440s
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The440sdecade ran from January 1, 440, to December 31, 449.
Events
440
By place
[edit]Europe
[edit]- Flavius Aetius,Roman general (magister militum), returns astriumphatorback toRome,after several years' fighting theBurgundiansandVisigothsinGaul.He is honoured by astatueerected by theSenate,and by order of EmperorValentinian III.[citation needed]
- TheHunsunderAttilareappear in force, along the frontier of theWestern Roman Empire.They attackmerchantson the north bank of theDanubeand cities inIllyricum,including (according toPriscus)Viminacium,city ofMoesia.[citation needed]
Africa
[edit]- AVandalfleet and their allies (Alans,GothsandMoors) set out fromCarthageforSicily,the principal supplier ofoilandgraintoItalyafter the loss ofNorth Africa.They loot all the coastal towns and besiegePalermo.Heavily laden ships return to the court of KingGenseric.
Asia
[edit]- Northern and Southern dynasties:Northern Chinais unified by theNorthern Wei dynasty.The South is still under the control of the Song (orLiu Song) dynasty.
- Acenter of Buddhist studiesis established atNalandainBiharon the plains of theGanges River(India).
Persia
[edit]- TheHephthalites(White Huns) move south from theAltai Mountainsregion intoTransoxiana,Bactria,Khorasanand easternPersia.
By topic
[edit]Art
[edit]- The Parting of Lot and Abraham,mosaic in the nave arcade,Church of Santa Maria Maggiore(Rome), is made.
Ancient Games
[edit]- Chaturanga,Indian war game and an ancestor ofchessthrough the Persian game ofShatranj(orChatrang), evolves in theIndus Valleyon the Indian subcontinent (approximate date).
Religion
[edit]- August 18–Pope Sixtus IIIdies after an 8-year reign in which he has resistedheresyand sponsored major construction programs in Rome. He is succeeded byLeo Ias the 45thpope.
- September 29– Leo I begins to formulateOrthodoxyand condemnsEutychianism,an extreme form ofmonophysitismwhich holds that the human nature ofChristis absorbed by His divine nature.
- Winter – Leo I sends a letter to Valentinian III stating, "by theHoly Spirit'sinspiration the emperor needs no human instruction and is incapable ofdoctrinalerror ".
441
By place
[edit]Byzantium
[edit]- Chrysaphius,chief minister, persuades EmperorTheodosius IIatConstantinopleto dismiss his sisterPulcheria,for her policy of exiling theJews,and destroying theirsynagogues.[1]
- Theodosius II sends the Eastern imperial fleet, under the command of the Romano-GothAreobindus,intoSicilianwaters, taking theVandalsby surprise.
- Pulcheria leaves for the seaportHebdomon(Turkey), and becomes anunto supportNestorianismin theHoly Land(Palestine).
- TheHuns,led byAttila,attackConstanţa(modernRomania), one of the few remaining Romanfortson the northern bank of theDanube,and designated as a securetrading post.On a crowdedmarketday, the Huns take the town by surprise and slaughter thegarrison.[2]
Europe
[edit]- GermanSaxonsestablish themselves at the mouth of theThames River.After a period of peace,Vortimer(son of kingVortigern), defeats theSaxonsin four battles inKent(according to theAnglo-Saxon Chronicle).
- KingHermericdies after a two-year illness; he is succeeded by his sonRechila,who becomes sole ruler over theSuebic Kingdom of Galicia.
- Rechila invadesBaeticaand conquers the capitalSeville.TheRomansare driven from theIberian Peninsulawith the exception of theLevante.[citation needed]
- November 8– Thefirst Council of Orangeis convened under the guidance ofHilary of ArlesinOrange(France).
Persia
[edit]- KingYazdegerd IIofPersiasigns apeace treatyafter a short war with theEastern Roman Empire.Theodosius II sends his commander,Anatolius,to conclude his terms and promise not to build any newfortificationsalong the border territories.
By topic
[edit]Religion
[edit]- Domnus IIsucceeds his uncleJohnasPatriarch of Antioch.
442
By place
[edit]Europe
[edit]- Valentinian III forms amarriageproposal for his eldest daughterEudociaand Genseric's sonHuneric.He is already married to a Visigoth princess, and Genseric decides to free him of his obligations by accusing her of trying topoisonhim. He leaves her mutilated - her ears and nose are cut off - and sends her back to her fatherTheodoric I,inToulouse(Gaul).[citation needed]
- TheHuns,on a military campaign along theDanubeand theGreat Morava,destroy the city ofNaissus(modernSerbia). They have masteredsiegetechnology and are able to capture fortified cities. TheRoman Senateagrees to payAttilaatributeof 700 pounds ofgoldper year.
