Directory

399 CE

Pope Siricius dies at Rome after a 15-year reign in which he has commanded celibacy for priests, asserted papal authority over the entire Western Church, and threatened to impose sanctions on those who do not follow his dictates. Anastasius I succeeds Siricius as the 39th pope. He seeks to reconcile the churches of Rome and Antioch. Anastasius also condemns the doctrine of Origen. King Bahram IV dies after an 11-year reign. He is succeeded by Yazdegerd I, who becomes the thirteenth Sassanid Emperor of Persia.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Gainas, a Gothic leader, is made magister militum and forms an alliance with deserters of Tribigild along the Bosphorus. He proclaims himself co-regent (usurper), and installs his forces in Constantinople. Gainas deposes anti-Gothic officials and has Eutropius, imperial advisor (cubicularius), executed.source

Conflict & Security

  • Xianbei kingdom of Southern Yan conquers Qing Province (modern central and eastern Shandong) from the Eastern Jin.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Fa-Hien, Chinese Buddhist monk, travels to India, Sri Lanka and Kapilavastu (modern Nepal).source

Religion & Belief

  • Anastasius I succeeds Siricius as the 39th pope. He seeks to reconcile the churches of Rome and Antioch. Anastasius also condemns the doctrine of Origen.source
  • Flavius Mallius Theodorus becomes Roman consul and official at the imperial court of emperor Arcadius.source
  • Flavian I is acknowledged as legitimate bishop of Antioch by the Church of Rome.source

Culture & Society

  • The Emperor Honorius of the Western Roman Empire, who is only 15 years old, closes the gladiatorial schools in Rome, and legally ends munera (gladiator games).source

Births

  • Narsai, Syriac poet and theologian (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • November 26 – Pope Siricius dies at Rome after a 15-year reign in which he has commanded celibacy for priests, asserted papal authority over the entire Western Church, and threatened to impose sanctions on those who do not follow his dictates.source
  • Yuan Shansong, official and poet of the Jin Dynastysource
  • Bahram IV, king of the Sassanid Empire (Persia)source
  • Evagrius Ponticus, Christian monk and ascetic (b. 345)source
  • King Bahram IV dies after an 11-year reign. He is succeeded by Yazdegerd I, who becomes the thirteenth Sassanid Emperor of Persia.source
  • Tufa Wugu, prince of the Xianbei state Southern Liangsource
  • Eutropius, Roman consul and eunuchsource
  • Tribigild, Ostrogothic generalsource