills of Fiesole. There he tries to escape, but is captured by the Romans.


text: Autumn – The remaining Roman legions in Britain decide to mutiny. The usurper Marcus is proclaimed emperor.


text: Faxian, Chinese traveler, arrives in India. He visits the major seats of Buddhist learning (Udyana, Peshawar, and Taxila).


date: August 23

text: August 23 – Radagaisus is executed; 12,000 "barbarians" are incorporated into the Roman army, or sold as slaves.


text: Cultivation of rye, oats, hops, and spelt (a wheat used for livestock feed) is introduced in Europe by the native Vandals, Alans, and Sciri, who also introduce a heavy wheeled plow to be used for farming.

source_section: Events › By topic › Agriculture


text: Stained glass is used for the first time in churches in Rome.


text: Shao Di, emperor of the Liu Song dynasty (d. 424)


text: Attila the Hun, ruler of the Hunnic Empire (approximate date) (d. 453)


text: August 23 – Radagaisus, Gothic king


text: Gu Kaizhi, Chinese painter (b. c. 344)


text: Godigisel, king of the Vandals


text: Zhang Tianxi, ruler of Former Liang (b. 346)


text: Alban of Mainz, priest and martyr (approximate date)


text: End of Roman rule in Britain: After 360 years of occupation, the local regional British-Roman leaders raise their own levies for defence against Saxon sea rovers. They cultivate oysters, having learned the technique from the Romans.


text: Liu Bobo (Xia Wuliedi) founds the state of Xia, and claims the title "Heavenly Prince" (Tian Wang).


text: Autumn - Resistance of Honorius cousins: In Spain comes Constans II into conflict with Didymus and Verinianus, nephews and followers of Honorius.


text: Roman Civil war of 407–415:Constantine III, a general (magister militum), declares himself Roman emperor. To extend his dominion over Gaul and Spain, he takes practically all the Roman garrisons from Britain and crosses the English Channel. Constantine occupies Arles and establishes tenuous authority over Gaul, sharing control with marauding "barbarians". This is generally seen as the beginning of Rome's withdrawal from Britain.


text: Wen Di, Chinese emperor of the Liu Song dynasty (d. 453)


text: Maria, empress consort and wife of Honorius


text: John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople


text: Victricius, missionary and bishop of Rouen (approximate date)


text: Fu Xunying, empress of the Xianbei state Later Yan


text: Murong Xi, emperor of the Xianbei state Later Yan (b. 385)


text: Gratian, Roman usurper, is installed as emperor after the death of Marcus. According to Orosius, he is a native Briton of the urban aristocracy.


text: The Roman usurper Constantine III establishes his headquarters at Arles (Southern Gaul) and elevates his eldest son, Constans, to the rank of Caesar. He sends him with an expeditionary force under Gerontius to Hispania, in order to suppress the revolt of some members of the Theodosian dynasty, who are loyal to Honorius.


text: King Yazdegerd I of Persia maintains cordial relations with the Roman Empire. He becomes an executor of Arcadius' will and is entrusted with the care of the young Theodosius II until he comes of age.

source_section: Events › By place › Persia


text: Alaric also demands, and obtains, the freedom of 30,000 people who had been enslaved in Rome.


date: September

text: September – Rex Alaric I of the Visigoths crosses the Julian Alps with an army of 30,000 men, and marches into the Roman heartland. He lays siege to Rome, and Gothic auxiliaries desert to join Alaric's forces. After much bargaining, the Senate agrees to pay him a ransom of 5,000 pounds of gold, 30,000 pounds of silver, 4,000 silken tunics, and 3,000 hides dyed scarlet.


text: The Huns under Uldin cross the lower Danube and attack the Eastern Roman Empire, setting fire to frontier forts and taking control of the Castra Martis (modern Bulgaria). The Romans negotiate for peace, but Uldin demands an exorbitant gold tribute in return for his withdrawal. This demand is rejected and Anthemius forces the Huns back across the Danube.


section: Technology & Infrastructure

text: The Hexamilion wall is constructed. Fortifications are built across the Isthmus of Corinth, guarding the only land route into the Peloponnese peninsula from Greece.


section: Health & Medicine

text: Alaric I exacts a tribute from Rome that includes 3,000 pounds of pepper. The spice is valued for alleged medicinal virtues and for disguising spoilage in meat that is past its prime.

source_section: Events › By topic › Medicine


date: August 13

text: August 13 – During a review of troops at Pavia, the soldiers stationed at this city murder the dignitaries present, then rage through the city, slaying anyone they suspected of being a supporter of Stilicho.


date: August 22

text: August 22 – Stilicho is accused of treason against Honorius and is decapitated at Ravenna. His Hun bodyguard is killed; mass murders of Vandal soldiers follow.


text: Attila, age 2, is sent as a child hostage to the court at Rome and in return, the Romans send Flavius Aetius to the Huns.


text: Summer – Emperor Honorius marries Thermantia, second daughter of Stilicho, his famous general (magister militum).


text: Tai Wu Di, emperor of the Northern Wei Dynasty (d. 452)


date: May 1

text: May 1 – Emperor Arcadius dies in his palace at Constantinople, after a weak 13-year reign. He is succeeded by his 7-year-old son, Theodosius II, who rules under the domination of his devout Christian sister Pulcheria and Anthemius, who acts as regent.


text: May 1 – Arcadius, Roman emperor


date: May 4

text: May 4 – Venerius, bishop of Milan and Saint


text: August 22 – Stilicho, Roman general


text: Honorius agrees that sons of prominent families at court in Ravenna be sent beyond the Danube as hostages; in return, later he calls up ten thousand Hun mercenaries.


date: October 13

text: October 13 – The Vandals, led by King Gunderic, cross the Pyrenees into the Iberian Peninsula. They receive land from the Romans, as foederati, in Baetica (Southern Spain). The Alans occupy lands in Lusitania and the Suebi control parts of Gallaecia.


text: Battle of Linqu: Southern Yan is defeated by Eastern Jin.


text: The Visigothic king Alaric I lays siege to Rome a second time, bringing the inhabitants close to starvation. Emperor Honorius, safe in inaccessible Ravenna, refuses to negotiate for peace, despite repeated offers from Alaric, who then comes to terms with the Senate and sets up a rival emperor, Priscus Attalus, prefect (praefectus urbi) of the city.


text: Bacaudic Rebellion: Peasants in Armorica, northwestern Gallia launch a revolt. The unrest continues until 417.


text: Spring – Gerontius, Roman general (magister militum), who had been a partisan of Constantine III, revolts in Hispania. He elevates Maximus, his domesticus, as emperor.


text: Mingyuan, age 17, succeeds Daowu as emperor of the Chinese Northern Wei (one of the Northern dynasties).


text: Following the invasions by the Vandals, Alans, and Suebi in 409, chroniclers report severe disruption to food supplies in Hispania and nearby regions, leading to famine and hardship.


text: Liu Yikang, prince of the Liu Song Dynasty (d. 451)


text: Daniel the Stylite, Christian saint (approximate date)


text: Daowu, emperor of the Northern Wei (b. 371)


text: Didymus and Verinianus, cousins of emperor Honorius.


text: Gao Yun, emperor of the Northern Yan


text: Li of Yan, empress, wife of Gao Yun (who died the same year)


text: Serena, noblewoman and wife of Stilicho


text: Mallius Theodorus, Roman consul (approximate date)


year_label: 41 CE

date: January 25

text: January 25 – After a night of negotiation, Claudius is accepted as emperor by the Senate.

source_section: Timeline › AD 41


text: Claudius makes Agrippa king of Judea.


text: Emperor Guang Wu of the Han Dynasty deposes his wife, Guo Shengtong, as empress, and makes his consort Yin Lihua empress in her place.


text: Messalina, wife of Claudius, persuades Claudius to have Seneca the Younger banished to Corsica on a charge of adultery with Julia Livilla.


date: January 24

text: January 24 – Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel despotism, is assassinated by his disgruntled Praetorian Guards.


text: An attack across the Rhine by the Germans is stopped by the Romans.


text: January 24 – Claudius succeeds his nephew, Caligula, as emperor.


text: Claudius restores religious freedom to Jews throughout the empire, but prohibits Jews in Rome from proselytising.


date: February 12

text: February 12 – Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, son of Claudius (d. AD 55)

source_section: Births › AD 41


text: January 24 – Caligula, Roman emperor (assassinated) (b. 12 AD)

source_section: Deaths › AD 41


text: January 24 – Julia Drusilla, daughter of Caligula (assassinated) (b. 39 AD)


text: January 24 – Milonia Caesonia, wife of Caligula (assassinated) (b. 6 AD)


text: Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, Roman consul (b. 17 BC)


text: Julia Livilla, daughter of Germanicus (starved to death) (b. 18 AD)


text: Asprenas Calpurnius Serranus, Roman politician


text: Prithivisena becomes king of the Vakataka in the Deccan (India).


text: According to Zosimus, this is the year when Emperor Honorius sends his Rescript (diplomatic letters) to the Romano-British magistrates, ending Roman rule in Great Britain. However this is likely an example of scribal error. Most recently, David Woods has argued that the account refers instead to Raetia, a Roman province north of Italy.


text: Spring – Constantine III crosses the Alps into Liguria (Northern Italy), but retreats to Gaul after Gerontius revolts in Spain against his son Constans II.


text: Galla Placidia, daughter of Theodosius I, is captured by the Visigoths and becomes a hostage during their move from the Italian Peninsula to Gaul.


text: The Eastern Roman Empire sends six legions (6,000 men) to aid Honorius at Ravenna. He negotiates with King Alaric I, who ceremonially deposes Priscus Attalus as co-emperor.


text: Raiders from Ireland, such as the Uí Liatháin and Laigin, harry the coasts of Wales. They plunder towns and capture slaves but later colonise large areas of what is called Gwynedd, in particular Llŷn, the coasts of Arllechwedd, Arfon and the Isle of Mona (approximate date).


text: At around this time, one of the first Anglo-Saxon settlements in Britain, Mucking, is established by the mouth of the Thames River. (approximate date)

source_section: Events › By place › Britain


text: Council of Seleucia: Persian Christians create a national church and adopt the Nicene Creed.


text: Honoratus founds the Monastery of Lérins on the île Saint-Honorat (France), and forms a monastic community.


text: Flavius Constantius, Roman general and politician, is promoted to the rank of magister militum. He becomes the imperial adviser of Honorius, and the power behind the throne in the Western Roman Empire.


