372

Year 372 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Modestus and Arintheus. The denomination 372 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

Emperor Valentinian I is engaged in operations against the Alamanni, Quadi and Sarmatians, while his subordinates are dealing with the Roman usurper Firmus in Africa and the Picts in Britain.

The Huns attack the Tervingi on the Dniester, overwhelming them with light cavalry, and devastating the settlements of the Goths. King Athanaric is defeated and seeks refuge in Caucaland in the Carpathian Mountains.
Athanaric starts building new defensive works to protect his people against the Alans and the Huns.

Sixteen Kingdoms: Jin Feidi is dethroned as emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He is replaced by his granduncle Sima Yu, who is installed as Jin Jianwendi.
September 12 – Jin Xiaowudi, age 10, succeeds his father Jin Jianwendi. Empress Chu Suanzi serves as regent, but decisions are made by the high officials Xie An and Wang Tanzhi.
The first diplomatic ties are established between the Korean kingdom of Baekje and the Chinese court of the Jin Dynasty.

The national academy of Chinese learning, called Taehak, is established in the kingdom of Goguryeo.
Basil the Great establishes the Basileias, possibly the first hospital, near Caesarea Mazaca on land granted by emperor Valens.