Galla Placidia bears the second of two…

A fanatical monk named Barsauma of Nisibis gathers a group of like-minded followers in 419 and for the next three years will try to destroy synagogues throughout Palestine.

Some historical sources say that Wallia was related to Alaric only by marriage.

Wallia's daughter marries Rechila, King of the Suevi, and will become the mother of Ricimer and the mother in law of Gundowech, King of the Burgundians.

Wallia is succeeded in 419 as king of the Visigoths by Theodoric, who completes the settlements in Gallia Aquitania and expands his military power to the south.

Those Alani and Silingi Vandals who had survived the fierce Roman-sponsored Visigothic attacks of 415-18 now seek refuge with the Asdingi Vandals and the Suebi in Galicia.

Faced by the dual threat of Romans and Visigoths, they hasten to seek peace with the empire, which they obtain.

The Visigothic Expansion into Saintonge

In 419 CE, the Visigoths continue their consolidation of power in Gaul, extending their control northward to Saintonge, a region north of the Gironde estuary along the Bay of Biscay. This expansion strengthens their hold over Aquitania Secunda, further securing their presence in southwestern Gaul.

At this time, the Western Roman Empire remains in a fragile state, struggling to recover from the invasions of 406–407and ongoing civil conflicts. The Visigoths, who had been settled in Aquitania as Roman foederati, increasingly act in their own interests, pushing beyond their designated lands. The conquest of Saintonge is significant for several reasons:

1. Strategic Control – The region lies along vital trade and communication routes between the interior of Gaul and the Atlantic coast. Securing Saintonge strengthens the Visigoths’ influence over key economic centers and supply lines.
2. Weak Roman Authority – By 419, Roman control in Gaul is weakening, with imperial forces largely unable to contain the Visigoths’ growing ambitions. Their occupation of Saintonge signals their ability to act independently of Roman oversight.
3. Foreshadowing Further Expansion – Though still officially federates of Rome, the Visigoths are increasingly behaving as a sovereign power, laying the groundwork for the expansion of their kingdom into Toulouse, Iberia, and beyond.

By establishing control over Saintonge, the Visigoths further entrench themselves as the dominant power in southwestern Gaul, a position they will use to press deeper into Iberia over the following decades. This expansion is an early indicator of the transformation of the Western Roman world, as former allies become rulers of their own kingdoms, reshaping the map of post-Roman Europe.

Political fragmentation retards cultural development in China.

China’s Nanjing-based Eastern Jin Dynasty is eliminated in 420.

The Northern Wei Dynasty unifies the Northern portion of the Chinese Empire, which will have three competing dynasties—Northern Wei, Northern Yan and Northern Liang, while …

…the Song (or Liu Song) Dynasty dominates the Southern state; Nanjing is reinstated as the capital.

The Huns under leadership of the brothers Octar and Rugila expand their rule through neighboring tribal groups.

Abdas, Bishop of Susa, engaged in a dispute with the local magi in 420, is accused of burning down one of their temples, a pyramid of Ahura Mazda.

King Yazdegerd orders the bishop to restore and repair the building at his own expense.

Upon Abdas' refusal, the King orders the destruction of the churches.

These events sour the good relationship between the Christian church and the Persian government and causes a wave of persecution against the Christians in Persia.

A new treaty with Rome results in the widowed Galla Placidia’s return and a pledge by the Visigoths, in exchange for food subsidies, to attack the Alans and Vandals in Spain.

The Visigoths break their peace with Rome in 420, however, by assisting the Vandals in a battle.