text: The city of Aléria on the island of Corsica is devastated by a huge fire, destroying its port and most of its inhabitants.

source_section: Events › By place › Europe


text: Pope Gelasius I, Pope in Catholic church (d. 496)


text: Severinus of Noricum, monk and saint (approximate date)


text: Alaric I, king of the Visigoths


text: Yujiulü Shelun, khagan (emperor) of Xianbei


text: Murong Chao, emperor of Southern Yan (b. 385)


text: Alaric I marches southwards into Calabria and makes plans to invade Africa. But a storm destroys his Gothic fleet and many of his soldiers drown. Alaric dies in Cosenza, probably of fever, and his body is buried along with his treasure under the riverbed of the Busento. He is succeeded by his brother-in-law Ataulf, who becomes king of the Visigoths.


text: Hanzei, emperor of Japan (approximate date)


text: Following the defeat of Constantine III, the Burgundians and the Gallic nobility proclaim Jovinus, Gallo-Roman senator, emperor of the Western Roman Empire at Mogontiacum (modern Mainz).


text: The Teutonic tribes in Spain join the Roman Empire as foederati (allies with military commitments).


text: Battle or siege of Arles: Emperor Honorius sends two Roman generals to deal with the usurper Constantine III in Gaul. They take over the army of Gerontius, Constantine's rebellious general (magister militum) who flees to Spain, then defeat Edobichus near Arles and defeat Constantine III. He is taken prisoner and put to death at Ravenna.


text: Battle of Vienne: Emperor Constantine III sends his son Constans II to stop the advance of Gerontius. Constans is defeated and killed.


text: Ingyo succeeds his brother Hanzei, and becomes the 19th emperor of Japan.


text: King Ataulf leads the Goths into Gaul at the instigation of Honorius, who promises to recognise a Visigothic Kingdom if he defeats the several usurpers who threaten the Roman Empire.


text: The Alans establish their rule in the Roman province of Lusitania (Portugal south of the Duero River and Spain).


text: The Councils of Carthage are held, on the issue of Donatism.


text: Rabbula becomes bishop of Edessa.


text: Merovech, Founder of the Merovingian dynasty and grandfather of Clovis I (approximate date)


date: September 18

text: September 18 – Constantine III, Roman usurper


text: Constans II, usurper and son of Constantine III


text: Yax Nuun Ahiin I, king of Tikal (Guatemala) (approximate date)


text: Emperor Jovinus elevates his brother Sebastianus as co-emperor (Augustus) and takes control of Gaul.


text: The forts on the west bank of the Danube, which were destroyed by the Huns, are rebuilt, and a new Danubian fleet is launched.

source_section: Events › By place › Balkans


text: Heraclianus, governor (Comes Africae), revolts against Honorius and proclaims himself Augustus. He interrupts the grain supply to Rome. Honorius condemns him and his supporters to death with an edict at Ravenna.


text: The Visigoths, led by King Ataulf, move into the south of Gaul. He establishes his residence at Narbonne, and makes an alliance with Emperor Honorius, against the usurper Jovinus.


text: Fa-Hien, Chinese Buddhist monk, spends 2 years in Ceylon and is more than 200 days at sea as storms drive his ship off its course, but returns with sacred Buddhist texts back to China (see 414).


text: Winter – Olympiodorus, historical writer, is sent on an embassy by Honorius, and sails in stormy weather around Greece up the Black Sea, to meet the Huns who are located on the middle Danube (modern Bulgaria).


text: Lazarus, bishop of Aix-en-Provence, and Heros, bishop of Arles, are expelled from their sees on a charge of Manichaeism.


text: Cyril of Alexandria becomes Patriarch of Alexandria.


text: The Theodosian Walls are constructed at Constantinople during the reign of emperor Theodosius II. The work is carried out under supervision of Anthemius, notable praetorian prefect of the East.


text: An edict of Honorius outlaws Donatism.


date: February 8

text: February 8 – Proclus, Greek Neoplatonist philosopher (d. 485)

source_section: Births


text: Lu Huinan, empress dowager of the Liu Song dynasty (d. 466)


date: October 15

text: October 15 – Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria

source_section: Deaths


text: Wang Shen'ai, empress of the Jin dynasty (born 384)


text: Qifu Gangui, prince of the Xianbei state Western Qin


text: Gwanggaeto the Great, king of Goguryeo (b. 374)


date: May 8

text: May 8 – Honorius signs an edict providing tax relief for the Italian provinces Tuscia, Campania, Picenum, Samnium, Apulia, Lucania and Calabria, which were plundered by the Visigoths.

source_section: Events › By place › Roman Empire


text: Jangsu becomes ruler of the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo.


text: The Visigoths, led by King Ataulf, conquer the towns of Toulouse and Bordeaux by force of arms. After a successful siege of Valence, he captures the usurper Jovinus and his brother Sebastianus. In Narbonne they are executed and their heads are sent to Honorius' court at Ravenna.


text: Kumaragupta I succeeds his father Chandragupta II as emperor of the Gupta Empire (India).


text: Augustine of Hippo, age 59, begins to write his spiritual book De Civitate Dei (City of God), as a reply to the charge that Christianity was responsible for the decline of the Roman Empire.


date: March 7

text: March 7 – Heraclianus, Roman usurper


date: September 13

text: September 13 – Marcellinus of Carthage, martyr and saint


text: Jovinus, Roman usurper of Gaul


text: Sebastianus, Roman usurper and brother of Jovinus


text: Qiao Zong, warlord and prince of Chengdu


text: Prudentius, Roman Christian poet (b. 348)


text: Chandragupta II, emperor of the Gupta Empire


text: Kumarajiva, Buddhist monk and translator (b. 344)


text: Priscus Attalus is proclaimed rival emperor by the Visigoths for a second time at Bordeaux, in order to impose their terms on Honorius, who has his residence in Ravenna.


text: The Southern Liang, a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty, comes to an end.


text: Constantius III, Roman general (magister militum), begins a military campaign against the Visigoths in Gaul. He blockades the Gallic ports and besieges Marseille.


text: Abdas, bishop of Susa, burns down a Zoroastrian temple; in retaliation, King Yazdegerd I of Persia orders the destruction of churches.


text: Fa-Hien, Chinese Buddhist monk, returns from India and begins translating Buddhist works into Chinese.


date: January 1

text: January 1 – Galla Placidia, half-sister of emperor Honorius, is married to the Visigothic king Ataulf at Narbonne. The wedding is celebrated with Roman festivities and magnificent gifts from the Gothic booty.


date: July 4

text: July 4 – Emperor Theodosius II, age 13, yields power to his older sister Aelia Pulcheria, who reigns as regent and proclaims herself empress (Augusta) of the Eastern Roman Empire.


text: Synesius, bishop of Ptolemais (approximate date)


text: Yujiulü Hulü, ruler of the Rouran Khaganate (Mongolia)


text: Constantius, Roman general (magister militum), drives the Visigoths out of Gaul. He captures the usurper Priscus Attalus, and sends him under military escort to Ravenna.


text: Autumn – Wallia, brother of Athaulf, becomes king of the Visigoths. He accepts a peace treaty with emperor Honorius, in return for a supply of 600,000 measures of grain. After the negotiations he sends Placidia to Rome with hostages.


date: March

text: March – Hypatia of Alexandria, Neoplatonist philosopher, is murdered by a Christian mob of Nitrian monks at the church (former temple conceived by Cleopatra VII) called Caesareum. Having driven out the Jews, Alexandria's new patriarch, Cyril, has instigated the mob after taking offense at Hypatia's scientific rationalism (approximate date).


text: John Cassian, Christian theologian, settles at a monastery in Marseille (Gaul); he organizes monastic communities after an eastern model.


text: The Eustathian schism in Antioch is healed (approximate date).


date: March 18

text: March 18 – The Daysan River floods Edessa, Mesopotamia.


text: March – Hypatia of Alexandria, female Neoplatonist philosopher and mathematician, murdered in Egypt


date: August 15

text: August 15 – Athaulf, king of the Visigoths, assassinated


date: August 22

text: August 22 – Sigeric, king of the Visigoths, assassinated


text: Chandragupta II, emperor of the Gupta Empire (India) (probable date)


text: Thermantia, Roman empress consort


text: The Visigoths invade the Iberian Peninsula and begin to conquer territory taken previously by the Vandals. King Athaulf and his pregnant wife Galla Placidia leave Gallia Narbonensis; they relocate at Barcelona. Their infant son, Theodosius, dies in infancy, eliminating an opportunity for a Roman-Visigothic line. Athaulf is assassinated in the palace while taking a bath. Sigeric succeeds him, but after a reign of seven days he is also murdered.


text: Tufa Rutan, deposed Chinese prince of the Southern Liang, poisoned (b. 365)


text: The Visigoths continue their invasion of Hispania, and take control of Tarraconensis. King Wallia occupies the gold mines at Las Médulas, and forces Jewish citizens to convert to Christianity.


text: Rutilius Claudius Namatianus begins his journey home from Rome to Gaul. This becomes the subject of his unfinished poem, De Reditu Suo.


text: Priscus Attalus, Roman usurper, is forced to participate in a triumph celebrated by Emperor Honorius, in the streets of Rome. After the festivities, he is exiled to the Lipari Islands (north of Sicily).


text: Reports of the eruption of Krakatoa are recorded in a Javanese historical chronicle called the Book of Kings.


text: Yao Xing, emperor of the Qiang state Later Qin (b. 366)


text: Lü Long, last emperor of the Chinese Di state Later Liang


text: Huiyuan, Buddhist teacher and founder of the Donglin Temple (b. 334)


text: Nulji becomes king of the Korean kingdom of Silla.


text: The Visigoths are granted Aquitaine, and become allies (foederati) of the Western Roman Empire. King Wallia establishes his capital at Toulouse.


text: Exuperantius suppresses the Bagaudae Revolt in Armorica.


date: January

text: January – Pope Innocent I condemns Pelagianism, and excommunicates the ascetic Pelagius.


text: January 1 – Emperor Honorius forces his half-sister Galla Placidia into marriage to Constantius, his general (magister militum). He is appointed patricius and becomes a prominent member of the House of Theodosius.


