Directory

356 CE

Emperor Constantius II issues a decree closing all pagan temples in the Roman Empire, and ordering the banishment once again of the anti-Arian patriarch of Alexandria, Athanasius. He tries to have him arrested during a vigil service, but Athanasius flees to the Nitrian desert in Upper Egypt. Winter – Siege of Senonae: Julian over-winters at Senonae (Bourgogne). German federated troops (foederati) desert and hostile warbands besiege the town. Anthony the Great (pictured) dies at his hermitage near the Red Sea in mid-January at age 105 (approximate), having preached against Arianism, and having tried to codify guidelines for monastic life. His followers subsequently establish the Monastery of Saint Anthony, beginning the tradition of Coptic monasticism.

Conflict & Security

  • Winter – Siege of Senonae: Julian over-winters at Senonae (Bourgogne). German federated troops (foederati) desert and hostile warbands besiege the town.source
  • Siege of Autun: Julian receives a report that Augustodunum (Autun) is under attack by the Alemanni. The city walls are in poor state and in danger of falling.source
  • Naemul becomes king of the Silla dynasty (Three Kingdoms of Korea).source
  • Battle of Reims: Julian is defeated by the Alemanni at Reims (Gaul).source
  • Rhaetia (Switzerland) is invaded by the Alemanni.source
  • Battle of Brumath: Roman forces pursue Germanic warbands through the Gallic countryside. Julian wins an open battle near Brumath (Alsace).source

Religion & Belief

  • February 19 – Emperor Constantius II issues a decree closing all pagan temples in the Roman Empire, and ordering the banishment once again of the anti-Arian patriarch of Alexandria, Athanasius. He tries to have him arrested during a vigil service, but Athanasius flees to the Nitrian desert in Upper Egypt.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • Construction begins on the first basilica of Saint Peter in Rome.source

Health & Medicine

  • The veneration of non-Christian images is banned in the Roman Empire.source

Births

  • 31 March – Aelia Flaccilla, Roman empress and wife of Theodosius I (d. 386)source
  • John II, Byzantine bishop, theologian and writer (d. 417)source

Deaths

  • Anthony the Great (pictured) dies at his hermitage near the Red Sea in mid-January at age 105 (approximate), having preached against Arianism, and having tried to codify guidelines for monastic life. His followers subsequently establish the Monastery of Saint Anthony, beginning the tradition of Coptic monasticism.source
  • Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak, Babylonian scholar and rabbisource
  • Amasius of Teano, bishop Teano (also known as St. Paris)source
  • Anthony the Great, Egyptian monk and Desert Fathersource
  • Sanctinus of Meaux, French bishop and missionary (b. 270)source
  • Yin Hao (or Yuanyuan), Chinese general and politiciansource
  • Vetranio, Roman statesman, usurper and co-emperorsource
  • Qiang (or Mingde), Chinese empress and wife of Fú Jiànsource
  • Cai Mo (or Daoming), Chinese official and politician (b. 281)source