Directory

397 CE

Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan, dies in his diocese after 23 years in office, during which he dominated the political life of the Roman Empire. Council of Carthage: The biblical canon is definitely declared. First Council of Toledo: Hispanic bishops, including Lampius, condemn Priscillianism.

Conflict & Security

  • Revolt of Alaric I: Stilicho traps the Visigoths under King Alaric in the Peloponnese, but decides to abandon the campaign against the Visigoths in Greece, thus allowing King Alaric to escape north to Epirus with his loot. Presumably, Stilicho has left Greece in order to prepare for military action in northern Africa, where a rebellion (see Gildonic Revolt in 398) seems imminent.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • The Xiongnu occupy the Gansu area, an economically important province situated along the Silk Road.source

Religion & Belief

  • August 28 – Council of Carthage: The biblical canon is definitely declared.source
  • September 7 – First Council of Toledo: Hispanic bishops, including Lampius, condemn Priscillianism.source
  • November 13 – John Chrysostom is appointed Archbishop of Constantinople.source
  • Mor Gabriel Monastery is founded and located on the Tur Abdin plateau near Midyat (Turkey).source
  • Scottish missionary Ninian establishes a church (Candida Casa) at Whithorn, and begins his work among the Picts.source
  • Sulpicius Severus writes the earliest biography of Martin of Tours, the first known "life of a saint" ever written.source
  • Augustine of Hippo begins his Confessions, an autobiography that recounts his intellectual and spiritual development.source

Health & Medicine

  • Emperor Honorius passes a law making barbarian styles of dress illegal in the city of Rome. As a result of this law, everybody in Rome is forbidden from wearing boots, trousers, animal skins, and long hair. This law is passed in response to the increasing popularity of barbarian fashions among the people of Rome.source

Births

  • March 30 or March 31 – Kʼukʼ Bahlam I, king of Palenque (Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico)source

Deaths

  • April 4 – Aurelius Ambrosius, bishop of Milansource
  • April 4 – Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan, dies in his diocese after 23 years in office, during which he dominated the political life of the Roman Empire.source
  • November 8 – Martin of Tours, bishop and saintsource
  • Murong Long, general and prince of Later Yansource
  • Empress She, wife of emperor Yao Changsource
  • Murong Hui, imperial prince of Later Yan (b. 373)source