Directory

353 CE

Battle of Mons Seleucus: Emperor Constantius II defeats the usurper Magnentius, who commits suicide in Gaul in order to avoid capture. Constantius becomes sole emperor, and reunifies the Roman Empire. Wang Xizhi, Chinese calligrapher, produces "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" in running script style. It becomes a model for future calligraphers. Constantius II sends his official Paulus Catena to Britain, to hunt down the opponents supporting Magnentius. Flavius Martinus, vicarius of Britain and supporter of Constantius, opposes the persecutions; he is then accused by Catena of being a traitor. In response, Martinus tries to kill Catena with a sword; he fails and then commits suicide.

Conflict & Security

  • Battle of Mons Seleucus: Emperor Constantius II defeats the usurper Magnentius, who commits suicide in Gaul in order to avoid capture. Constantius becomes sole emperor, and reunifies the Roman Empire.source

Religion & Belief

  • Constantius II assembles a conciliabulum at Arles, and condemns Athanasius as Patriarch of Alexandria.source
  • Wang Xizhi, Chinese calligrapher, produces "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" in running script style. It becomes a model for future calligraphers.source

Crime & Justice

  • Constantius II sends his official Paulus Catena to Britain, to hunt down the opponents supporting Magnentius. Flavius Martinus, vicarius of Britain and supporter of Constantius, opposes the persecutions; he is then accused by Catena of being a traitor. In response, Martinus tries to kill Catena with a sword; he fails and then commits suicide.source

Births

  • Saint Vigilius, Bishop of Trent (d. 405)source

Deaths

  • August 11 – Magnentius, Roman usurper (b. 303)source
  • August 18 – Magnus Decentius, brother and Caesar of Magnentiussource
  • Zhang Chonghua, ruler of Former Liang (b. 327)source
  • Flavius Martinus, vicarius of Roman Britainsource