By place Roman Empire •
Revolt of Alaric I:
Stilicho traps the
Visigoths under
King Alaric in the
Peloponnese, but decides to abandon the campaign against the Visigoths in Greece, thus allowing King Alaric to escape north to
Epirus with his loot. Presumably, Stilicho has left Greece in order to prepare for military action in northern Africa, where a rebellion (see
Gildonic Revolt in 398) seems imminent. •
Emperor Honorius passes a law making barbarian styles of dress illegal in the city of
Rome. As a result of this law, everybody in Rome is forbidden from wearing boots, trousers, animal skins, and long hair. This law is passed in response to the increasing popularity of barbarian fashions among the people of Rome.
China • The
Xiongnu occupy the
Gansu area, an economically important province situated along the
Silk Road.
By topic Religion •
April 4 –
Ambrose,
Archbishop of Milan, dies in his diocese after 23 years in office, during which he dominated the political life of the
Roman Empire. •
August 28 –
Council of Carthage: The
biblical canon is definitely declared. •
September 7 –
First Council of Toledo: Hispanic
bishops, including
Lampius, condemn
Priscillianism. •
November 13 –
John Chrysostom is appointed
Archbishop of Constantinople. •
Mor Gabriel Monastery is founded and located on the
Tur Abdin plateau near
Midyat (
Turkey). •
Sulpicius Severus writes the earliest biography of
Martin of Tours, the first known "life of a
saint" ever written. •
Augustine of Hippo begins his
Confessions, an autobiography that recounts his intellectual and spiritual development. • Scottish
missionary Ninian establishes a church (
Candida Casa) at
Whithorn, and begins his work among the
Picts. == Births ==