text: Justa Grata Honoria, daughter of Constantius III (approximate date)


text: Peter the Iberian, Georgian theologian and Saint (approximate date)


date: March 12

text: March 12 – Innocent I dies after a 16-year reign in which he has restored relations between the sees of Rome and Antioch, enforced celibacy of the clergy, and maintained the right of the bishop of Rome to judge appeals from other churches. Innocent is succeeded by Zosimus as the 41st pope.


text: Li Gao, Chinese general of the state Western Liang (b. 351)


text: Yao Hong, last emperor of the Qiang state Later Qin (b. 388)


text: Theodoric I becomes king of the Visigoths. He completes the settlements in Gallia Aquitania and expands his military power to the south.


text: Emperor Honorius bribes Wallia, king of the Visigoths, into regaining Hispania for the Roman Empire. His victory over the Vandals in 416 forces them to retire to Baetica. The Visigothic territory in Gaul now extends from the Garonne to the Loire, and becomes known as the Visigothic Kingdom.


date: December 28

text: December 28 – Pope Boniface I succeeds Zosimus as the 42nd pope.


text: Eulalius is elected antipope of Rome. He claims in a letter to Honorius his recognition as pope.


text: Ricimer, Germanic Roman general


text: Yuryaku, emperor of Japan (approximate date)


text: A law is passed, prohibiting the act of instructing barbarians on shipbuilding in the Western and Eastern Roman Empires.


text: Jin Gongdi, age 33, succeeds his developmentally disabled brother Jin Andi as emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Andi is strangled by orders of the warlord Liu Yu.

source_section: Events › By place › China


date: July 2

text: July 2 – Valentinian III, emperor of the Western Roman Empire (d. 455)


text: Jin Andi, emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (b. 382)


year_label: 42 CE

text: The territories of the current Algeria and Morocco become a Roman province.

source_section: Timeline › AD 42


text: Suro becomes the first king of Geumgwan Gaya, on the Korean Peninsula.


text: Dalmatian legate Lucius Arruntius Camillus Scribonianus revolts, but his troops defect, and his rebellion quickly withers.


text: The Chinese General Ma Yuan represses the rebellions of the Trưng Sisters in Tonkin.


text: Romans take control of Ceuta, a port city on the North African side of the Strait of Gibraltar.


date: January 25

text: January 25 – The Apostle Paul is converted to Christianity (the exact date is not provided in texts, but the Roman Catholic Church chooses to commemorate this date).


text: Traditional date of foundation of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria by the apostle Mark the Evangelist.


text: Claudius begins construction of Portus, a harbour bearing a lighthouse on the right bank of the Tiber.


text: Sixtus I, pope of the Catholic Church (d. 124)

source_section: Births › AD 42


text: Herennius Philo, Greek grammarian and writer (d. 141)


text: Lucius Annius Vinicianus, Roman politician (committed suicide)

source_section: Deaths › AD 42


text: Gaius Appius Junius Silanus, Roman consul (executed)


text: Aulus Caecina Paetus, Roman politician (committed suicide)


text: Arria, Roman noblewoman (committed suicide)


text: Lucius Arruntius Camillus Scribonianus, Roman politician (committed suicide)


text: The Gupta Empire reaches its peak territorial extent under Chandragupta II and his son Kumaragupta I.

source_section: Events › By place › Asia


text: The Southern Dynasties begin in China.


text: Comes Asterius conducts campaign in Gallaecia and ends the usurpation of Maximus.


date: July 10

text: July 10 – The Jin Dynasty ends in China. Liu Yu (Emperor Wu of Liu Song) becomes the first ruler of the Liu Song Dynasty. The capital of the dynasty is Nanjing.


text: Guisin becomes king of the Korean kingdom of Baekje.


text: A Roman army under command of vicar Maurocellus suffers a defeat at Braga in Gallaecia.


text: The Franks cross the Rhine and invade Northern Gaul. In Italia an army is prepared to campaign with Castinus as chief.


text: Abdas, bishop of Susa, is accused of burning down one of the fire temples of Ahura Mazda, and after refusing to rebuild it, he is executed, under orders of Shah Yazdegerd I.


text: Euric, king of the Visigoths (d. 484)


text: Palladius, caesar and son of Petronius Maximus


text: Ecdicius, Roman general (magister militum)


text: Majorian, emperor of the Western Roman Empire


text: Anthemius, emperor of the Western Roman Empire


text: Yuan Can, high official of the Liu Song Dynasty (d. 477)


text: Valamir, king of the Ostrogoths (he is also thought to have been born in 425 AD)


text: Libius Severus, emperor of the Western Roman Empire


date: January 21

text: January 21 – Yazdegerd I, king of the Sassanid Empire


date: February 26

text: February 26 – Saint Porphyry, bishop of Gaza (Palestine)


date: September 30

text: September 30 – Saint Jerome, priest and translator of the Bible


text: Yazdegerd I dies after a 21-year reign, and is succeeded by his son Bahram V, who becomes head of the Persian Empire.


text: Yao, empress consort and wife of Mingyuan


text: Saint Abdas, bishop of Susa (Iran)


text: Orosius, Christian historian and theologian (approximate date)


text: Pelagius, British monk (approximate date)


text: Li Xin, duke of the Chinese state Western Liang


text: Autumn – Ardaburius devastates Arzanene (Armenia) and forces the Persians to retreat to Nisibis (Syria). King Bahram V allies himself with the Lakhmid Arabs of Hirah.


text: Castinus campaign against the Franks: A Roman army under command of Castinus fights against the Franks in Northern Gaul.


text: Roman–Sassanid War: Theodosius II starts a war against the Sassanids, sending an expeditionary force under command of Ardaburius, and invades Mesopotamia.


text: Rugila, chieftain of the Huns, attacks the dioceses of Dacia and Thrace (Balkans). Theodosius II allows Pannonian Ostrogoths to settle in Thrace, to defend the Danube frontier.


text: The Franks conquer new territories in their kingdom and sack the old Roman capital Augusta Treverorum (modern Trier).


date: February 8

text: February 8 – Constantius III is appointed co-emperor (Augustus) with his ineffectual brother-in-law, Honorius, and becomes the real ruler of the Western Roman Empire.


date: March 25

text: March 25 – Venice is founded at twelve o'clock noon (according to legend) with the dedication of the first church, San Giacomo, at the islet of Rialto (Italy).


date: June 7

text: June 7 – Emperor Theodosius II marries Aelia Eudocia, a woman of Greek origin. The wedding is celebrated at Constantinople with chariot racing in the Hippodrome.


date: September 2

text: September 2 – Constantius III dies suddenly of an illness; his wife Galla Placidia becomes, for the second time, a widow.


text: September 2 – Constantius III, emperor of the Western Roman Empire


text: Mary of Egypt, patron saint (approximate date)


text: Ravina I, rabbi (teacher) and Jewish Talmudist


text: Jin Gongdi, last emperor of the Jin Dynasty (b. 386)


text: Li Xun, ruler of the Chinese state Western Liang


text: End of the Roman–Sassanid War: Emperor Theodosius II signs a 100-year peace treaty with Persia after 2 years of war. He agrees to a status quo ante bellum ("the state in which things were before the war"), and both parties guarantee liberty of religion in their territories.


date: March 3

text: March 3 – Theodosius II issues a law to form provisions in peacetime. He instructs landowners leasing towers in the Theodosian Walls to assist with the build-up of emergency goods. Theodosius pays an annual tribute of 350 pounds of gold to the Huns in order to buy peace.


text: The Roman army invades Gaul; they capture and execute the Frankish king Theudemeres with his family.


text: Vandal war: The Roman commander-in-chief Castinus leads a defeat against the Vandals at Baetica.


text: Approximate date – A monastic community is established at the Maijishan Grottoes.

source_section: Events › By topic › Religion


text: Petrus, bishop of Illyria, starts construction of the Church of Santa Sabina (approximate date).

source_section: Events › By topic › Art


text: The walls of Rome's Flavian Amphitheater (Colosseum) crack during an earthquake.


text: Shao Di, age 16, eldest son of Wu Di, succeeds his father as emperor of the Liu Song dynasty (China).


text: Theodosius II receives a statue at Hebdomon, military parade ground on the shores of the Propontis, just outside Constantinople. On its base (fragments are now in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum), an inscription praises him as “everywhere and forever victorious.”


date: August 8

text: August 8 – Casper, ruler of the Maya city of Palenque


text: Licinia Eudoxia, Roman empress (d. 493)


text: Genevieve, patron saint of Paris (approximate date)


date: June 26

text: June 26 – Wu Di, emperor of the Liu Song dynasty (b. 363)


date: September 4

text: September 4 – Pope Boniface I dies after a 4-year reign that was interrupted for 15 weeks, by the faction of the antipope Eulalius. He is succeeded by Celestine I as the 43rd pope.


text: Fa-Hien, Chinese Buddhist monk and traveler (approximate date)


text: Theudemeres, king of the Franks (approximate date)


text: Abraham of Cyrrhus, Syrian hermit and bishop


text: Winter – Emperor Theodosius II refuses to recognize Joannes as emperor, and prepares for war. He mobilizes an expeditionary force under command of Ardaburius, and his son Flavius Aspar.


text: Theodoret becomes bishop of Cyrrhus (Syria). He converts more than 1,000 Marcionites in his diocese.


text: Early spring – Roman empress Galla Placidia departs with her children Grata Honoria and Valentinian to the court of Constantinople.


text: Theodosius the Cenobiarch, monk and founder of the Monastery of St. Theodosius (approximate date)


date: August 15

text: August 15 – Emperor Honorius, age 38, dies at Ravenna of dropsy, perhaps pulmonary edema. With no children to claim the throne, Joannes, primicerius notariorum ("chief notary", head of the civil service), seizes the throne of the Western Roman Empire, and is declared emperor. Among his supporters are Flavius Aetius, Roman general (magister militum). Joannes' rule is accepted in the dioceses of Gaul, Hispania and Italia, but not in Africa.


text: August 15 – Honorius, Roman Emperor (b. 384)


date: December 23

text: December 23 – Ming Yuan Di, ruler of the Xianbei state Northern Wei (b. 392)


text: Xiao Wenshou, empress dowager of the Liu Song dynasty (b. 343)


text: Tufa, Chinese princess and wife of Qifu Chipan


date: July 7

text: July 7 – (Jing'ping era, 2nd year, 5th month (wǔyuè), the yi'you day) Emperor Shao of the Liu Song dynasty of China, is deposed by government ministers Xu Xianzhi and Fu Liang, who install his younger brother Prince Liu Yilong as the new Emperor.


