555 CE

Pope Vigilius dies at Syracuse on his journey back home. His body is brought to Rome and buried in the San Martino ai Monti. King Gubazes II is invited to observe the siege of a Persian-held fortress, and is murdered by the Byzantine military staff after accusing them of incompetence. Cybi Felyn, abbot of Holyhead, dies at his monastery in Caer Gybi (approximate date).

In the 550s, the 6th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Chinese Liang dynasty: Jing Di, age 12, succeeds his father Yuan Di and is declared emperor by general Chen Baxian.source
  • King Chlothar I annexes the Frankish territories of Metz and Reims, after the death of his great-nephew Theudebald.source
  • By this date, the Roman Empire under Justinian I has reached its height. Justinian I has reconquered many former territories of the Western Roman Empire, including Italy, Dalmatia, Africa and Southern Hispania.source

Conflict & Security

  • The Rouran Khaganate ends; it is defeated by the Göktürks under Muqan Qaghan, who expands his rule in Central Asia.source
  • Summer – Lazic War: The Byzantine army under Bessas is repulsed, and forced to retreat out of Archaeopolis (Georgia).source

Climate & Environment

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

Culture & Society

  • Taliesin, British poet, becomes court bard to King Brochwel of Powys (approximate date).source
  • Around this time, the historian Jordanes writes several books, among them De origine actibusque Getarum (The origin and deeds of the Goths).source

Births

  • Khadija, wife of Islamic prophet Muhammad (approximate date)source
  • Fatimah bint Asad, mother of Ali ibn Abi Talib (died 626)source
  • Basolus, French Benedictine and hermit (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • January 27 – Yuan Di, emperor of the Liang dynasty (born 508)source
  • June 7 – Pope Vigilius dies at Syracuse on his journey back home. His body is brought to Rome and buried in the San Martino ai Monti.source
  • September/October - Gubazes II, king of Lazica (Georgia)source
  • Helier, Flemish-born hermit and patron saint of Jerseysource
  • Ly Thien Bao, emperor of Vietnam (born 499)source
  • King Gubazes II is invited to observe the siege of a Persian-held fortress, and is murdered by the Byzantine military staff after accusing them of incompetence.source
  • Wang Sengbian, general of the Liang dynastysource
  • King Erb of Gwent (in Southern Wales) dies; his kingdom is divided into Gwent and Ergyng (approximate date).source
  • Cybi Felyn, abbot of Holyhead, dies at his monastery in Caer Gybi (approximate date).source