361

By place

Roman Empire

• November 3 - Emperor Constantius II dies of a fever at Mopsuestia in Cilicia, age 44; on his deathbed he is baptised, and declares his cousin Julian the Apostate rightful successor.
• December 11 - Julian becomes sole emperor of the Roman Empire; he rules from Constantinople, and tries to restore paganism. Constantius II is buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles.
• Ministers and followers of Constantius II are put on trial, at the Chalcedon Tribunal.

  China

• July 10 - Sixteen Kingdoms: Jin Aidi, age 20, succeeds Jin Mudi, as emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

  By topic

Art

• 361-363 - A Julian the Apostate coin is issued. It is now kept at the British Museum, London.

  Medicine

• Constantinople enforces a strict licensing system for physicians.

  Religion

• Emperor Julian tries to organize a pagan church and substitute it for Christianity. Pope Liberius repudiates the Arian creed, and declares that the Council of Arminium has no authority to issue decrees.
• Gregory Nazianzus returns to Nazianzus and is appointed a priest by his father, who wants him to assist local Christians.
• Construction of the Monastery of Saint Anthony in the Eastern Desert of Egypt begins.
• December 24 - George of Cappadocia, the Arian intruding bishop of Alexandria, is murdered in his see and Athanasius of Alexandria returns to his native city in triumph.