text: Church of the East declares itself independent, under Catholicos of the East Dadisho.

source_section: Events › Religion


text: Winter – A Roman army under the command of Ardaburius leaves Thessalonica (modern Central Macedonia) and marches for Northern Italy, where they make their base at Aquileia.


text: Roman usurper Joannes sends Flavius Aetius, governor of the Palace (cura palatii), to the Huns to ask for their assistance. After negotiating, he returns to Italy with a large force.


date: April 22

text: April 22 – Flavius Anthemius Isidorus becomes the new Praetorian prefect of Illyricum, comprising most of Greece and Serbia, taking office at the capital, Sirmium (now Sremska Mitrovica in Serbia).


date: August 4

text: August 4 – (Jing'ping era, 2nd year, 6th month ( liùyuè), the guichou day) Former Emperor Shao of China, exiled to Suzhou is murdered by an assassin.


date: September 17

text: September 17 – (Yuanjia era, 1st year, 8th month (bāyuè), dingyou day) Prince Liu Yilong is formally enthroned as the Emperor Wen of Song of China at its capital in Jiankang.


date: October 23

text: October 23 – Emperor Theodosius II nominates his cousin Valentinian, age 5, the imperial title nobilissimus Caesar ("most noble") of the Western Roman Empire. Valentinian is betrothed to Theodosius's own daughter Licinia Eudoxia, who is only 2 years old.


text: Roman civil war: Summer – Joannes, Roman usurper, is defeated at the fortified city of Ravenna and brought to Aquileia. After a humiliating parade on a donkey and the insults of the populace, he is executed.


text: Flavius Aetius leads a force of Huns (60,000 men) into Northern Italy. He reaches a compromise with Placidia, in return for obtaining the rank commander-in-chief (magister militum) in Gaul.


text: Buddhism begins to spread to Southeast Asia.


text: October 23 – Valentinian III, six-year-old son of Galla Placidia, is installed as emperor (Augustus) of the Western Roman Empire. Real power is in the hands of his mother who becomes a regent.


text: The Huns advance unopposed on Constantinople, but are halted by a plague that decimates their hordes (see 433).


date: February 27

text: February 27 – The University of Constantinople is founded by emperor Theodosius II at the urging of his wife Aelia Eudocia.

source_section: Events › By topic › Education


text: c. 425–426 – Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is built.

source_section: Events › By topic › Arts and Sciences


text: Iamblichus, Syrian philosopher


text: Zeno, Byzantine Emperor (approximate date)


date: November 5

text: November 5 – Atticus, archbishop of Constantinople


text: Gamaliel VI, last Nasi (head of the Sanhedrin)


text: Sulpicius Severus, Christian writer (approximate date)


text: After death of Gamaliel VI, the Sanhedrin is disbanded by the Roman Empire.

source_section: Events › By place › Israel


text: Helian Bobo, emperor of the Chinese Xiongnu state Xia (born 381)


text: Yax Nuun Ahiin I 15th Ajaw of Tikal (approximate date)


text: Rex Flavius Gundericus of the Vandals accepts the request of the Alans in Hispania to become their ruler (approximate date).


text: Flavius Aetius, Roman general (magister militum), ends the Gothic revolt of Theodoric I in southern Gaul.


text: Augustine of Hippo publishes the De Civitate Dei, City of God.

source_section: Events › By place › Religion


text: Sisinnius becomes Archbishop of Constantinople.


text: K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo' becomes the founder of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization at Copán (modern Honduras).

source_section: Events › By place › Mesoamerica


text: Liu Shao, emperor of the Liu Song Dynasty (d. 453)


text: Zhang, empress dowager of the Liu Song Dynasty


text: Xu Xianzhi, official of the Liu Song Dynasty (b. 364)


text: Fu Liang, official of the Liu Song Dynasty (b. 374)


text: Xie Hui, general of the Liu Song Dynasty (b. 390)


text: The Roman province of Pannonia Prima is finally assimilated into the Hunnic Empire.

source_section: Events › By place › Europe


text: King Jangsu transfers the Goguryeo capital from Gungnae City (modern Ji'an, Jilin) on the banks of the Yalu River to Pyongyang (modern Korea).


text: The Ephthalites (White Huns) invade Western Asia and reduce the Sasanian Empire threat to the Eastern Roman Empire. King Bahram V sends an expeditionary force into Khorasan.


text: Biyu becomes king of the Korean kingdom of Baekje.


text: Bonifacius, Roman governor (Last of the Romans), revolts in Africa against Emperor Valentinian III. Under the influence of Aetius, he is convicted of treason by empress-mother Galla Placidia.


text: Wang Xianyuan, empress and wife of Song Xiaowudi (d. 464)

source_section: Births


text: Qi Gaodi, Chinese emperor of the Southern Qi Dynasty (d. 482)


text: Erbin of Dumnonia, Brythonic king (approximate date)


date: December 24

text: December 24 – Sisinnius I, archbishop of Constantinople

source_section: Deaths


text: Tao Qian, Chinese poet of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (b. 365)


text: Guisin, king of Baekje (Korea)


text: Flavius Felix is elected consul for the Western Empire and issues consular diptychs during his political office.

source_section: Events › By place › Roman Empire


text: Flavius Aetius gains appointment as master of both services (magister militum praesentalis), after gaining victories in Gaul over Visigoth and Frankish forces.


text: Artaxias IV, last king of Greater Armenia, is deposed by Bahram V. The Arshakuni Dynasty ends and the kingdom becomes a province of the Persian Empire.


text: Frankish War (428): Commander-in-chief of the Roman army Aetius put an end to the invasion of Chlodio, king of the Salian Franks in Northern Gaul.


text: King Vortigern invites a number of Germanic warriors to aid him in consolidating his position in Britain, according to the Historia Brittonum. He hires Saxons who are probably settled in Kent as mercenaries to fight against the Picts and the Scots beyond Hadrian's Wall.


date: April 10

text: April 10 – Nestorius is made patriarch of Constantinople. He preaches a new doctrine, that will be called Nestorianism. It makes a distinction between the divine and human natures of Jesus, but comes under immediate attack from Pope Celestine I, and Cyril of Alexandria.


text: Euthymius the Great builds a monastery in Palestine, near the Dead Sea.


text: Hydatius becomes bishop of Aquae Flaviae in Gallaecia (modern Chaves) in Portugal.


text: John succeeds Theodotus as patriarch of Antioch, and gives his support to Nestorius.


date: October 26

text: October 26 – The planet Venus occults the planet Jupiter.

source_section: Events › By topic › Astronomy


text: Tuoba Huang, prince of the Xianbei state Northern Wei (d. 451)


text: King Gunderic, age 49, dies after a reign of 21 years, and is succeeded by his half-brother Genseric. He is styled with the title Rex Wandalorum et Alanorum ("King of the Vandals and Alans"). Genseric increases his power and wealth in the residence of the province of Hispania Baetica (Southern Spain).


text: Theodore of Mopsuestia, bishop and theologian


text: Gunderic, king of the Vandals and Alans (b. 379)


text: Qifu Chipan, prince of the Xianbei state Western Qin


text: Spring – The Vandals, led by Genseric ("Caesar King"), invade North Africa. They land with a force of 80,000 men including Alans, and Germanic tribesmen with their families from the Iberian Peninsula, across the narrow Strait of Gibraltar. The Vandal fleet raids the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, and blockades the grain and oil supply to Italy.


text: Bonifacius, weakened by the civil war against empress Galla Placidia, sues for peace and is elevated to the rank of supreme commander (magister militum) of Africa.


text: Genseric seizes lands from the Berbers and destroys church buildings all over Mauretania. He goes on a rampage forcing Bonifacius, Roman governor, to retreat to the fortified coastal town of Hippo Regius (modern Annaba).


text: Emperor Theodosius II starts to reform the Codex Theodosianus in Constantinople. He establishes a committee to codify all Roman laws. All funds raised by Jews to support schools have to be turned over to the state treasury.


text: Domnus II, future patriarch of Antioch, is ordained as a deacon.


text: Pope Celestine I dispatches two bishops from Gaul, Germanus of Auxerre and Lupus of Troyes to Britain combat the Pelagian heresy.


text: Hilary succeeds his kinsman Honoratus and becomes archbishop of Arles.


text: The Temple of Goddess Athena on the Acropolis of Athens is sacked. Athenian Pagans are persecuted.


text: Liu Jun, prince of the Liu Song dynasty (d. 453)


text: Zu Chongzhi, Chinese mathematician (d. 500)


date: January 6

text: January 6 – Honoratus, archbishop of Arles


text: Heremigarius, military leader of the Suebi


year_label: 43 CE

text: Vietnam is designated a province of China.

source_section: Timeline › AD 43


text: The Romans now have complete control of the Mediterranean Sea.


text: Claudius annexes Lycia in Asia Minor, combining it with Pamphylia as a Roman province.


date: September

text: September – Emperor Claudius, who arrives with reinforcements including war elephants, leads the march on Camulodunum (modern Colchester). Eleven British kings, probably including those of the Iceni and Brigantes, submit without a fight. Plautius becomes the first Governor of Roman Britain.


text: Warfare begins between the northern and southern Huns.


text: The warrior Trung Sisters commit suicide after their resistance is defeated at Nam Viet.


text: Vespasian begins to subdue the south-west.


text: King Vardanes I of Parthia forces the city of Seleucia on the Tigris to surrender.


text: The Romans capture a Brythonic settlement at Kent and rename it Durovernum Cantiacorum (modern Canterbury); and establish a Roman fort to guard the crossing of the Kentish River Stour.


text: In Coptic Orthodox Christianity, Mark the Evangelist becomes the first Pope of Alexandria, thus establishing the Christian Church in Africa.


text: Roman London (Londinium) is established on the Thames.


text: The Romans begin to construct forts, such as at Peterborough, and a road that later becomes Ermine Street.


text: Pomponius Mela, Roman geographer, writes De situ orbis libri (approximate date).


text: Julia Livia, daughter of Drusus Julius Caesar, is executed at the instigation of Claudius' wife Messalina.


text: Martial, Roman poet (approximate date)

source_section: Births › AD 43


text: Trưng Sisters, Vietnamese military leaders (approximate date)

source_section: Deaths › AD 43


text: Aemilia Lepida, Roman noblewoman, fiancée of Claudius (b. 5 BC)


text: Togodumnus, king of the Catuvellauni


text: Julia Livia, daughter of Drusus Julius Caesar (executed)


text: Appius Junius Silanus, Roman consul (executed)


text: Feng Ba abdicates as emperor of the Northern Yan, one of the states vying for control of China. He is succeeded by his brother Feng Hong.

