Directory

391 CE

Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, urban prefect of Rome, pleads for traditional cult practices. He petitions Theodosius I to re-open the pagan temples, but is opposed by Ambrose. A Rouran chief named Heduohan (曷多汗) is defeated and killed in battle against the Tuoba Northern Wei Dynasty. Surviving Rouran move west towards the Gaoche, led by Heduohan's brother and successor, Shelun. Flames destroy the great Library of Alexandria, established in the Mouseion in the fourth century BC. Among the items lost in the fire are works of science, including parchments by the Greek astronomer Aristarchus of Samos asserting that the Earth orbits the Sun, and dozens of dramatic works by Euripides and Sophocles.

Conflict & Security

  • A Rouran chief named Heduohan (曷多汗) is defeated and killed in battle against the Tuoba Northern Wei Dynasty. Surviving Rouran move west towards the Gaoche, led by Heduohan's brother and successor, Shelun.source

Religion & Belief

  • Emperor Theodosius I establishes Christianity as the official state religion. All non-Christian temples in the Roman Empire are closed. The eternal fire in the Temple of Vesta at the Roman Forum is extinguished, and the Vestal Virgins are disbanded.source
  • Patriarch Theophilus destroys all pagan temples in Alexandria under orders from Theodosius I. Christians go on an iconoclastic rampage, smashing religious symbols or monuments through the city and destroying the Temple of Serapis. The "Order of Monks" known as the Parabalani take charge of patrolling the streets.source

Science & Discovery

  • Flames destroy the great Library of Alexandria, established in the Mouseion in the fourth century BC. Among the items lost in the fire are works of science, including parchments by the Greek astronomer Aristarchus of Samos asserting that the Earth orbits the Sun, and dozens of dramatic works by Euripides and Sophocles.source

Culture & Society

  • Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, urban prefect of Rome, pleads for traditional cult practices. He petitions Theodosius I to re-open the pagan temples, but is opposed by Ambrose.source
  • King Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo (Korea) ascends to the throne.source

Births

  • Flavius Aetius, Roman general (Magister militum) of part Gothic heritage. (d.454)source

Deaths

  • Justina, Roman empress (approximate date)source
  • Macarius of Egypt, Christian monk and hermitsource
  • Peter of Sebaste, bishop of Armeniasource
  • Zhai Liao "Heavenly Prince" (Tian Wang), founder of the Dingling state Weisource
  • Heduohan, chief of the Rouran tribes (killed in battle against the Northern Wei)source
  • Saint Telemachus dies after being stoned to death. His date of death is also given to the year 404.source