360 Facts for Kids

The year 360 was a leap year starting on Saturday in the Julian calendar. This calendar was used by the Roman Empire at the time. People in those days called it the "Year of the Consulship of Constantius and Iulianus." The number 360 became common much later, during the Middle Ages, when the Anno Domini system for naming years became popular in Europe.

Julian is proclaimed Emperor in Paris at the Thermes de Cluny.

Key Events of 360 AD

Roman Empire: A New Emperor?

In February 360, something big happened in the Roman Empire. Julian, who was a Roman general and a "Caesar" (a high-ranking title, like a junior emperor), was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers. This happened in Lutetia, which is now the city of Paris in France, at the Thermes de Cluny.

Why did this happen? Julian's soldiers, mostly from Gaul (modern France), refused to go fight in the east against King Shapur II of Persia. They were tired of fighting far from home and decided to make Julian their emperor instead. This created a big problem because there was already an emperor, Constantius II.

Julian and Emperor Constantius II exchanged many letters. Both leaders wanted to avoid a civil war, which is a war between people from the same country.

Meanwhile, the Alamanni, a group of Germanic people, attacked Raetia (an area in modern Switzerland). Julian's forces pushed them back across the Rhine River and into the Black Forest.

In the east, King Shapur II of Persia continued his attacks on Roman forts. His armies captured important cities like Singara, Bezabde, and Nisibis.

Europe: The Huns Arrive

Around this time, thousands of Huns began to invade Europe. The Huns were a powerful group of nomadic people from Asia. They caused a lot of fear as they took over lands that had been held by groups like the Alans, Heruls, Ostrogoths, and Visigoths for many generations.

Asia: Japan's Influence

In Asia, Japan started a period of about 30 years where it had a strong influence over Korea.

Agriculture and Trade

The Roman government in Britannia (modern Britain) was busy exporting wheat. This wheat was sent to supply the Roman soldiers stationed along the Rhine River. The Romans had encouraged farmers in Britain to grow a lot of wheat for this purpose.

Religion: Church Councils

A major church meeting, called the First Council of Constantinople, took place in Constantinople. Emperor Constantius II asked for this meeting, and bishops from both the eastern and western parts of the empire attended. During this council, Wulfila, a bishop who translated the Bible into Gothic, supported the new religious statement that was created. After the council, some bishops, including Macedonius I of Constantinople and Cyril of Jerusalem, were removed from their positions or sent away because of their beliefs.

Notable People Born in 360 AD

John Cassian: A Christian saint and important religious figure (approximate date).
Saint Mesrob: An Armenian monk and religious scholar (approximate date).
Saint Ninian: A missionary who traveled to Scotland (approximate date).
Tao Sheng: A Chinese Buddhist scholar (approximate date).
Empress Wang Fahui: An empress during the Jin Dynasty in China.

Notable People Who Died in 360 AD

Eustathius of Antioch: A religious leader and Patriarch of Antioch (approximate date).
Murong Jun: An emperor of the Former Yan kingdom in China, born in 319 AD.

360 facts for kids