438

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Gladiator combat, by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1872)

Year 438 (CDXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Theodosius and Glabrio (or, less frequently, year 1191 Ab urbe condita). The denomination 438 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

By place

Roman Empire

• Emperor Theodosius II forbids the divulging of secrets of naval carpentry, probably to avoid its spread to the rising Vandal power in North Africa.
• February 15 – The Codex Theodosianus, a collection of edicts of Roman law, is published.
• Aelia Eudocia, wife of Theodosius II, goes on a pilgrimage to Jeruzalem, bringing back with her holy relics to prove her faith.
• The last gladiatorial fights are held in the Colosseum (Rome). Animal hunts continue until at least 523.

Europe

• King Hermeric of the Suebic Kingdom of Galicia is forced after a seven-year illness to retire. He hands the government over to his son Rechila.

Persia

• Bahram V dies after a 18-year reign. He is succeeded by his son Yazdegerd II who becomes the fifteenth Sassanid king of the Persian Empire.

By topic

Religion

• Relics of John Chrysostom are transported to Constantinople.

Births

• Epiphanius, bishop of Pavia (d. 496)

Deaths

• Bahram V, king of the Persian Empire
• Feng Hong, last emperor of Northern Yan

References