Directory

409 CE

The Vandals, led by King Gunderic, cross the Pyrenees into the Iberian Peninsula. They receive land from the Romans, as foederati, in Baetica (Southern Spain). The Alans occupy lands in Lusitania and the Suebi control parts of Gallaecia. Bacaudic Rebellion: Peasants in Armorica, northwestern Gallia launch a revolt. The unrest continues until 417. Mingyuan, age 17, succeeds Daowu as emperor of the Chinese Northern Wei (one of the Northern dynasties).

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Honorius agrees that sons of prominent families at court in Ravenna be sent beyond the Danube as hostages; in return, later he calls up ten thousand Hun mercenaries.source

Conflict & Security

  • October 13 – The Vandals, led by King Gunderic, cross the Pyrenees into the Iberian Peninsula. They receive land from the Romans, as foederati, in Baetica (Southern Spain). The Alans occupy lands in Lusitania and the Suebi control parts of Gallaecia.source
  • Battle of Linqu: Southern Yan is defeated by Eastern Jin.source
  • The Visigothic king Alaric I lays siege to Rome a second time, bringing the inhabitants close to starvation. Emperor Honorius, safe in inaccessible Ravenna, refuses to negotiate for peace, despite repeated offers from Alaric, who then comes to terms with the Senate and sets up a rival emperor, Priscus Attalus, prefect (praefectus urbi) of the city.source
  • Bacaudic Rebellion: Peasants in Armorica, northwestern Gallia launch a revolt. The unrest continues until 417.source
  • Spring – Gerontius, Roman general (magister militum), who had been a partisan of Constantine III, revolts in Hispania. He elevates Maximus, his domesticus, as emperor.source
  • Mingyuan, age 17, succeeds Daowu as emperor of the Chinese Northern Wei (one of the Northern dynasties).source

Climate & Environment

  • Following the invasions by the Vandals, Alans, and Suebi in 409, chroniclers report severe disruption to food supplies in Hispania and nearby regions, leading to famine and hardship.source

Births

  • Liu Yikang, prince of the Liu Song Dynasty (d. 451)source
  • Daniel the Stylite, Christian saint (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • Daowu, emperor of the Northern Wei (b. 371)source
  • Didymus and Verinianus, cousins of emperor Honorius.source
  • Gao Yun, emperor of the Northern Yansource
  • Li of Yan, empress, wife of Gao Yun (who died the same year)source
  • Serena, noblewoman and wife of Stilichosource
  • Mallius Theodorus, Roman consul (approximate date)source