Directory

450 CE

Emperor Theodosius II, age 49, falls from his horse while hunting at Constantinople and dies soon afterward. He has reigned since 408, mostly under the domination of his Christian sister Pulcheria, who has been allowed to return to court (see 441). Pulcheria is forced to marry and co-rule the Eastern Roman Empire. She gives the imperial diadem to the Illyrian (or Thracian) officer and senator Marcian, age 58, and is crowned as empress in the Hippodrome at Constantinople, in the first religious coronation ceremony. Nalanda University (India) is founded (approximate date).

Conflict & Security

  • Marcian orders the execution (or assassination) of the unpopular court eunuch Chrysaphius. He discontinues the tribute payments to Attila.source
  • King Yazdegerd II summons the leading Armenian nobles to the Persian capital Ctesiphon, pressuring them to cut their ties with the Western Church.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Metal horseshoes come into more common use in the Near East and in Europe, increasing the efficiency of horsepower in agriculture and transportation.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • Remodelling of the Dome of Baptistry of Neon, Ravenna (Italy) begins (approximate date).source

Disasters & Accidents

  • All the Temples of Aphrodisias (City of Goddess Aphrodite) are demolished and its libraries burned down. The city is renamed Stauroupolis (City of the Cross).source

Culture & Society

  • August 25 – Pulcheria is forced to marry and co-rule the Eastern Roman Empire. She gives the imperial diadem to the Illyrian (or Thracian) officer and senator Marcian, age 58, and is crowned as empress in the Hippodrome at Constantinople, in the first religious coronation ceremony.source
  • Nalanda University (India) is founded (approximate date).source

Births

  • February 2 – Justin I, Byzantine Emperor (d. 527)source
  • Ariadne, Byzantine Empress (approximate date)source
  • Chilperic II, king of Burgundy (approximate date)source
  • Avitus, archbishop of Vienne (approximate date) (d. 518)source
  • Gunthamund, king of the Vandals (d. 496)source
  • Isidore, Neoplatonist philosopher (approximate date)source
  • Thrasamund, king of the Vandals (d. 523)source

Deaths

  • July 28 – Theodosius II, Roman Emperor (b. 401)source
  • July 28 – Emperor Theodosius II, age 49, falls from his horse while hunting at Constantinople and dies soon afterward. He has reigned since 408, mostly under the domination of his Christian sister Pulcheria, who has been allowed to return to court (see 441).source
  • July 31 – Peter Chrysologus, bishop of Ravennasource
  • November 27 – Galla Placidia, Roman Empress (b. 392)source
  • Chrysaphius, eunuch and chief ministersource
  • Cui Hao, prime minister of Northern Weisource
  • Chlodio, semi legendary Frankish king and supposed great-grandfather of Clovis I (approximate date) (b.390)source
  • Socrates Scholasticus, church historian (approximate date)source
  • Sozomen, church historian (approximate date)source
  • Kālidāsa, Classical Sanskrit writer (approximate date)source
  • Quodvultdeus, bishop of Carthage (approximate date)source