504 CE

War with Sassanid Persia: Emperor Anastasius I gains the upper hand in Armenia, with the renewed investment of Amida. Theodoric the Great builds the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, originally dedicated to Christ the Redeemer. A major expansion of Copán's ceremonial center, the Acropolis complex, is undertaken by B'alam Nehn (Waterlily Jaguar), the seventh ruler (ajaw) of the southeastern Maya city (approximate date).

In the 500s, the 6th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • King Theodoric the Great defeats the Gepids, and drives them out of their homeland (Pannonia).source

Conflict & Security

  • War with Sassanid Persia: Emperor Anastasius I gains the upper hand in Armenia, with the renewed investment of Amida.source
  • King Kavadh I hands over the fortress-city of Amida, and agrees to an armistice with the Byzantine Empire.source
  • The Ostrogoths sack Belgrade, on the Danube and Sava rivers (modern Serbia).source

Religion & Belief

  • Theodoric the Great builds the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, originally dedicated to Christ the Redeemer.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • A major expansion of Copán's ceremonial center, the Acropolis complex, is undertaken by B'alam Nehn (Waterlily Jaguar), the seventh ruler (ajaw) of the southeastern Maya city (approximate date).source