595 CE

Pope Gregory I the Great sends a group of Benedictine monks under Augustine of Canterbury on a mission to Britain, to Christianize King Æthelberht, and convert the Kingdom of Kent from native Anglo-Saxon paganism. He carries letters of commendation to bishops, and is accompanied by Frankish interpreters. John IV ("the Faster"), patriarch of Constantinople, dies after a 13-year reign in which he has mediated disputes between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Monophysites. Supratisthitavarman succeeds his father Susthitavarman, as king of the Varman dynasty in Assam (Northeast India).

In the 590s, the 6th century.

Conflict & Security

  • Spring – Emperor Wéndi orders the confiscation and destruction of privately held weapons; he exempts the border provinces from this edict.source
  • The Lombards sack the town of Terracina (Central Italy). After they conquer more cities, Terracina remains an important military stronghold of the Byzantine Empire.source
  • Balkan Campaign: A Byzantine relief force under Priscus marches up the Danube River along the southern bank to Novae (modern Bulgaria). The fortress city of Singidunum (Belgrade) is plundered by the Avars, and abandoned after the approach of the Byzantines. The Avars retreat and launch a raid against Dalmatia.source

Religion & Belief

  • June – Pope Gregory I the Great sends a group of Benedictine monks under Augustine of Canterbury on a mission to Britain, to Christianize King Æthelberht, and convert the Kingdom of Kent from native Anglo-Saxon paganism. He carries letters of commendation to bishops, and is accompanied by Frankish interpreters.source
  • Muhammad, Islamic prophet, meets and marries Khadija. She is a 40-year-old widow and 15 years older than he. Supported by Khadija's wealth, they form a successful merchant partnership.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • Construction begins on the Zhaozhou Bridge ("Safe crossing bridge") in Hebei Province, during the Sui dynasty (China).source

Crime & Justice

  • After the death of Euin, Gaidoald becomes the Duke of Trent (Northern Italy).source

Culture & Society

  • Supratisthitavarman succeeds his father Susthitavarman, as king of the Varman dynasty in Assam (Northeast India).source

Births

  • Zaynab bint Khuzayma, wife of Muhammad (died 627)source
  • Talhah, disciple and companion of Muhammad (approximate date)source
  • Asmā' bint Abu Bakr, female disciple (Sahaba) of Muhammad (died 695)source
  • Kim Yu-shin, general of Silla (Korea) (died 673)source
  • Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, companion of Muhammad (died 674)source
  • Cen Wenben, chancellor and editor of the Book of Zhou (died 645)source

Deaths

  • September 2 – John IV ("the Faster"), patriarch of Constantinople, dies after a 13-year reign in which he has mediated disputes between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Monophysites.source
  • September 2 – John IV, patriarch of Constantinoplesource
  • October – King Childebert II dies; his mother Brunhilda attempts to rule Austrasia and Burgundy, as regent for her grandsons. He is succeeded by his two young sons, Theudebert II and Theuderic II.source
  • Owain mab Urien, king of Rheged (approximate date)source
  • Childebert II, king of Austrasia (born 570)source
  • Berach, Irish bishop and saintsource
  • Yuchi Chifan, empress of Northern Zhou (born 566)source
  • Gartnait II, king of the Pictssource
  • King Dynod Bwr of the Pennines (Northern England) dies fighting off a Bernician invasion. His kingdom Hen Ogledd ("The Old North") is overrun, and his family flees to Powys (approximate date).source
  • Euin, Lombard duke of Trent (Italy)source
  • Dynod Bwr, king of Hen Ogledd (approximate date)source