Directory

405 CE

Jerome's Vulgate translation of the Bible into Latin is completed by his translations of the Tanakh from the Hebrew language. Emperor Honorius closes the Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum), in an austerity move that abolishes amusements. The Japanese court officially adopts the Chinese writing system (approximate date).

Conflict & Security

  • Jeonji becomes king of the Korean kingdom of Baekje.source
  • War of Radagaisus: King Radagaisus leads an invasion with a force of 20,000 men and crosses the Alps. He spends the winter in the Po Valley and is observed by Stilicho, who lacks sufficient strength to prepare an offensive against the invading German tribes. The exact numbers of the migration are unknown, probably nearly 100,000, including Alans, Burgundians, Goths, Vandals, and other smaller tribes.source
  • Stilicho crushes a coalition of Asding Vandals, Ostrogoths and Quadi with an army raised from forces of the Rhine frontier, leaving this sector dangerously weakened.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • The Khitan are first mentioned in Chinese chronicles. They wander along the boundaries of Kara-muren, and form part of the Donghu (Tong-hou) confederation.source

Religion & Belief

  • Jerome's Vulgate translation of the Bible into Latin is completed by his translations of the Tanakh from the Hebrew language.source
  • In the Roman province of Africa, Augustine of Hippo opposes Donatism as a heresy.source
  • The Japanese court officially adopts the Chinese writing system (approximate date).source

Science & Discovery

  • The Armenian alphabet is devised by Mesrop Mashtots.source

Crime & Justice

  • Flavius Aetius is sent as a child hostage at the court of Alaric I, king of the Visigoths.source

Disasters & Accidents

  • Stilicho, Roman general (magister militum), orders the Sibylline Books to be burned, according to the Roman poet Rutilius Claudius Namatianus.source
  • Emperor Honorius closes the Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum), in an austerity move that abolishes amusements.source

Births

  • Ricimer, de facto ruler of the Western Roman Empire (approximate date)source
  • Yuan Qigui, empress and wife of Wen of Liu Song (d. 440)source
  • Salvian, Christian writer (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • June 26 – Saint Vigilius, bishop of Trent (b. 353)source
  • November 11 – Arsacius of Tarsus, archbishop of Constantinoplesource
  • Richu, emperor of Japan (approximate date)source
  • Theon of Alexandria, last director of the Library of Alexandria (approximate date)source
  • Theon of Alexandria, Greek mathematician, dies at age 70 (approximate), having been helped in his work by his daughter Hypatia.source
  • Murong De, emperor of the Xianbei state Southern Yan (b. 336)source
  • Moses the Black, Christian monk and priest (b. 330)source