Directory

383 CE

Emperor Gratian, age 24, is assassinated at Lugdunum (modern-day Lyon), leaving a young widow Laeta. Pannonia and Africa maintain their allegiance to co-emperor Valentinian II, now 12, whose mother, Justina, rules in his name. Magnus Maximus withdraws Roman troops from the region of Wales, marking the effective end of Roman rule in Wales. First Council of Constantinople (some authorities date this council to 381): Theodosius I calls a general council to affirm and extend the Nicene Creed, and denounce Arianism and Apollinarism. Most trinitarian Christian churches consider this an Ecumenical council.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • January 19 – Arcadius is elevated to Emperor.source
  • Niall of the Nine Hostages becomes the first High King of Ireland.source
  • Roman troops in Britannia proclaim Magnus Maximus as their Emperor. He crosses over to the continent and makes Trier his capital. Gaul, the Italian provinces and Hispania proclaim loyalty to him.source
  • Theodosius I sends Flavius Stilicho as an envoy to the Persian court of King Shapur III at Ctesiphon, to negotiate a peace settlement relating to the partition of Armenia.source

Conflict & Security

  • August 25 – Emperor Gratian, age 24, is assassinated at Lugdunum (modern-day Lyon), leaving a young widow Laeta. Pannonia and Africa maintain their allegiance to co-emperor Valentinian II, now 12, whose mother, Justina, rules in his name.source
  • Magnus Maximus withdraws Roman troops from the region of Wales, marking the effective end of Roman rule in Wales.source
  • Emperor Theodosius I cedes Dacia and Macedonia to Valentinian II. They recognize Magnus Maximus as Augustus.source
  • Battle of Fei River (Feishui): Former Qin forces are defeated by the numerically inferior Eastern Jin army in Anhui, preserving the Jin state in the south and precipitating the destruction of Former Qin in the north.source

Religion & Belief

  • By the order of Theodosius I, Eunomius of Cyzicus is banished to Moesia.source
  • First Council of Constantinople (some authorities date this council to 381): Theodosius I calls a general council to affirm and extend the Nicene Creed, and denounce Arianism and Apollinarism. Most trinitarian Christian churches consider this an Ecumenical council.source

Births

  • Lupus of Troyes, French bishop and saint (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • May 30 – Isaac of Dalmatia, Byzantine Orthodox priest and saintsource
  • August 25 – Gratian, Roman Emperor (assassinated) (b. 359)source
  • October 21 – Ursula, Roman Christian martyr and saintsource
  • Fu Rong, Chinese general and prime ministersource
  • Ardashir II, Sassanid king (shah) ("King of Kings")source
  • Frumentius, Phoenician missionary and bishopsource
  • King Ardashir II dies after a 4-year reign. He is succeeded by his son Shapur III.source
  • Ulfilas (or Wulfila), Gothic missionary and bishopsource
  • Flavia Maxima Constantia, daughter of Constantius IIsource