Editing 408

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{{About year|408|the French-built car|Peugeot 408|the Soviet-built car|Moskvitch 408|}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2017}}
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[[File:Constantineiii.jpg|thumb|Emperor [[Constantine III (Western Roman Emperor)|Constantine III]] (407–411)]]
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Year '''408''' ('''[[Roman numerals|CDVIII]]''') was a [[leap year starting on Wednesday]] of the [[Julian calendar]]. At the time, it was known as the '''Year of the Consulship of [[Anicius Auchenius Bassus (consul 408)|Bassus]] and Philippus''' (or, less frequently, '''year 1161 ''[[Ab urbe condita]]'''''). The denomination 408 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 ==
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=== By place ===

==== Roman Empire ====
* [[May 1]] &ndash; Emperor [[Arcadius]] dies in his palace at [[Constantinople]], after a weak 13-year reign. He is succeeded by his 7-year-old son, [[Theodosius II]], who rules under the domination of his devout [[Christians|Christian]] sister [[Pulcheria]] and [[Anthemius (praetorian prefect)|Anthemius]], who acts as [[regent]].
* Summer &ndash; Emperor [[Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]] marries [[Thermantia]], second daughter of [[Stilicho]], his famous general (''[[magister militum]]'').
* The Roman usurper [[Constantine III (Western Roman Emperor)|Constantine III]] establishes his headquarters at [[Arles]] (Southern [[Gaul]]) and elevates his eldest son, [[Constans II (son of Constantine III)|Constans]], to the rank of ''[[Caesar (title)|Caesar]]''. He sends him with an expeditionary force under [[Gerontius (magister militum)|Gerontius]] to [[Hispania]], in order to suppress the revolt of some members of the [[Theodosian dynasty|House of Theodosius]], who are loyal to Honorius.
* [[August 22]] &ndash; Stilicho is accused of [[treason]] against Honorius and is [[Decapitation|decapitated]] at [[Ravenna]]. His [[Huns|Hun]] bodyguard is killed; mass murders of [[Vandals|Vandal]] soldiers follow.<ref>The End of Empire. Christopher Kelly, 2009. {{ISBN|978-0-393-33849-2}}</ref>
* The [[Hexamilion wall]] is constructed. [[Fortification]]s are built across the [[Isthmus of Corinth]], guarding the only land route into the [[Peloponnese]] peninsula from [[Greece]].
* [[September]] &ndash; King [[Alaric I]] of the [[Visigoths]] crosses the [[Julian Alps]] with an army of 30,000 men, and marches into the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] heartland. He lays siege to [[Rome]], and Gothic [[auxiliaries]] desert to join Alaric's forces. After much bargaining, the [[Roman Senate|Senate]] agrees to pay him a ransom of 5,000 pounds of [[gold]], 30,000 pounds of [[silver]], 4,000 [[silk]]en tunics, and 3,000 [[Hide (skin)|hide]]s dyed [[Scarlet (color)|scarlet]].
*  Alaric also demands, and obtains, the freedom of 30,000 people who had been enslaved in Rome.
* The Huns under [[Uldin]] cross the lower [[Danube]] and attack the [[Eastern Roman Empire]], setting fire to frontier forts and taking control of the [[Castra martis|Castra Martis]] (modern [[Bulgaria]]). The Romans negotiate for peace, but Uldin demands an exorbitant gold [[tribute]] in return for his withdrawal. This demand is rejected and Anthemius forces the Huns back across the Danube.
* [[Attila]], age 2, is sent as a child [[hostage]] to the court at Rome and in return, the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] send [[Flavius Aetius]] to the Huns.

==== Persia ====
* King [[Yazdegerd I]] of [[Sassanid Empire|Persia]] maintains cordial relations with the [[Roman Empire]]. He becomes an executor of Arcadius' [[Will (law)|will]] and is entrusted with the care of the young Theodosius II until he comes of age.

=== By topic ===

==== Medicine ====
* Alaric I exacts a tribute from Rome that includes 3,000 pounds of [[Black pepper|pepper]]. The spice is valued for alleged [[Medicine|medicinal]] virtues and for disguising [[Meat spoilage|spoilage]] in [[meat]] that is past its prime.
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== Births ==
*[[Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei|Tai Wu Di]], emperor of the [[Northern Wei|Northern Wei Dynasty]] (d. [[452]])

== Deaths ==
* [[May 1]] &ndash; [[Arcadius]], [[Roman Emperor]]
* [[May 4]] &ndash; [[Venerius (bishop of Milan)|Venerius]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milan|bishop of Milan]] and [[Saint]]
* [[August 22]] &ndash; [[Stilicho]], Roman general

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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[[Category:408| ]]