Directory

384 CE

Pope Siricius succeeds Damasus I as the 38th pope. He takes the title Pontifex Maximus, after it is relinquished by the late emperor Gratian. Jerome, Christian prophet, writes his celebrated letter "De custodia virginitatis" (vow of virginity) to Eustochium, daughter of the ascetic Paula. He has by this time completed his Vulgate translation of the Gospels. The Gallaeci or Gallic woman Egeria concludes her Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land at about this date; her narrative of it, the Itinerarium Egeriae, may be the earliest surviving formal writing by a woman in western European culture.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Gogugyang becomes ruler of the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo.source
  • King Shapur III signs the Peace of Acilisene with Theodosius I. Armenia is divided in two kingdoms and becomes a vassal state of the Roman Empire and Persia. The friendly relations survive for 36 years.source

Conflict & Security

  • Magnus Maximus returns to Britain to aid the Roman army with the barbarian raids triggered by Maximus' withdrawal of troops to the continent.source
  • Quintus Aurelius Symmachus becomes urban prefect of Rome.source
  • Following Former Qin's defeat at the Battle of Fei River, Murong Chui, Murong Hong, and Yao Chang declares themselves emperors of Later Yan, Western Yan, and Later Qin respectively, precipitating the disintegration of Former Qin.source

Religion & Belief

  • December 17 – Pope Siricius succeeds Damasus I as the 38th pope. He takes the title Pontifex Maximus, after it is relinquished by the late emperor Gratian.source
  • An edict of Theodosius I closes pagan temples in the Nile Valley (Egypt).source
  • Ambrosius refuses the request of Empress Justina for a church in Milan, where she can worship according to her Arian belief.source
  • Jerome, Christian prophet, writes his celebrated letter "De custodia virginitatis" (vow of virginity) to Eustochium, daughter of the ascetic Paula. He has by this time completed his Vulgate translation of the Gospels.source
  • The Gallaeci or Gallic woman Egeria concludes her Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land at about this date; her narrative of it, the Itinerarium Egeriae, may be the earliest surviving formal writing by a woman in western European culture.source
  • A synod is held in Bordeaux (France).source

Culture & Society

  • The Forum of Theodosius ("Forum of the Bull") is built in Constantinople.source
  • Stilicho marries Serena, adopted niece of Theodosius I.source
  • Magnus Maximus elevates his son Flavius Victor to the rank of Augustus.source
  • King Chimnyu ascends to the throne of Baekje (Korea); he welcomes the Indian Buddhist monk Marananta into his palace, and later declares Buddhism the official religion.source

Births

  • September 9 – Honorius, Roman Emperor (d. 423)source
  • Chu Lingyuan, last empress of the Jin Dynasty (d. 436)source
  • Wang Shen'ai, empress of the Jin Dynasty (d. 412)source
  • Sengzhao, Chinese Buddhist philosopher (d. 414)source
  • Maria, empress and daughter of Stilicho (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • May 13 – Servatius of Tongeren, Roman Catholic bishop and saintsource
  • July 20 – Pope Timothy I of Alexandriasource
  • Chu Suanzi, empress of the Jin Dynasty (b. 324)source
  • Huan Chong, general and governor of the Jin Dynasty (b. 328)source
  • Vettius Agorius Praetextatus, praetorian prefectsource
  • Geungusu, king of Baekje (Korea)source
  • Xi Zuochi, Jin Dynasty historiansource
  • Murong Hong, founder of the Xianbei state Western Yansource