355 CE
Arbitio and Lollianus Mavortius begin their term as Roman consuls. Claudius Silvanus, accused of treason, proclaims himself Roman Emperor. After 28 days, Ursicinus arrives from Rome and has Silvanus murdered. In Mediolanum (Italy), Emperor Constantius II raises his cousin Julian the Apostate to the rank of Caesar. He takes command of the western provinces and marries Constantius' sister, Helena.
Conflict & Security
Exploration & Expansion
- The Huns of Central Asia begin their great drive westwards with an advance into Scythia (modern Ukraine). They overcome and absorb the Alans, a nomadic and warlike horse breeding people from the steppes northeast of the Black Sea.source
Religion & Belief
- Pope Liberius refuses to sign a condemnation of Athanasius, Patriarch of Alexandria, imposed at Milan by Constantius II. Liberius is exiled to Beroea (Greece) and replaced by Felix II. He becomes an antipope and bishop of Rome.source
Technology & Infrastructure
- January 1 – Arbitio and Lollianus Mavortius begin their term as Roman consuls.source
Crime & Justice
- August 11 – Claudius Silvanus, accused of treason, proclaims himself Roman Emperor. After 28 days, Ursicinus arrives from Rome and has Silvanus murdered.source
Culture & Society
- November 6 – In Mediolanum (Italy), Emperor Constantius II raises his cousin Julian the Apostate to the rank of Caesar. He takes command of the western provinces and marries Constantius' sister, Helena.source
Births
Deaths
- September 7 – Claudius Silvanus, Roman usurpersource
- Liang, Chinese empress of the Former Qin Dynastysource
- Zhang Yaoling, Chinese ruler of Former Liang (b. 344)source
- Zhang Zuo (or Taibo), Chinese ruler of Former Liangsource
- Aedesius, Roman Neoplatonist philosopher and mysticsource
- Fu Jian, Chinese emperor of the Former Qin (b. 317)source