source_section: Events › By place › Asia


date: April

text: April - Aetius defeats the Juthungi during his campaign in the Alps.


date: August 28

text: August 28 – Augustine dies during the siege of Hippo Regius at age 75, leaving behind his monumental work The City of God and other works that will have influence on Christianity.

source_section: Events › By topic › Religion


text: Aetius puts an end to the Gothic revolt of Anaolsus, not far from Arles; Anaolsus is taken prisoner.


text: Saint Patrick reaches Ireland on his missionary expedition (approximate date).


text: Peter the Iberian founds a Georgian monastery near Bethlehem.


text: Spring – The Vandals under King Genseric extend their power in North Africa along the Mediterranean Sea, and lay siege to Hippo Regius (where Augustine has recently been bishop).


date: May

text: May - Flavius Felix, his wife and a deacon are accused of plotting against Aetius. They are arrested in Ravenna and executed. Aetius is granted the title of patricius (Roman nobility).


text: Asclepigenia, Athenian philosopher and mystic (d. 485)


text: Xiao Wu Di, emperor of the Liu Song dynasty (d. 464)


text: Syagrius, Roman official and son of Aegidius


text: Victor Vitensis, African bishop (approximate date)


text: Sidonius Apollinaris, bishop and diplomat (approximate date)


text: Marcia Euphemia, Roman Empress (approximate date)


text: Julius Nepos, Western Roman Emperor (d. 480)


text: May – Flavius Felix, Roman consul


text: August 28 – Augustine of Hippo, bishop and theologian (b. 354)


text: Saint Aurelius, bishop of Carthage (approximate date)


text: Plutarch of Athens, Greek philosopher


text: Octar, Hunnic ruler (approximate date)


text: Feng Ba, emperor of the Chinese state Northern Yan


text: The Huns led by Octar attack the Burgundians, who occupied territory on the Rhine near the city of Worms (Germany). During the fighting Octar dies, and his army is destroyed.


text: Nilus of Sinai, bishop and saint (approximate date)


date: March 10

text: March 10 – Kʼukʼ Bahlam I, the first known ruler of the Mayan city-state of Palenque (the modern-day state of Chiapas in southern Mexico) comes to power and reigns until his death four years later.

source_section: Events › By place › Central America


text: Aetius pushes the Salian Franks back across the River Somme. King Chlodio signs a peace treaty and becomes a foederatus of the Western Roman Empire.


text: Aspar is routed by the Vandals and Flavius Marcian, future Byzantine emperor, is captured during the fighting. He negotiates a peace with King Genseric and maintains imperial authority in Carthage.

source_section: Events › By place › Africa


text: Hippo Regius becomes the capital of the Vandal Kingdom. After 14 months of hunger and disease, the Vandals ravage the city. Emperor Theodosius II sends an imperial fleet with an army under command of Aspar, and lands at Carthage.


text: Aetius campaign in the Alps: Flavius Aetius, Roman general (magister militum), fights the rebellion in Rhaetia (Switzerland) and Noricum (Austria). He is attested in the city of Vindelicia (modern Augsburg), reestablishing Roman rule on the Danube frontier.


date: June

text: June – First Council of Ephesus: Nestorianism is rejected; the Nicene Creed is declared to be complete. Nestorius is deposed from his see.


date: October 1

text: October 1 – Maximianus is enthroned as Patriarch of Constantinople.


text: Pope Celestine I dispatches Palladius to serve as bishop to the Irish.


text: Possible date of the Tierra Blanca Joven (TBJ) eruption of the Ilopango caldera in central El Salvador.


text: Greek Neoplatonist philosopher Proclus begins studying at the Academy in Athens.


text: Odoacer, first "barbarian" king of Italy (d. 493)


text: Anastasius I, emperor of the Byzantine Empire (approximate date)


date: June 22

text: June 22 – Paulinus of Nola, Christian bishop and poet (b. 354)


text: Qifu Mumo, prince of the Chinese Xianbei state Western Qin


text: The Huns are united by King Rugila (also called Rua) on the Hungarian Plain. He exacts annual peace payments from the Eastern Roman Empire.


text: Sebastianus, son-in-law of Bonifacius, becomes supreme commander (magister militum) of the Western Roman army. Empress Galla Placidia gives him considerable influence over imperial policy.


text: Saint Patrick, Roman Britain-born missionary, is consecrated a bishop and converts the Irish to Christianity until his death around 460.


text: Assembly begins on The Parting of Lot and Abraham, a mosaic in the nave arcade of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

source_section: Events › By topic › Art


text: The Basilica of Saint Sabina at the Aventine (Rome) is finished by Priest Petrus of Illyria.


date: December 25

text: December 25 – Christmas is celebrated for the first time in Alexandria (approximate date).


text: Moninne, one of Ireland's early women saints (approximate date).


date: July 27

text: July 27 – Pope Celestine I dies after a 10-year reign in which he led a vigorous policy against Nestorianism. He is succeeded by Sixtus III as the 44th pope.


text: Roman civil war: Roman forces under command of Flavius Aetius are defeated near Rimini (Italy) in battle. His rival comes Bonifacius is mortally wounded and dies several days later. Aetius flees to Dalmatia and seeks refuge with the Huns.


text: Wang Hong, official of the Liu Song dynasty (b. 379)


text: Anicia Faltonia Proba, Roman noblewoman


text: Bonifacius, Roman general and governor in Africa (born 354 BC).


text: Helian Ding, emperor of the Chinese Xiongnu state Xia.


text: Saint Ninian, missionary in Scotland (approximate date)


text: Flavius Aetius returns to Italy with the support of the Huns. He gains control over the young emperor Valentinian III, and becomes his "protector".


text: Petronius Maximus is appointed consul of the Western Roman Empire.


text: Pope Sixtus III helps to settle a Christological dispute between the patriarchs Cyril of Alexandria and John of Antioch, that has continued since the First Council of Ephesus, two years ago. They sign the "Formula of Reunion", thus ending their conflict over Nestorianism.


text: Liu Bing, high official of the Liu Song dynasty (d. 477)


text: Huiguo, Chinese Buddhist Abbess (b. 364)


text: Xie Lingyun, Chinese poet of the Southern and Northern dynasties (b. 385)


text: Juqu Mengxun, prince of the Xiongnu state Northern Liang (b. 368)


text: Summer – The Huns under Rugila devastate Thrace and move steadily towards Constantinople. The citizens prepare themselves for a long siege, depending on the strength of the Theodosian Walls.


text: Flavius Aetius, Roman general (magister militum) in the service of Emperor Valentinian III, begins to hold power in Rome (this will continue for 20 years). He allows the Huns to settle in Pannonia, along the Sava River.


text: The Vandals in North Africa defeat the Roman general Aspar and force him to withdraw. He serves as consul at Constantinople.


text: Attila, king of the Huns, consolidates his power in the Hungarian capital, probably on the site of Buda (modern Budapest). He jointly rules the kingdom with his brother Bleda.


text: Justa Grata Honoria, older sister of Valentinian, becomes pregnant from an officer in her household. Circles in the court at Ravenna assume inevitably that Honoria is planning to raise her paramour to imperial rank and challenge her brother. Valentinian then has him executed.


date: April 12

text: April 12 – Maximianus dies on Great and Holy Thursday. He is succeeded by Proclus, who becomes archbishop of Constantinople.


text: April 12 – Maximianus, archbishop of Constantinople


text: Helian Chang, emperor of the Chinese Xiongnu state Xia


text: Rugila, king of the Huns (approximate date)


text: Emperor Theodosius II bribes the Huns (after the death of Rugila) to keep the peace in the Eastern Roman Empire.


text: Tao Sheng, Chinese Buddhist scholar


text: Second revolt of Bagaudae in Armorica under leading of Tibatto.


text: Roman general (magister militum) Flavius Aetius begins a campaign in Gaul against the Burgundians, following their raids into neighbouring Gallia Belgica by King Gunther.


text: King Genseric concludes a peace treaty with the Romans, under which the Vandals retain Mauretania and a part of Numidia as foederati (allies under a special treaty) of Rome.


text: Huneric, eldest son of Genseric, is sent as a child hostage to the court at Ravenna to secure the alliance with the Western Roman Empire.


text: The Vandals use Hippo Regius (modern Annaba) as a port for their expeditions. Genseric establishes a merchant fleet to transport goods between Africa and the Italian mainland.


date: August 3

text: August 3 – Theodosius II exiles Nestorius, archbishop of Constantinople, to a monastery in the Libyan desert at the behest of his sister Pulcheria.


date: August 10

text: August 10 – A figure known to Mayanist scholars as "Casper" begins a 52-year reign in the Mayan city-state of Palenque what is now the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico, and reigns until his death in 487.


date: November 14

text: November 14 – Emperor Theodosius II orders a new edict for the death penalty of all heretics and pagans in the Empire. Judaism is considered a legal non-Christian religion.


text: Ibas is elected bishop of Edessa. He becomes associated with the growth of Nestorianism and openly preaching heretical doctrines in public.


date: December 8

text: December 8 – On the Mayan calendar, the era of the 9th Baktun begins. There is a change in political alliances just preceding the event when royal personages from the Mexican highland city of Teotihuacan consolidate power individually as Mayan kings.


text: John Cassian, Desert Father and theologian


text: Philip of Side, Christian church historian (approximate date)


text: Pelagius, British monk (approximate date)


text: End of the Burgundian Revolt of Gunther: Flavius Aetius, Roman general (magister militum), attempts to put an end to Burgundian raids in Gaul. He calls in Hun mercenaries under the command of Attila and his brother Bleda, which plunder Augusta Vangionum, killing some 20,000 Burgundians. The Kingdom of the Burgundians is destroyed; King Gunther and his family are killed (this epic disaster will later provide the source for the Nibelungenlied).


text: In the Gothic War (436-439) besieges king Theodoric I the city of Narbonne; the Visigoths obtain access to the Mediterranean Sea and the roads to the Pyrenees.


text: The Buddhist Srimala Sutra is translated into Chinese by Gunabhadra.