Africa
[edit]- End of theVandal War (439-442):EmperorValentinian IIIsigns apeace treatywith KingGenseric,and recognises theVandal Kingdom.He grants him sovereignty over most ofAfrica.Genseric gives backSicilyandMauretania(AlgeriaandMorocco). This marks the end of the Vandalmigrations;they settle inNorth Africa,withCarthageas their capital.
By topic
[edit]Religion
[edit]- TheMonastery of St. Shenouda the Archimandrite(White Monastery) nearSohag(Egypt) is built.
443
By place
[edit]Europe
[edit]- TheBurgundianssign apeace treatywithRome,agreeing to serve asfoederatiin theRoman army.They begin to move from theUpper RhineandFlavius Aetius,commander-in-chief (magister militum), gives them land in theGenevaarea (Maxima Sequanorum).
- Period ofcivil warand famine inBritain,caused by rival kingdoms andPictishinvasions; the situation aggravates tensions betweenPelagianandRomanfactions. Pro-Roman citizensmigratetowardsGaul.
By topic
[edit]Religion
[edit]- Gunabhadra,IndianBuddhistmonk, is an invited honored guest by emperorWen of Liu Song(Liu Song dynasty). He translates theLankavatara SutrafromSanskritinto theChinese language.
444
By place
[edit]Europe
[edit]- Flavius Aetius,Roman general (magister militum), settles theAlansaroundValenceandOrléans,to contain unrest inBrittany.
- Eudocia,eldest daughter of EmperorValentinian III,is betrothed toHuneric,son ofVandalKingGenseric(hostageinItaly).
- Attila the Hunestablishes his residence along theTisza River(modernHungary), and plans the coming campaign in theBalkans.
- TheIrishcity ofArmaghis founded by Saint Patrick the Great.
By topic
[edit]Religion
[edit]- Pope Leo Iextinguishes theGallicanvicariate.
- Dioscorus IbecomesPatriarch of Alexandria.
445
By place
[edit]Europe
[edit]- EmperorValentinian IIIissues an imperialedictagainstManichaeism.Heavy penalties are decreed against those who do not denounce thereligion,and retain Manichaean books.[3]
- Petronius Maximus,prominentaristocrat,is given the title ofPatrician.He becomes the most honored of all non-imperialRomans,and political rival ofFlavius Aetius.[4]
- Bleda,co-ruler of theHuns,dies in ahuntingaccident.[5]He is possibly murdered at the instigation of his younger brotherAttila,with whom he has ruled since434.Now about 39, Attila takes thethronefor himself, and becomes king of theHunnic Empire.
By topic
[edit]Religion
[edit]- Domnus II,Patriarch of Antioch,summons asynodofSyrianbishops to confirm the deposition of Athanasius of Perrha.
- Ireland:TheDiocese of Armaghis created.
446
By place
[edit]Europe
[edit]- BishopGermanus of AuxerrevisitsRavenna,seeking to soften imperial hostility towards theBagaudae.On his arrival at the capital, empress-motherGalla Placidiasends him a silverdishwith a choice selection of prepared dainties—allvegetarian,out of respect for the bishop's strictdiet.Germanus petitions theSenatefor leniency for the citizens ofArmorica(Brittany).[6]
- TheBritonsandAnglo-Saxonmercenaries, under KingVortigern,appeal toFlavius Aetius(magister militumofGaul) for military assistance in their struggle against thePictsandIrish.Aetius has enough problems withAttila the Hunand is unable to send any help (according toGroans of the Britons).
- TheCor Tewdws(College of Theodosius),Llantwit Major(Wales), is supposedly burned down byIrishpirates.
China
[edit]- Three Disasters of Wu:TheNorthern Wei dynastybegins persecutingBuddhists,having heretofore encouraged them. The drain of manpower andtaxmoney totemplesandmonasterieshas threatened the secular government, and the reaction is fierce:monksandnunsare murdered, temples andiconsdestroyed. All men under age 50 are prohibited from joining anymonastic orderin a program that will continue until450,helping theConfucianistphilosophy of theHan dynastyto gain dominance overBuddhism.
By topic
[edit]Religion
[edit]- A localsynodis held byTuribius of Astorga.
- Flavianbecomespatriarch of Constantinople.
