Roman Empire: A pillar in the sky — 384
“A terrible sign appeared in the sky, shaped like a pillar (columna). It was in the time of the Roman Emperor, Theodosius.” A number of atmospheric phenomena, or a comet, can produce this effect.
Source: Lycosthenes, op. cit., 279. 393 (or 390), Roman Empire Brilliant globes, swarming like bees A brilliant globe is observed close to Venus. Many others join in, “swarming like bees.” The first reference for this item is Bougard, Inforespace no. 22 (August 1975) p.34, quoting Lycosthenes Prodigiorum ac Ostentorum Chronicon. Further research shows that the primary source is historian Philostorgius, in his Ecclesiasticae Historiae (composed in 425 AD). He wrote that after Theodosius I returned to Rome following a victory over Clemens Maximus, there appeared “a new and strange star…which announced the coming of very great calamities upon the world.” It was first seen at midnight in the east and was said to be “large and bright, and in brilliance it was not much inferior to the morning star (…) A concourse of stars gathered around it on every side, like a swarm of bees.” Later “the light of all the stars mingled together” and the object took on the appearance of a huge double-edged sword. It lasted for 40 days. Our conclusion: the object probably was a comet, which was actually visible in 390 AD. Case: W471