text: Wang Zhenfeng, empress of the Liu Song dynasty (d. 479)


date: April 9

text: April 9 – Tan Daoji, general of the Liu Song dynasty


text: Gunther, king of the Burgundians (approximate date)


text: Chu Lingyuan, last empress of the Jin dynasty (b. 384)


text: Battle of Wallop: Ambrosius Aurelianus, leader of the Romano-British, defeats the Anglo Saxons under King Vortigern. He is given all the kingdoms of the western side of Britain (according to Historia Brittonum).


text: Flavius Aetius, Roman general (magister militum) beats Tibatto and ends temporary the uprising of the Baguads. Then he secures the besieged city of Narbonne (Southern Gaul) against King Theodoric I. He concludes a peace treaty with the Visigoths, and becomes consul for the second time.


date: July 2

text: July 2 – Valentinian III, age 18, rules as emperor over the Western Roman Empire. His mother Galla Placidia ends her regency, but continues to exercise political influence until her death in 450.


text: A synod at Constantinople attempts to impinge on the Pope's rights in Illyria. Proclus tries to implement the synod's decisions, and Pope Sixtus III reminds the Illyrian bishops of their obligations to his vicar at Thessaloniki.


date: October 29

text: October 29 – Valentinian III cements an alliance with the eastern emperor, Theodosius II, by marrying his daughter Licinia Eudoxia in Constantinople. This marks the reunion of the two branches of the House of Theodosius.


text: Childeric I, king of the Salian Franks (approximate date)


text: Remigius, bishop of Reims (approximate date)


text: Li Jingshou, princess of the Xiongnu state Northern Liang


text: K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo' dies after an 11-year reign. He is the founder and first ruler of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization centered at Copán (modern Honduras).


text: In the Gothic War (436-439) besieges Flavius Aetius over the Visigoths in the Battle of Mons Colubrarius.


text: The last gladiatorial fights are held in the Colosseum in Rome.


text: Relics of John Chrysostom are transported to Constantinople.


text: King Hermeric of the Suebic Kingdom of Galicia is forced to retire after a seven-year illness. He hands the government over to his son Rechila.


text: Emperor Theodosius II forbids the divulging of secrets of naval carpentry, probably to avoid its spread to the rising Vandal power in North Africa.

source_section: Events › By place › Byzantium


date: February 15

text: February 15 – The Codex Theodosianus, a collection of edicts of Roman law, is published.


text: Aelia Eudocia, wife of Theodosius II, goes on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, bringing back with her holy relics to prove her faith.


text: Basina, queen of Thuringia (approximate date)


text: Epiphanius, bishop of Pavia (d. 496)


text: Feng Hong, last emperor of Northern Yan


text: Bahram V dies after an 18-year reign as Sassanid king of the Persian Empire. He is succeeded by his son Yazdegerd II.

source_section: Events › By place › Persia


text: Bahram V, king of the Persian Empire


text: The Vandals establish a North African granary that enables them to enforce their will on other nations, who are dependent on North Africa for grain and other food staples.


date: October 19

text: October 19 – Carthage falls to the Vandals. Genseric makes it his capital and establishes the Vandal Kingdom.


text: The Northern Wei empire annexes Northern Liang and unifies Northern China, concluding the Sixteen Kingdoms era.


text: Vandal War (439-442): King Genseric breaks his treaty with the Western Roman Empire and invades Africa Proconsularis.


text: Battle of Guoloph: Vitalinus (possibly Vortigern) is defeated at the hands of Ambrosius Aurelianus, and a combined force of Romano-British forces from across southern Britain.


text: Gothic War (436-439): Litorius, Roman general (Magister militum per Gallias), lays siege to Toulouse. During the decisive battle before the walls he suffers a severe defeat and is killed, and only the heavy loss of Visigoths makes King Theodoric I decide to agree to a provisional restoration of the status quo.


text: Winter – Hun and Roman envoys meet at Margum (modern Bosnia and Herzegovina), an important market town on the Sava River. After negotiations, Attila and his brother Bleda, who are present, accept a four-point peace plan. Trading rights between the two states are confirmed and emperor Theodosius II pays an annual tribute of 700 pounds of gold.


text: The Historia Ecclesiastica of Socrates of Constantinople is concluded, perhaps due to the author's death.


text: The monastery of Mar Saba is founded near Bethlehem (Palestine).


text: Licinia Eudoxia, wife of emperor Valentinian III, is granted the title of Augusta following the birth of their daughter Eudocia.


text: Sabbas the Sanctified, Christian monk and saint (d. 532)


text: Ming Di, emperor of the Liu Song Dynasty (d. 472)


text: Eudocia, Vandal queen and daughter of Valentinian III


text: Isaac, patriarch of Armenia (b. 338)


text: Sima Maoying, empress of the Liu Song Dynasty (b. 393)


text: Isaac the Great, Armenian apostolic patriarch, dies at Ashtishat. He helped to develop a Greek-inspired alphabet, and translate the Bible, along with various Christian writings, into Armenian.


text: Spearthrower Owl, ruler of Teotihuacan (Mexico)


text: Litorius, general of the Western Roman Empire


year_label: 44 CE

text: The Isle of Rhodes returns to the Roman Empire.

source_section: Timeline › AD 44


text: Mauretania becomes a Roman province.


text: Emperor Claudius returns from his British campaign in triumph, the south-east part of Britannia now held by the Roman Empire, but the war will rage for another decade and a half.


text: Minjung becomes ruler of the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo.


text: Cuspius Fadus (Roman governor of Judea) suppresses the revolt of Theudas, who is decapitated.


text: Judaea is controlled by Roman governors.


text: Pomponius Mela writes De situ orbis, a geography of the Earth.


text: (Approximate date, may be as late as 48) A famine takes place in Judea.


text: Boudicca marries Prasutagus, king of the British Celtic tribe the Iceni (doubtful).


text: Wu Han, general of the Han Dynasty

source_section: Deaths › AD 44


text: Herod Agrippa I, king of Judea (b. 11 BC)


text: Daemusin, Korean ruler of Goguryeo


text: James the Great, apostle of Jesus (executed by the order of King Agrippa I)


text: Chaturanga, Indian war game and an ancestor of chess through the Persian game of Shatranj (or Chatrang), evolves in the Indus Valley on the Indian subcontinent (approximate date).

source_section: Events › By topic › Ancient Games


text: Flavius Aetius, Roman general (magister militum), returns as triumphator back to Rome, after several years' fighting the Burgundians and Visigoths in Gaul. He is honoured by a statue erected by the Senate, and by order of Emperor Valentinian III.

source_section: Events › By place › Europe


text: The Huns under Attila reappear in force, along the frontier of the Western Roman Empire. They attack merchants on the north bank of the Danube and cities in Illyricum, including (according to Priscus) Viminacium, city of Moesia.


text: A Vandal fleet and their allies (Alans, Goths and Moors) set out from Carthage for Sicily, the principal supplier of oil and grain to Italy after the loss of North Africa. They loot all the coastal towns and besiege Palermo. Heavily laden ships return to the court of King Genseric.


text: A center of Buddhist studies is established at Nalanda in Bihar on the plains of the Ganges River (India).


text: The Hephthalites (White Huns) move south from the Altai Mountains region into Transoxiana, Bactria, Khorasan and eastern Persia.


date: September 29

text: September 29 – Leo I begins to formulate Orthodoxy and condemns Eutychianism, an extreme form of monophysitism which holds that the human nature of Christ is absorbed by His divine nature.


text: Winter – Leo I sends a letter to Valentinian III stating, "by the Holy Spirit's inspiration the emperor needs no human instruction and is incapable of doctrinal error".


section: Economy & Finance

text: Northern and Southern dynasties: Northern China is unified by the Northern Wei dynasty. The South is still under the control of the Song (or Liu Song) dynasty.


text: The Parting of Lot and Abraham, mosaic in the nave arcade, Church of Santa Maria Maggiore (Rome), is made.


text: Wen Cheng Di, emperor of the Northern Wei dynasty (d. 465)

source_section: Births


text: Gaudentius, son of Flavius Aetius (approximate date)


text: Euric, Visigothic king and son of Theodoric I (d. 484)


text: Qi Wudi, Chinese emperor of the Southern Qi dynasty (d. 493)


text: Bodhidharma, semi-legendary Buddhist monk (approximate date)


text: Vakhtang I, king of Iberia (modern Georgia) (approximate date)


text: Tonantius Ferreolus, Gallo-Roman senator and prefect of Gaul


date: February 17

text: February 17 – Mesrob, Armenian monk and linguist (b. 362)

source_section: Deaths


date: August 18

text: August 18 – Pope Sixtus III dies after an 8-year reign in which he has resisted heresy and sponsored major construction programs in Rome. He is succeeded by Leo I as the 45th pope.


text: August 18 – Pope Sixtus III (b. 390)


text: Amalgaid mac Fiachrae, king of Connacht (Ireland)


text: Yuan Qigui, empress and wife of Wen of Liu Song (b. 405)


text: King Yazdegerd II of Persia signs a peace treaty after a short war with the Eastern Roman Empire. Theodosius II sends his commander, Anatolius, to conclude his terms and promise not to build any new fortifications along the border territories.


text: Rechila invades Baetica and conquers the capital Seville. The Romans are driven from the Iberian Peninsula with the exception of the Levante.


text: The Huns, led by Attila, attack Constanţa (modern Romania), one of the few remaining Roman forts on the northern bank of the Danube, and designated as a secure trading post. On a crowded market day, the Huns take the town by surprise and slaughter the garrison.


text: The second Revolt of Bagaudae in Armorica under leading of Eudoxius is knocked down by the Alans. Eudoxius fled to the Huns.


text: Theodosius II sends the Eastern imperial fleet, under the command of the Romano-Goth Areobindus, into Sicilian waters, taking the Vandals by surprise.


date: November 8

text: November 8 – The first Council of Orange is convened under the guidance of Hilary of Arles in Orange (France).


text: Pulcheria leaves for the seaport Hebdomon (Turkey), and becomes a nun to support Nestorianism in the Holy Land (Palestine).


text: Domnus II succeeds his uncle John as Patriarch of Antioch.


text: Chrysaphius, chief minister, persuades Emperor Theodosius II at Constantinople to dismiss his sister Pulcheria, for her policy of exiling the Jews, and destroying their synagogues.


text: Shen Yue, Chinese historian and statesman (d. 513)


text: King Hermeric dies after a two-year illness; he is succeeded by his son Rechila, who becomes sole ruler over the Suebic Kingdom of Galicia.