447
By place
[edit]Byzantium
[edit]- November 6– TheWalls of Constantinopleare severely damaged by an earthquake, which destroys large parts of the structure, including 57towers.The population is threatened by a plague. EmperorTheodosius IIordersConstantine,praetorian prefect of the East,to supervise the repairs. He employs the city'sdemoi( "Circusfactions ") in the work, and rebuilds the walls within 60 days.
- TheHuns,led byAttila,cross theDanube,and invade theBalkansas far asThermopylae(Greece). During the invasion,Serdica(modernSofia) is destroyed. For disobeying the terms of the treaty made in442,Attila triples his demand fortributeto 2,100 pounds (ca. 700 kg) ofgoldper year; and theransomfor each Roman prisoner to 12solidi.
- Theodosius II sends anembassyto Attila;Priscus of Panium,envoy for theEastern Roman Empire.Priscus records one of the few eyewitness accounts of the Hun kingdom.
- Battle of the Utus:Attila defeats theRoman armynear the riverUtus(Vit, Bulgaria). The Huns are forced to abandon the siege ofConstantinople.They march north and plunder the defenseless Balkan provinces (includingThrace,Scythia,Moesia,DaciaandIllyricum).
- Winter – Theodosius II chooses a policy to protect Constantinople against the Huns. He removesAsparandAreobindus(magister militum) from their military commands.[7]
Europe
[edit]- Vortigern,king of the Britons,receives theSaxonleadersHengist and Horsa"as friends" and grants the brothers theIsle of Thanet,most easterly point ofKent(England).
By topic
[edit]Arts and Sciences
[edit]- The first entry in theAnnales Cambriærefers to this year.
Religion
[edit]- Germanus,bishop of Auxerre,makes his second visit toBritain.He spiritually combats the revivedPelagianthreat and expels theIrishfromPowys(Wales).
- TheSynod of Toledo(Spain) tries to add thefilioque clauseto theNicene Creed.TheEastern Orthodox Churchrefuses to go along with this idea.
448
By place
[edit]Byzantium
[edit]- EmperorTheodosius IIsends anembassytoAttila the Hun;Anatolius,an Eastern Roman general (magister militum) responsible for the security of the Eastern frontier, achieves apeace treatywith theHuns,in exchange for an annualtributeof 950 kilograms (2,100 lb) ofgoldper year.
- Attila demands in the treaty theevacuationof the territory running fromSingidunum(Belgrade,inSerbia) 500 kilometres (300 mi) east along theDanubetoNovae(Svishtov,inBulgaria). This depopulatedbuffer zonedeprives theRomansof their natural defensive advantages.[8]
- Theodosius II orders all non-Christian books burned.
Europe
[edit]- Flavius Aetiussuppresses theBagaudaeinArmorica(Gaul), and defeats theSalian Franksunder KingChlodionearArras(Belgica Secunda); the invaders are stopped around a river-crossing nearVicus Helena.
- Rechiarsucceeds his fatherRechilaasking of the SuebiinGalicia(NorthernSpain). He marries a daughter of theVisigothkingTheodoric Iand converts toCatholicism.
China
[edit]- Kou Qianzhi,ChineseDaoistreformer, dies after having converted emperorTaiwu of Northern Weiand having established Daoism as the country's dominantreligion.His death presages a revival ofBuddhismas China's dominant faith.
By topic
[edit]Religion
[edit]- Eutychesis accused ofheresyat asynodheld inConstantinople.
449
By place
[edit]Europe
[edit]- EmperorValentinian IIIsends anembassytoAttila the Hun.The purpose of the meeting is a long-running dispute overspoils of warduring theDanubeoffensive (441–442). Attila claims his lost property, but Valentinian andFlavius Aetius(magister militum) refuse this request.[9]
- Flavius Orestes,Romanaristocrat,is sent to Attila's court and becomes a high-ranking secretary (notarius). He is the father of the future emperorRomulus Augustulus.
- Traditional date –Vortigern,supposedking of the Britons,invitesHengist and Horsa,by tradition chieftains of theJutes,to form amilitary allianceagainst thePictsandScoti,so contributing to theAnglo-Saxon settlement of Britain(according toBede).
By topic
[edit]Religion
[edit]- August 3– TheSecond Council of Ephesusopens, chaired byDioscorus,patriarch of Alexandria.Flavian,patriarch of Constantinople,andDomnus II,patriarch of Antioch,are deposed onAugust 8.
- October– A Romansynodrepudiates all the decisions of the Second Council ofEphesus.
- Anatoliusbecomes patriarch ofConstantinople.
