Year 370 (CCCLXX) was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Augustus and Valens (or, less frequently, year 1123 Ab urbe condita). The denomination 370 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

Events

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By place

Roman Empire

• Germanic Invasions: Various Germanic tribes are forced against the northern borders of the Roman Empire as they flee the invading Huns.

• A law of Valentinian I and Valens bans marriages between Romans and barbarians under penalty of death.

• An edict issued by Valentinian I and Valens bans the importation of wine and olive oil from areas controlled by the barbarians.

Europe

• The Huns migrate westward from the Volga into Europe and subjugate the Alans and the Ostrogoths. With their arrival, a tradition of composite bows is introduced.

• Athanaric, Gothic leader of the Tervingi, advances eastwards and takes up a defensive position along the banks of the Dniester (Romania).

Asia

• Former Qin conquers Former Yan in China.

By topic

Religion

• Basil the Great becomes bishop of Caesarea (Cappadocia).

• Demophilus of Constantinople becomes Patriarch of Constantinople, although his position is disputed by Evagrius of Constantinople.

• John Chrysostom is baptized.

Births

• Alaric I (or Alaricus), king of the Visigoths (d. 410)

• Brice of Tours, Catholic bishop of Tours (d. 444)

• Claudian, Roman poet and writer (d. 404)

• Decimus Rusticus, Roman praetorian prefect

• Hypatia, Greek female philosopher (d. 415)

Deaths

• Deng Xia (or Yingyuan), Chinese general (approximate date)

• Eudoxius of Antioch, Syrian patriarch of Constantinople

• Lucifer Calaritanus, founder of the Luciferian sect (approximate date)

• Pharantzem, Armenian queen and regent (approximate date)

• Strategius Musonianus, Roman politician (approximate date)

• Valentinianus Galates, Roman emperor (approximate date)

• Yuan Zhen (or Yanren), Chinese general and rebel leader

References