428 facts for kids

Saint Euthymius the Great

The year 428 was a leap year that started on a Sunday in the Julian calendar. It was a time of many changes and important events across the world, especially in the Roman Empire and Europe.

What Happened in 428?

Changes in the Roman Empire

• A Roman governor named Bonifacius was in charge of Africa. He had a disagreement with the main Roman Empire and asked the Vandals, a powerful group, to help him.
• Flavius Felix became an important leader, known as a consul, for the Western Roman Empire. This was a very high position in the government.

Events in Europe

• King Gunderic, who was 49 years old, passed away after ruling for 21 years. His half-brother, Genseric, took over as king.
• King Vortigern in Britain asked for help from Germanic warriors. He hired Saxons as mercenaries (soldiers who fight for money) to help him fight against the Picts and the Scots. These groups lived beyond Hadrian's Wall.
• Chlodio, the king of the Salian Franks, led his army into Northern Gaul (an area that is now part of France). He won a battle against the Roman army near Cambrai. He then expanded his kingdom south to the River Somme. The city of Tournai (which is in modern Belgium) became his home.

Events in Asia

• Artaxias IV, who was the last king of Greater Armenia, was removed from power by Bahram V. This meant the end of the Arshakuni Dynasty that had ruled Armenia for a long time. Armenia then became a part of the Persian Empire.

Science and Religion

Astronomy

• On October 26, something cool happened in the sky: the planet Venus passed directly in front of the planet Jupiter. This is called an occultation.

Religion

• On April 10, a man named Nestorius became the main church leader, called a patriarch, in Constantinople. He started teaching a new idea about faith, which was later called Nestorianism. This new idea was immediately challenged by important church leaders like Pope Celestine I and Cyril of Alexandria.
• Hydatius became a bishop (another important church leader) in a place called Aquae Flaviae in Gallaecia (which is now Chaves in Portugal).
• John took over from Theodotus as the patriarch of Antioch. He supported Nestorius's new ideas.
• Euthymius the Great built a monastery (a special place where monks live and pray) in Palestine, close to the Dead Sea.

New People Born in 428

• Tuoba Huang, who would become a prince of the Xianbei state called Northern Wei.

People Who Passed Away in 428

• Gunderic, the king of the Vandals and Alans.
• Qifu Chipan, a prince from the Xianbei state called Western Qin.
• Theodore of Mopsuestia, a bishop and theologian (someone who studies religion).