- Maximus IIbecomes patriarch ofAntioch.
Significant people
[edit]- Attila the Hun,King of the Huns
Births
440
- Bodhidharma,semi-legendaryBuddhistmonk(approximate date)
- Euric,Visigothicking and son ofTheodoric I(d.484)
- Gaudentius,son ofFlavius Aetius(approximate date)
- Qi Wudi,Chinese emperor of theSouthern Qi dynasty(d.493)
- Tonantius Ferreolus,Gallo-Romansenator andprefect of Gaul
- Vakhtang I,king ofIberia(modernGeorgia) (approximate date)
- Wen Cheng Di,emperor of theNorthern Wei dynasty(d.465)
441
442
- Feng,Chinese empress andregentof theNorthern Wei dynasty(d.490)
- Isidore of Miletus,Byzantinearchitectandmathematician(d.537)
- Placidia,Roman empress and daughter ofValentinian III(approximate date)
- Angelus Daemonicus,Roman general (d.?)
444
- Xiao Ni,prince ofSouthern Qi(d.492)
448
- Cyriacus of Athens,Greekanchoriteandsaint(d.557)
449
- February 25–Liu Ziye,emperor of theLiu Song dynasty(d.466)
- Eugendus,abbotofCondat Abbey(approximate date)
- Kavadh I,king of thePersian Empire(d.531)
Deaths
440
- February 17–Mesrob,Armenianmonkandlinguist(b.362)
- August 18–Pope Sixtus III[10](b.390)
- Amalgaid mac Fiachrae,king ofConnacht(Ireland)
- Yuan Qigui,empress and wife ofWen of Liu Song(b.405)[11]
441
- Hermeric,king of theSuebi
- John,Patriarch of Antioch
442
- Veh Mihr Shapur,Sasanianmilitary officer and Marzban ofArmenia
443
- Zong Bing,Chinese artist and musician
444
- Bricius,bishop of Tours
- Cyril of Alexandria,patriarchandtheologian[12]
- Juqu Wuhui,prince ofNorthern Liang
445
- Arsenius the Great,Desert Father
- KingBledaof theHuns(approximate date)
- Fan Ye,Chinesehistorian(b.398)
- Nath Í mac Fiachrach,High King of Ireland
446
- February 19–Leontius of Trier,Bishop ofTrier
- Mac Cairthinn mac Coelboth,king of Leinster(Ireland)
- Proclus,patriarch of Constantinople(approximate date)
447
- Areobindus,Roman general (magister militum)
- Juqu Mujian,prince of the Chinese stateNorthern Liang
- Secundinus(or Seachnaill),patron saint
448
- Kou Qianzhi,Chinese high official andDaoist(b.365)
- Rechila,king of the Suebi(approximate date)
- Saint Germanus,bishop of Auxerre(approximate date)
449
- August 11–Flavian,patriarch of Constantinople
- Eucherius,bishop of Lyon(approximate date)
- Hilary,bishop of Arles(b.403)
References
[edit]- ^Elton, Hugh (2018)."The Early Fifth Century, 395–455".The Roman Empire in Late Antiquity: A Political and Military History.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 151–194.doi:10.1017/9781139030236.ISBN978-0-521-89931-4.
- ^The End of Empire. Christopher Kelly, 2009.ISBN978-0-393-33849-2
- ^"CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Manichaeism".www.newadvent.org.Retrieved2024-06-13.
- ^Cavazzi, Franco (2021-12-17)."Emperor Petronius Maximus | The Roman Empire".Retrieved2024-06-13.
- ^"Bleda | Hun leader | Britannica".www.britannica.com.Retrieved2024-06-14.
- ^The End of Empire (p. 227). Christopher Kelly, 2009.ISBN978-0-393-33849-2
- ^The End of Empire(p. 144). Christopher Kelly, 2009.ISBN978-0-393-33849-2
- ^The End of Empire. Christopher Kelly, 2009.ISBN978-0-393-33849-2
- ^The End of Empire. Christopher Kelly, 2009.ISBN978-0-393-33849-2
- ^Hughes, Philip (1 January 1979).History of the Church: Volume 2: The Church In The World The Church Created: Augustine To Aquinas.A&C Black. p. 447.ISBN978-0-7220-7982-9.
- ^Lee, Lily Xiao Hong; Stefanowska, A. D.; Wiles, Sue (26 March 2015).Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. - 618 C.E.Routledge. p. 377.ISBN978-1-317-47591-0.
- ^"What Happened in 444 AD".OnThisDay.com.Retrieved2021-04-23.
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