text: End of the Vandal War (439-442): Emperor Valentinian III signs a peace treaty with King Genseric, and recognises the Vandal Kingdom. He grants him sovereignty over most of Africa. Genseric gives back Sicily and Mauretania (Algeria and Morocco). This marks the end of the Vandal migrations; they settle in North Africa, with Carthage as their capital.


text: The Huns, on a military campaign along the Danube and the Great Morava, destroy the city of Naissus (modern Serbia). They have mastered siege technology and are able to capture fortified cities. The Roman Senate agrees to pay Attila a tribute of 700 pounds of gold per year.


text: The Monastery of St. Shenouda the Archimandrite (White Monastery) near Sohag (Egypt) is built.


text: Valentinian III forms a marriage proposal for his eldest daughter Eudocia and Genseric's son Huneric. He is already married to a Visigoth princess, and Genseric decides to free him of his obligations by accusing her of trying to poison him. He leaves her mutilated - her ears and nose are cut off - and sends her back to her father Theodoric I, in Toulouse (Gaul).


text: Feng, Chinese empress and regent of the Northern Wei dynasty (d. 490)


text: Placidia, Roman empress and daughter of Valentinian III (approximate date)


text: Isidore of Miletus, Byzantine architect and mathematician (d. 537)


text: Veh Mihr Shapur, Sasanian military officer and Marzban of Armenia


text: The Burgundians sign a peace treaty with Rome, agreeing to serve as foederati in the Roman army. They begin to move from the Upper Rhine and Flavius Aetius, commander-in-chief (magister militum), gives them land in the Geneva area (Maxima Sequanorum).


text: Gunabhadra, Indian Buddhist monk, is an invited honored guest by emperor Wen of Liu Song (Liu Song dynasty). He translates the Lankavatara Sutra from Sanskrit into the Chinese language.


text: Period of civil war and famine in Britain, caused by rival kingdoms and Pictish invasions; the situation aggravates tensions between Pelagian and Roman factions. Pro-Roman citizens migrate towards Gaul.


text: Zong Bing, Chinese artist and musician


text: Flavius Aetius, Roman general (magister militum), settles the Alans around Valence and Orléans, to contain unrest in Brittany.


text: Attila the Hun establishes his residence along the Tisza River (modern Hungary), and plans the coming campaign in the Balkans.


text: Dioscorus I becomes Patriarch of Alexandria.


text: Pope Leo I extinguishes the Gallican vicariate.


text: The Irish city of Armagh is founded by Saint Patrick the Great.


text: Eudocia, eldest daughter of Emperor Valentinian III, is betrothed to Huneric, son of Vandal King Genseric (hostage in Italy).


text: Xiao Ni, prince of Southern Qi (d. 492)


text: Juqu Wuhui, prince of Northern Liang


text: Cyril of Alexandria, patriarch and theologian


text: Valentinian III issued Novel 17 (Novella XVII) on July 8. It was an imperial edict recognizing papal authority in the Western Roman Empire.


text: Domnus II, Patriarch of Antioch, summons a synod of Syrian bishops to confirm the deposition of Athanasius of Perrha.


text: Petronius Maximus, prominent aristocrat, is given the title of Patrician. He becomes the most honored of all non-imperial Romans, and political rival of Flavius Aetius.


text: Ireland: The Diocese of Armagh is created.


text: Roman emperor Valentinian III issues Novel 18 (Novella XVIII) on June 19, an imperial edict against Manichaeism. Heavy penalties are decreed against those who do not denounce the religion, and retain Manichaean books.


text: Fan Ye, Chinese historian (b. 398)


text: Arsenius the Great, Desert Father


text: Nath Í mac Fiachrach, High King of Ireland


text: King Bleda of the Huns (approximate date)


text: Bleda, co-ruler of the Huns, dies in a hunting accident. He is possibly murdered at the instigation of his younger brother Attila, with whom he has ruled since 434. Now about 39, Attila takes the throne for himself, and becomes king of the Hunnic Empire.


text: The Britons and Anglo-Saxon mercenaries, under King Vortigern, appeal to Flavius Aetius (magister militum of Gaul) for military assistance in their struggle against the Picts and Irish. Aetius has enough problems with Attila the Hun and is unable to send any help (according to Groans of the Britons).


text: Bishop Germanus of Auxerre visits Ravenna, seeking to soften imperial hostility towards the Bagaudae. On his arrival at the capital, empress-mother Galla Placidia sends him a silver dish with a choice selection of prepared dainties—all vegetarian, out of respect for the bishop's strict diet. Germanus petitions the Senate for leniency for the citizens of Armorica (Brittany).


text: Flavian becomes patriarch of Constantinople.


text: A local synod is held by Turibius of Astorga.


text: Three Disasters of Wu: The Northern Wei dynasty begins persecuting Buddhists, having heretofore encouraged them. The drain of manpower and tax money to temples and monasteries has threatened the secular government, and the reaction is fierce: monks and nuns are murdered, temples and icons destroyed. All men under age 50 are prohibited from joining any monastic order in a program that will continue until 450, helping the Confucianist philosophy of the Han dynasty to gain dominance over Buddhism.

source_section: Events › By place › China


text: The Cor Tewdws (College of Theodosius), Llantwit Major (Wales), is supposedly burned down by Irish pirates.


date: February 19

text: February 19 – Leontius of Trier, Bishop of Trier


text: Mac Cairthinn mac Coelboth, king of Leinster (Ireland)


text: Proclus, patriarch of Constantinople (approximate date)


text: Theodosius II sends an embassy to Attila; Priscus of Panium, envoy for the Eastern Roman Empire. Priscus records one of the few eyewitness accounts of the Hun kingdom.


text: Battle of the Utus: Attila defeats the Roman army near the river Utus (Vit, Bulgaria). The Huns are forced to abandon the siege of Constantinople. They march north and plunder the defenseless Balkan provinces (including Thrace, Scythia, Moesia, Dacia and Illyricum).


text: The Huns, led by Attila, cross the Danube, and invade the Balkans as far as Thermopylae (Greece). During the invasion, Serdica (modern Sofia) is destroyed. For disobeying the terms of the treaty made in 442, Attila triples his demand for tribute to 2,100 pounds (ca. 700 kg) of gold per year; and the ransom for each Roman prisoner to 12 solidi.


text: Winter – Theodosius II chooses a policy to protect Constantinople against the Huns. He removes Aspar and Areobindus (magister militum) from their military commands.


text: Vortigern, king of the Britons, receives the Saxon leaders Hengist and Horsa "as friends" and grants the brothers the Isle of Thanet, most easterly point of Kent (England).


text: The Synod of Toledo (Spain) tries to add the filioque clause to the Nicene Creed. The Eastern Orthodox Church refuses to go along with this idea.


text: Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, makes his second visit to Britain.


text: The first entry in the Annales Cambriæ refers to this year.

source_section: Events › By topic › Arts and Sciences


date: November 6

text: November 6 – The Walls of Constantinople are severely damaged by an earthquake, which destroys large parts of the structure, including 57 towers. The population is threatened by a plague. Emperor Theodosius II orders Constantine, praetorian prefect of the East, to supervise the repairs. He employs the city's demoi ("Circus factions") in the work, and rebuilds the walls within 60 days.


text: Secundinus (or Seachnaill), patron saint


text: Juqu Mujian, prince of the Chinese state Northern Liang


text: Areobindus, Roman general (magister militum)


text: Emperor Theodosius II sends an embassy to Attila the Hun; Anatolius, an Eastern Roman general (magister militum) responsible for the security of the Eastern frontier, achieves a peace treaty with the Huns, in exchange for an annual tribute of 2100 lb kg of gold per year.


text: Rechiar succeeds his father Rechila as king of the Suebi in Galicia (Northern Spain). He marries a daughter of the Visigoth king Theodoric I and converts to Catholicism.


text: Flavius Aetius suppresses the Bagaudae in Armorica (Gaul), and defeats the Salian Franks under King Chlodio near Arras (Belgica Secunda); the invaders are stopped around a river-crossing near Vicus Helena.


text: Attila demands in the treaty the evacuation of the territory running from Singidunum (Belgrade, in Serbia) 300 mi km east along the Danube to Novae (Svishtov, in Bulgaria). This depopulated buffer zone deprives the Romans of their natural defensive advantages.


text: Eutyches is accused of heresy at a synod held in Constantinople.


text: Theodosius II orders all non-Christian books burned.


text: Cyriacus of Athens, Greek anchorite and saint (d. 557)


text: Kou Qianzhi, Chinese high official and Daoist (b. 365)


text: Saint Germanus, bishop of Auxerre (approximate date)


text: Kou Qianzhi, Chinese Daoist reformer, dies after having converted emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei and having established Daoism as the country's dominant religion. His death presages a revival of Buddhism as China's dominant faith.


text: Emperor Valentinian III sends an emissary to Attila the Hun. The purpose of the meeting is a long-running dispute over spoils of war during the Danube offensive (441–442). Attila claims his lost property, but Valentinian and Flavius Aetius (magister militum) refuse this request.


text: Traditional date – Hengist and Horsa, by tradition chieftains of the Jutes, land at Isle of Thanet, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle at the invitation of Vortigern. The Britons form a military alliance with them against the Picts and Scoti. Bede considers this the beginning of the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain.


text: August 3 – The Second Council of Ephesus opens, chaired by Dioscorus, patriarch of Alexandria. Flavian, patriarch of Constantinople, and Domnus II, patriarch of Antioch, are deposed on August 8.


date: October

text: October – A Roman synod repudiates all the decisions of the Second Council of Ephesus.


text: Maximus II becomes patriarch of Antioch.


text: Anatolius becomes patriarch of Constantinople.


text: Flavius Orestes, Roman aristocrat, is sent to Attila's court and becomes a high-ranking secretary (notarius). He is the father of the future emperor Romulus Augustulus.


date: February 25

text: February 25 – Liu Ziye, emperor of the Liu Song dynasty (d. 466)


text: Eugendus, abbot of Condat Abbey (approximate date)


text: Kavadh I, king of the Persian Empire (d. 531)


date: August 11

text: August 11 – Flavian, patriarch of Constantinople


text: Eucherius, bishop of Lyon (approximate date)


text: Hilary, bishop of Arles (b. 403)


year_label: 45 CE

text: The Senate holds consultations regarding real estate speculation in Rome.

source_section: Timeline › AD 45


text: Emperor Claudius expels the Jews from Rome (estimated date, more probably later, 47-49 AD).


