395 facts for kids
| Millennium: | 1st millennium |
|---|---|
| Centuries: | 3rd century – 4th century – 5th century |
| Decades: | 360s 370s 380s – 390s – 400s 410s 420s |
| Years: | 392 393 394 – 395 – 396 397 398 |
The year 395 AD was a time of big changes, especially for the powerful Roman Empire. This year saw the death of a very important emperor, which led to the empire being split into two parts. It was also a year when different groups of people, like the Visigoths, were moving around and changing the map of Europe.
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The Roman Empire Divides
In 395 AD, the Roman Emperor Theodosius I passed away on January 17. He was the last emperor to rule over both the eastern and western parts of the Roman Empire. After his death, the empire was officially divided into two separate empires:
- The Western Roman Empire
- The Eastern Roman Empire (also known as the Byzantine Empire)
Theodosius's two sons became emperors of these new parts. His older son, Arcadius, became the ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire. His younger son, Honorius, became the ruler of the Western Roman Empire. This division was a huge moment in history, as the two parts of the empire would follow very different paths from then on.
Arcadius and His Marriage
Arcadius, who was about 18 years old when he became emperor of the East, married a woman named Aelia Eudocia in 395 AD. Eudocia was the daughter of a powerful general named Flavius Bauto. This marriage was important because it connected the new emperor to a strong military family.
Visigoths on the Move
During 395 AD, a group of people called the Visigoths began to move into Roman lands. The Visigoths were a Germanic tribe who had settled within the Roman Empire. In this year, they invaded areas known as Thrace and Macedonia. These regions were part of the Eastern Roman Empire. Their movements caused a lot of trouble and showed how the Roman Empire was struggling to control its borders.
Saint Augustine Becomes Bishop
In a different part of the Roman world, a famous Christian leader named Saint Augustine became the Bishop of Hippo Regius. Hippo Regius was an important city in North Africa. Saint Augustine was a very influential writer and thinker. His work helped shape Christian beliefs for many centuries to come. Becoming a bishop meant he was a key religious leader in his community.
Images for kids
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The Roman Empire (395)
