4th century

As a means of recording the passage of time, the 4th century (per the Julian/Gregorian calendar and anno Domini era) was that century which lasted from 301 to 400.

Overview

Events

Contemporary bronze head of Constantine I.

• 301: Armenia first to adopt Christianity as state religion
• 306–337: Constantine I, ends persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, calls First Council of Nicaea, see also Constantinian shift, Constantinople becomes new seat of government (New Rome)
• 378: Battle of Adrianople
• 378–395: Theodosius I, Roman emperor, bans pagan worship, Christianity is made the official religion of the Empire.
• 383: Battle of Fei River in China

Significant People

• Arius, founder of Arianism
• Athanasius, opponent of Arius
• Saint Augustine of Hippo, theologian
• Saint Ambrose, bishop of Milan
• Basil of Caesarea, reformer of Christian monasticism
• Eusebius, famous Christian Church historian
• Frumentius, Apostle of Ethiopia
• Ge Hong, Chinese alchemist
• Ammianus Marcellinus, Roman Historian
• Saint Martin of Tours
• Pachomius, founder of Christian monasticism
• Ulfilas, apostle of the Goths
• Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo, King of ancient Korean state Goguryeo who greatly expanded its territory

Inventions, discoveries, introductions

• Kama Sutra
• Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus, earliest Christian bibles

Decades and years