text: Claudius founds Savaria, today the Hungarian city of Szombathely.


text: Paul of Tarsus begins his missionary travels, according to one traditional dating scheme.


text: Chinese general Ma Yuan conducts an expedition against the Xiongnu and the Xianbei (in Manchuria).


text: Juvavum (modern Salzburg) is awarded the status of a Roman municipium.


text: Publius Papinius Statius, Roman poet (approximate date)

source_section: Births › AD 45


text: Lucius Vipstanus Messalla, Roman orator (approximate date)


text: Ban Zhao, first female Chinese historian (d. 116)


text: Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, Roman politician


text: Plutarch, Greek historian and biographer (approximate date)


text: Lucius Julius Ursus Servianus, Roman politician (d. 136)


text: Domitilla the Younger, Roman noblewoman (d. AD 66)


text: Pomponius Mela, Roman geographer (approximate date)

source_section: Deaths › AD 45


text: Vardanes I, king of the Parthian Empire (approximate date)


text: Marcian orders the execution (or assassination) of the unpopular court eunuch Chrysaphius. He discontinues the tribute payments to Attila.


text: King Yazdegerd II summons the leading Armenian nobles to the Persian capital Ctesiphon, pressuring them to cut their ties with the Western Church.


text: Metal horseshoes come into more common use in the Near East and in Europe, increasing the efficiency of horsepower in agriculture and transportation.

source_section: Events › By topic › Agriculture


text: Remodelling of the Dome of Baptistry of Neon, Ravenna (Italy) begins (approximate date).


text: All the Temples of Aphrodisias (City of Goddess Aphrodite) are demolished and its libraries burned down. The city is renamed Stauroupolis (City of the Cross).


date: August 25

text: August 25 – Pulcheria is forced to marry and co-rule the Eastern Roman Empire. She gives the imperial diadem to the Illyrian (or Thracian) officer and senator Marcian, age 58, and is crowned as empress in the Hippodrome at Constantinople, in the first religious coronation ceremony.


text: Nalanda University (India) is founded (approximate date).

source_section: Events › By place › Asia


date: February 2

text: February 2 – Justin I, Byzantine Emperor (d. 527)


text: Ariadne, Byzantine Empress (approximate date)


text: Chilperic II, king of Burgundy (approximate date)


text: Avitus, archbishop of Vienne (approximate date) (d. 518)


text: Gunthamund, king of the Vandals (d. 496)


text: Isidore, Neoplatonist philosopher (approximate date)


text: Thrasamund, king of the Vandals (d. 523)


date: July 28

text: July 28 – Theodosius II, Roman Emperor (b. 401)


text: July 28 – Emperor Theodosius II, age 49, falls from his horse while hunting at Constantinople and dies soon afterward. He has reigned since 408, mostly under the domination of his Christian sister Pulcheria, who has been allowed to return to court (see 441).


date: July 31

text: July 31 – Peter Chrysologus, bishop of Ravenna


date: November 27

text: November 27 – Galla Placidia, Roman Empress (b. 392)


text: Chrysaphius, eunuch and chief minister


text: Cui Hao, prime minister of Northern Wei


text: Chlodio, semi legendary Frankish king and supposed great-grandfather of Clovis I (approximate date) (b.390)


text: Socrates Scholasticus, church historian (approximate date)


text: Sozomen, church historian (approximate date)


text: Kālidāsa, Classical Sanskrit writer (approximate date)


text: Quodvultdeus, bishop of Carthage (approximate date)


text: Thorismund succeeds his father Theodoric I as king of the Visigoths. He is crowned in the capital at Toulouse, and extends the Visigothic Kingdom in Hispania.


date: April 7

text: April 7 – Attila's forces invade Gaul and sack Metz. The major cities of Strasbourg, Worms, Mainz, Trier, Cologne, Reims, Tournai, Cambrai, Amiens and Beauvais are destroyed by the Huns.


date: May 26

text: May 26 – Battle of Vartanantz: King Yazdegerd II defeats the Armenian army (66,000 men) under their rebel leader Vartan Mamikonian on the Avarayr Plain (Armenia). Despite the loss of Mamikonian, who is killed, the Armenians consider this battle to have been a moral and religious victory, since Yazdegerd, out of respect for their efforts, allows them to remain Christian. The anniversary is a national and religious holiday.


date: June 20

text: June 20 – Battle of the Catalaunian Plains (Châlons): Attila avoids a pitched battle near Orléans, and withdraws to the Catalaunian Plains (Champagne-Ardenne). The Roman coalition defeats the Huns, but Theodoric I is killed in the encounter. This is one of the last military victories of the Western Roman Empire, before the victories of Emperor Majorian against the Alemanni, Visigoths, Suebi and Burgundians, between 457 and 461.


date: June

text: June – Attila approaches Aurelianum (modern Orléans) and the city's inhabitants close the gates, forcing him to lay siege. After learning of the Hun invasion, Flavius Aetius (magister militum) moves quickly from Italy into Gaul, and joins forces with Visigoth king Theodoric I.


text: The Egyptian people clash with Byzantine soldiers in Alexandria rejecting Proterius of Alexandria as the new Chalcedonian Patriarch. The Egyptian rebels besieged the imperial garrison in the ancient temple of Serapis, and burned them alive. The Byzantine military eventually suppressed the uprising with heavy reinforcements.

source_section: Events › By place › Egypt


text: Spring – Attila gathers his vassals—Bastarnae, Gepids, Heruls, Ostrogoths, Rugians, Scirians and Thuringians (among others), and smashes through Germany, causing widespread panic and destruction. He arrives in Belgica with an army (50,000 men) and crosses the Rhine.


date: October 8

text: October 8 – November 1 – Council of Chalcedon, an ecumenical council of the Church: The monophysitism of Eutyches is repudiated, and the Chalcedonian Definition set forth. As a result of this council, the Oriental Orthodox Churches eventually become a separate communion. More immediately, Jerusalem becomes a Patriarchate, and Dioscorus of Alexandria is deposed as Patriarch of Alexandria by the Council.

source_section: Events › By topic › Religion


text: Yazdegerd II issues a decree to abolish the Shabbat, and orders the execution of Jewish leaders, including the Exilarch.


text: Eudocia, daughter of Emperor Valentinian III, marries Huneric in Ravenna. The engagement serves to strengthen the alliance between the Western Roman Empire and the Vandal Kingdom.


text: Brigit of Kildare, Irish patron saint (approximate date)


text: Jacob of Serugh, Syrian poet and theologian (approximate date)


date: July 29

text: July 29 – Tuoba Huang, prince of Northern Wei (b. 428)


text: Zeno the Prophet, Egyptian abbot and saint (approximate date)


text: Pei Songzhi, Chinese historian (b. 372)


text: Theodoric I, king of the Visigoths


text: Liu Yikang, prince of the Liu Song dynasty (b. 409)


text: Nan'an Yinwang succeeds his father Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei, after he is assassinated by the eunuch Zong Ai. Later this year, Yinwang is murdered as well, and Ai is overthrown by a group of high officials. Wencheng Di, age 12, becomes the new emperor of Northern Wei.


text: The Huns under Attila invade Northern Italy. Emperor Valentinian III flees from Ravenna to Rome, and sends Pope Leo I to persuade Attila to return to the Hungarian Plain. The cities of Aquileia, Padua and Verona are destroyed by the Huns. Milan is saved because Attila is offered a huge amount of gold. Flavius Aetius (magister militum) is unable to raise a new army against him.


text: The city of Venice is founded by fugitives from Attila's army who flee to small islands in the Venetian Lagoon.


text: Last known usage of Demotic script in Egypt.


text: Rome is threatened by Attila but not attacked, due to a last-minute effort by Leo I. Threatened by news of reinforcements from the Eastern Roman Empire and the plague breaking out among the Huns, Attila is persuaded to withdraw.


text: John the Silent, bishop and Saint (died 558)


text: Qi Mingdi, emperor of Southern Qi (d. 498)


text: Gundobad, king of the Burgundians (approximate date)


text: Wang Jian, official of Liu Song and Southern Qi (d. 489)


date: March 11

text: March 11 – Tai Wu Di, emperor of Northern Wei (b. 408)


text: Yujiulü, consort and wife of Tuoba Huang


text: Nan'an Yinwang, emperor of Northern Wei


text: Drest I, king of the Picts (approximate date)


text: Zong Ai, eunuch and high official


text: 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_section: Events › By place › Byzantium


date: March 16

text: 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.


date: May 20

text: May 20 – Liu Shao is overthrown by another brother, Liu Jun who becomes Emperor Xiaowu of Song.


text: 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).


date: May 27

text: May 27 – Liu Shao is executed, together with other members of his family.


text: 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.


text: Vedast, Frankish bishop (approximate date)


text: Brigit of Kildare, Irish patron saint (d. 524)


text: March 16 – Emperor Wen of Song, assassinated (b. 407)


date: July

text: 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.


text: July – Pulcheria, Byzantine Empress


text: Empress Yin of Liu Song, forced suicide


text: 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.


text: Liu Jun, Prince Shixing of the Liu Song dynasty (b. 429)


text: Thorismund, king of the Visigoths, assassinated


text: Liu Shao, emperor of Liu Song (b. 426)


text: Helian, empress of Northern Wei


text: c. March – Attila, ruler of the Huns (b. 406)


text: Ardaric unites the Gepids with other Germanic tribes, and founds the Kingdom of the Gepids in the Pannonian Basin.


date: September 21

text: September 21 – Emperor Valentinian III stabs his commander-in-chief Flavius Aetius to death, during a meeting of the imperial council at Ravenna. He has accused Aetius of plotting against him to seize power. After his assassination, the Western Roman Empire has no effective defender against its hostile barbarian neighbors (Alans, Franks, Ostrogoths, Vandals and Visigoths).

source_section: Events › By place › Roman Empire


text: Battle of Nedao: Allied forces of subjected peoples (Gepids, Heruli, Ostrogoths, Rugii, Sciri and Suebi), under the leadership of King Ardaric, defeat the Huns under Ellac, eldest son of Attila the Hun, in Pannonia. Ellac is killed during the battle and succeeded by his brother Dengizich.


text: Ireland: The Diocese of Clogher is erected.


text: Xian Wen Di, Chinese emperor of Northern Wei (d. 476)


text: Theodoric the Great, king of the Ostrogoths (d. 526)


text: September 21 – Flavius Aetius, Roman general (magister militum)