494 CE

Emperor Xiao Wen Di moves the capital of Northern Wei from Datong to Luoyang. He makes Chinese the official language of his court, and orders his nobility to adopt Chinese names. The Decretum Gelasianum is attributed. Gelasius I delineates the relationship between church and state (Doctrine of the two swords, formulated in his letter Famuli vestrae pietatis to the East Roman Emperor Anastasius I.).

In the 490s, the 5th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Emperor Xiao Wen Di moves the capital of Northern Wei from Datong to Luoyang. He makes Chinese the official language of his court, and orders his nobility to adopt Chinese names.source

Religion & Belief

  • The Decretum Gelasianum is attributed.source
  • Gelasius I delineates the relationship between church and state (Doctrine of the two swords, formulated in his letter Famuli vestrae pietatis to the East Roman Emperor Anastasius I.)source
  • Gelasius I canonizes Saint George.source

Climate & Environment

  • An earthquake devastates the port town of Latakia (modern Syria).source

Births

  • Gildas, British historian and priest (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • Xiao Zhaowen, emperor of Southern Qi (born 480)source
  • Xiao Zhaoye, emperor of Southern Qi (known as the Prince of Yulin) (born 473)source