Directory

350 CE

Western Roman Emperor Constans I makes himself extremely unpopular; one of his generals, Magnentius, is proclaimed emperor at Augustodunum in the Diocese of Galliae, with the support of the army on the Rhine frontier. Constans I flees towards Spain, where he is subsequently assassinated at Castrum Helenae. Magnentius rules the Western portion of the Roman Empire and is far more tolerant towards Christians and Pagans alike. Vetranio is asked by Constantina, sister of Constantius II, to proclaim himself Caesar. Constantius accepts the new emperor and sends him funds to raise an army.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • March 1 – Vetranio is asked by Constantina, sister of Constantius II, to proclaim himself Caesar. Constantius accepts the new emperor and sends him funds to raise an army.source
  • December 25 – Vetranio meets Constantius II at Naissus (Serbia) and joins forces with him. Vetranio is forced to abdicate his title, and Constantius allows him to live as a private citizen on a state pension.source
  • King Pushyavarman establishes the Varman Dynasty in Assam.source

Conflict & Security

  • January – Constans I flees towards Spain, where he is subsequently assassinated at Castrum Helenae. Magnentius rules the Western portion of the Roman Empire and is far more tolerant towards Christians and Pagans alike.source
  • The city of Anbar (Iraq) is founded by king Shapur II.source
  • The Ran Wei-Later Zhao war breaks out in North China. Ethnic Han ruler Ran Min had used the infighting between the brothers who reigned in quick succession as emperors of the Jie state of the Later Zhao to assume power, establish the Ran Wei dynasty, have an alleged 200,000 non-Han subjects (mostly Jie and Xiongnu) massacred and end the Later Zhao dynasty. This situation will soon be exploited by the neighbouring state of Former Yan which expands from the northeast towards the Yellow River.source
  • About this time the Huns begin to invade the Sassanid Empire.source

Religion & Belief

  • January 18 – Western Roman Emperor Constans I makes himself extremely unpopular; one of his generals, Magnentius, is proclaimed emperor at Augustodunum in the Diocese of Galliae, with the support of the army on the Rhine frontier.source

Crime & Justice

  • June 30 – Nepotianus is defeated and killed by Marcellinus, a trusted general sent by Magnentius. His head is put on a spear and carried around the city.source

Culture & Society

  • June 3 – Nepotianus, Roman usurper, proclaims himself emperor and enters Rome with a group of gladiators.source
  • The church of Santa Constanza in Rome is finished.source

Births

  • Hypatia of Alexandria, female Neoplatonist philosopher (approximate date);source
  • Murong Wei, emperor of the Xianbei state Former Yan (d. 385);source
  • Honoratus, archbishop of Arles (approximate date);source
  • Theodore of Mopsuestia, bishop and theologian (approximate date);source
  • Earliest common ancestor of Y haplotype R-S6881 born in north-west Germania (approximate date)source
  • Plutarch of Athens, Greek philosopher (approximate date);source
  • Zhang Xuanjing, ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang (d. 363).source

Deaths

  • February 11 – Constans I, Roman Emperor;source
  • June 21 – Martin of Tongres, Roman Catholic bishop and saint;source
  • June 30 – Nepotianus, Roman usurper;source
  • August 5 – Cassian of Autun Roman Catholic bishop and saint;source
  • November 26 – Paul I of Constantinople, Byzantine Orthodox bishop and saint.source
  • Shi Jian, emperor of the Jie state Later Zhao.source