On This Day
·

St Damasus I dies and ends his reign as Catholic Pope. Began reign 366

Pope Damasus I (305 – 11 December 384), also known as Damasus of Rome, was the bishop of Rome from October 366 to his death in 384.

Pope Damasus I (305 – 11 December 384), also known as Damasus of Rome, was the bishop of Rome from October 366 to his death in 384. He presided over the Council of Rome of 382 that determined the canon or official list of sacred scripture. Damasus spoke out against major heresies (including Apollinarianism and Macedonianism), thus solidifying the faith of the Catholic Church, and encouraged production of the Vulgate Bible with his support for Jerome. He helped reconcile the relations between the Church of Rome and the Church of Antioch, and encouraged the veneration of martyrs.

As well as various prose letters and other pieces Damasus was the author of Latin verse.

Historical Significance

Pope Damasus I (305 – 11 December 384), also known as Damasus of Rome, was the bishop of Rome from October 366 to his death in 384.

Events Before

  1. Battle of Adrianople: Gothic rebel army defeats Roman forces under Emperor Valens, who is killed

    The Battle of Adrianople, also known as Battle of Hadrianopolis, was fought between the Eastern Roman army led by the Roman emperor Valens and Gothic rebels (largely Thervings as well as Greutungs,...

  2. Teotihuacan General Siyaj K'ak', conquers the important Mayan city Tikal and deposes its ruler

    Teotihuacan General Siyaj K'ak', conquers the important Mayan city Tikal and deposes its ruler

  3. Theodosius installed as co-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire by Emperor Gratian, charged with repelling the Goths

    Theodosius installed as co-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire by Emperor Gratian, charged with repelling the Goths

  4. Theodosius I makes his adventus, or first formal entry, into Constantinople

    Theodosius I makes his adventus, or first formal entry, into Constantinople

  5. Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his six year old son Arcadius co-emperor

    Theodosius I (Ancient Greek: Θεοδόσιος Theodosios; 11 January 347 – 17 January 395), also known as Theodosius the Great, was Roman emperor from 379 to 395.

Events After

  1. Siricius, bishop of Tarragona, elected as Bishop of Rome; first to style himself Pope

    Siricius, bishop of Tarragona, elected as Bishop of Rome; first to style himself Pope

  2. Bishop Ambrose of Milan baptizes Augustine of Hippo

    Ambrose of Milan (Latin: Aurelius Ambrosius; c. 339 – 4 April 397), canonized as Saint Ambrose, was a theologian and statesman who served as Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397.

  3. Battle at Aquileja: Emperor Theodosius beats emperor Magnus Maximis

    Battle at Aquileja: Emperor Theodosius beats emperor Magnus Maximis

  4. BC Roman-Gaulish Wars: Battle of the Allia - Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, leads to subsequent sacking of Rom

    BC Roman-Gaulish Wars: Battle of the Allia - Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, leads to subsequent sacking of Rome

  5. Roman Emperor Theodosius I declares Christianity the state religion

    Theodosius I (Ancient Greek: Θεοδόσιος Theodosios; 11 January 347 – 17 January 395), also known as Theodosius the Great, was Roman emperor from 379 to 395.

More from the 380s

Theodosius I makes his adventus, or first formal entry, into Constantinople

Theodosius I makes his adventus, or first formal entry, into Constantinople

Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his six year old son Arcadius co-emperor

Theodosius I (Ancient Greek: Θεοδόσιος Theodosios; 11 January 347 – 17 January 395), also known as Theodosius the Great, was Roman emperor from 379 to 395.

Siricius, bishop of Tarragona, elected as Bishop of Rome; first to style himself Pope

Siricius, bishop of Tarragona, elected as Bishop of Rome; first to style himself Pope

Bishop Ambrose of Milan baptizes Augustine of Hippo

Ambrose of Milan (Latin: Aurelius Ambrosius; c. 339 – 4 April 397), canonized as Saint Ambrose, was a theologian and statesman who served as Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 11, 384?
Pope Damasus I (305 – 11 December 384), also known as Damasus of Rome, was the bishop of Rome from October 366 to his death in 384. He presided over the Council of Rome of 382 that determined the canon or official list of sacred scripture. Damasus spoke out against major heresies (including Apollinarianism and Macedonianism), thus solidifying the faith of the Catholic Church, and encouraged production of the Vulgate Bible with his support for Jerome.
Why is St Damasus I dies and ends his reign as Catholic Pope. Began reign 366 significant?
Pope Damasus I (305 – 11 December 384), also known as Damasus of Rome, was the bishop of Rome from October 366 to his death in 384.

Explore More

December 11 in HistoryYear 384