380s

Below are some of the important events that happened between 380 and 389.

380

• January or February – Emperor Theodosius I is baptized.
• February 27 – Edict of Thessalonica: Theodosius I, with co-emperors Gratian and Valentinian II, say that all Roman citizens should become Christians.
• The Rock of Cashel is built in Ireland.
• The Visigothic chieftain Fritigern dies. His rival Athanaric becomes king of the entire Gothic nation.

381

• Roman Emperor Gratian moves the capital to Mediolanum (modern Milan).
• The Visigothic chieftain Athanaric becomes the first foreign king to visit the East Roman capital of Constantinople.
• Flavian succeeds Meletius as Patriarch of Antioch.
• Timothy succeeds Peter as Patriarch of Alexandria.

382

• Roman Emperor Gratian removes the Altar of Victory from the Senate.

383

• Niall of the Nine Hostages becomes the first High King of Ireland.
• Hadrian's Wall is overrun by the Picts.
• January 19 – Arcadius becomes Roman Emperor.
• Roman troops in Britain call Magnus Maximus Emperor. He crosses over to the continent and makes Trier his capital.
• King Ardashir II dies after a 4-year reign. He is succeeded by his son Shapur III.

384

• Magnus Maximus returns to Britain to help them with the Barbarians raids.
• An edict of Theodosius I closes pagan temples in the Nile Valley.
• King Shapur III signs a treaty with Theodosius I. Armenia is divided in two kingdoms.
• December 17 – Pope Siricius succeeds Damasus I as the 38th pope.

385

• Jinsa of Baekje becomes the 16th king of the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje.
• Copper extraction and casting begins in the mines of Kansanshi in southernmost Africa.
• Ammianus Marcellinus begins writing a history covering the years 96 to 378.
• The Serapeum in Alexandria is destroyed.
• Aurelios Zopyros becomes the last reported athlete at the Ancient Olympic Games.

386

• The Greuthungi cross the Danube to raid the Roman garrisons.
• Magnus Maximus invades Italy.
• The Northern Wei Dynasty begins in China.

387

• Spring – Emperor Theodosius I increases the taxes in Antioch. The peasants start a riot.
• Magnus Maximus invades Italy. Emperor Valentinian II, age 16, is forced out of Rome.
• Winter – Emperor Theodosius I takes Valentinian II into protection.

388

• Battle of the Save: Emperor Theodosius I defeats Magnus Maximus near Emona.
• Valentinian II is restored as Roman Emperor.
• August 28 – Magnus Maximus surrenders at Aquileia and is executed.
• Bahram IV becomes the twelfth Sassanid king of Persia.
• Emperor Chandragupta II, ruler of the Gupta Empire, begins a war against the Shaka Dynasty in West India.

389

• All pagan buildings in Alexandria are destroyed by fire. This includes the library.