438

By place

Roman Empire

• Emperor Theodosius II forbids the divulging of secrets of naval carpentry, probably to avoid its spread to the rising Vandal power in North Africa.
• February 15 - The Codex Theodosianus, a collection of edicts of Roman law, is published.
• Aelia Eudocia, wife of Theodosius II, goes on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, bringing back with her holy relics to prove her faith.
• The last gladiatorial fights are held in the Colosseum in Rome.

  Europe

• King Hermeric of the Suebic Kingdom of Galicia is forced after a seven-year illness to retire. He hands the government over to his son Rechila.

  Persia

• Bahram V dies after an 18-year reign. He is succeeded by his son Yazdegerd II, who becomes the fifteenth Sassanid king of the Persian Empire.

  By topic

Religion

• Relics of John Chrysostom are transported to Constantinople.