Directory

337 CE

A 4-month papal vacancy ends; Pope Julius I succeeds Pope Mark, as the 35th pope. Constantine the Great, first Christian Roman emperor of the Western Empire (312–324), and of the Roman Empire (324–337), dies in Achyron, near Nicomedia, at age 65, after he is baptized by Eusebius of Nicomedia. Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans succeed their father Constantine I as co-emperors. The Roman Empire is divided between the three Augusti.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Murong Huang claims the title of Prince of Yan, effectively beginning the kingdom of Former Yan.source

Conflict & Security

  • Shapur II besieges the Roman fortress of Nisibis (Syria), but is repulsed by forces under Lucilianus.source
  • King Shapur II of Persia begins a war against the Roman Empire. He sends his troops across the Tigris to recover Armenia and Mesopotamia.source

Religion & Belief

  • February 6 – A 4-month papal vacancy ends; Pope Julius I succeeds Pope Mark, as the 35th pope.source
  • June 17 – Constantius II announces the restoration of Athanasius, as Patriarch of Alexandria.source
  • September 9 – Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans succeed their father Constantine I as co-emperors. The Roman Empire is divided between the three Augusti.source
  • Paul I becomes Patriarch of Constantinople.source
  • Christianity is declared an official religion in Caucasian Iberia, marking the rise of Christianity in Georgia.source

Crime & Justice

  • A number of descendants of Constantius Chlorus, and officials of the Roman Empire, are executed in a purge.source

Births

  • Zenobius of Florence, Italian bishop and wonderworker (d. 417)source
  • Faxian, Chinese Buddhist monk, traveler (approximate date)source
  • Lü Guang, founding emperor of the Di state Later Liang (d. 400)source
  • Fú Jiān, emperor of the Chinese Di state Former Qin (d. 385)source

Deaths

  • January 13 – Leontius of Caesarea, Roman Catholic bishop and saintsource
  • February 21 – Eustathius the Great, patriarch of Antioch (approximate date)source
  • May 22 – Constantine the Great, first Christian Roman emperor of the Western Empire (312–324), and of the Roman Empire (324–337), dies in Achyron, near Nicomedia, at age 65, after he is baptized by Eusebius of Nicomedia.source
  • May 22 – Constantine the Great, emperor of the Roman Empire, Orthodox priest and saintsource
  • August 30 – Alexander of Constantinople, bishop of Byzantium (approximate date)source
  • Hannibalianus, king of the Pontus and nephew of Constantine I (executed)source
  • Dalmatius, Caesar and nephew of Constantine I (executed)source
  • Flavius Dalmatius, father of Dalmatius and Hannibalianus (executed)source
  • Julius Constantius, son of Constantius Chlorus (executed)source