Geopolitics & Diplomacy in the 6th century

120 sourced entries, 500 CE to 599 CE, oldest first. Also see Geopolitics & Diplomacy across every century or everything else in the 6th century.

• 500The Frankish Kingdom is formed (approximate date).source
• 500Emperor Anastasius I concludes treaties with a number of nomad tribes in northern Arabia. In return for tribute to the Byzantine Empire and military defense of these eastern territories, such tribes are permitted to settle and farm agricultural lands in Arabia (approximate date).source
• 501June 5 – Ahkal Moʼ Nahb I becomes the new ruler of the Mayan city-state of Palenque (in what is now the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico), and reigns until his death in 524.source
• 502March 29 – King Gundobad issues a new legal code (Lex Burgundionum) at Lyon, that makes Gallo-Romans and Burgundians subject to the same laws (approximate date).source
• 504King Theodoric the Great defeats the Gepids, and drives them out of their homeland (Pannonia).source
• 505Anastasius I decides to rebuild the village of Dara (Northern Mesopotamia). He constructs a new strategic fortress to guard the frontier.source
• 509Clovis I (Chlodowech) becomes the first Catholic king of the Franks, uniting all the Frankish tribes under his rule. He controls an immense territory in Gaul (modern France), and delivers a major blow for the Church against the Arian heresy.source
• 510Theodoric the Great appoints his friend Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius, Roman philosopher, to the rank of consul of the Ostrogothic Kingdom.source
• 510The Sasanian Persians conquer the independent kingdom of Caucasian Albania, a state converted to Christianity in the 4th century by Armenian missionaries (approximate date).source
• 511Ostrogothic King Theodoric the Great assumes the regency over Amalaric, his grandson and future king of the Visigothic Kingdom - Theodoric now rules over territory stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Adriatic Sea.source
• 512Emperor Anastasius I ends a period of moderate eclectic policy, and starts strongly favoring his own monophysitist beliefs.source
• 512The Ostrogoths conquer the Frankish province Rouergue (Southern Gaul).source
• 513King Kavadh I adopts the doctrine of the Mazdakites, and breaks the influence of the magnates' (nobility).source
• 513The Jewish community revolts at Ctesiphon against Mazdakism, and establishes an independent Jewish kingdom that lasts for seven years.source
• 513Anastasius I sends an embassy under the former consul Patricius to start negotiations. Vitalian declares his aims: restoration of Chalcedonian Orthodoxy and the settling of the Thracian foederati.source
• 519Anjang becomes ruler of the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo.source
• 519Cerdic becomes the first king of the Kingdom of Wessex.source
• 520The Kingdom of East Anglia is formed, by the merging of the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, and perhaps the eastern part of The Fens (approximate date).source
• 520King Pabo Post Prydain of the Pennines (Northern England) abdicates his throne, and divides the kingdom between his two sons. He retires, as a hermit, to Anglesey.source
• 522Amalaric, age 20, is proclaimed king of the Visigoths. His kingdom is threatened from the north by the Burgundians.source
• 523Hilderic succeeds his uncle Thrasamund after a 27-year reign, and becomes king of the Vandals and Alans. He favours Catholicism and grants the inhabitants religious freedom.source
• 525Emperor Justin I rebuilds the city of Anazarbus (modern Turkey) and renames it "Justinopolis".source
• 526Amalaric, age 24, becomes king of the Visigoths, and assumes full royal power.source
• 526Amalasuintha rules the Ostrogothic Kingdom that extends throughout the Italian Peninsula, Dalmatia, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica.source
• 529February 25 – Kʼan Joy Chitam I becomes the new ruler of the Mayan city-state of Palenque what is now the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico, ending an interregnum of a little over four years, and reigns until his death in 565.source
• 529Rudravarman is granted investiture by China, as the first king of the fourth dynasty of Champa (modern Vietnam).source
• 530Justinian I sends an embassy to Carthage to negotiate with Gelimer. Gelimer replies: “Nothing is more desirable than that a monarch should mind his own business.”source
• 530King Hilderic is deposed by his cousin Gelimer after a seven-year reign. Gelimer restores Arianism as the official religion of the Vandal Kingdom and puts Hilderic in prison along with other supporters.source
• 531Anwon becomes ruler of the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo.source
• 531Theudis, sword-bearer of former king Theodoric the Great, succeeds Amalaric as new ruler of the Visigoths.source
• 532September – Justinian I signs a peace treaty, the "Eternal Peace", with the Persian king Khosrau I, ending the Iberian War (527-531). Both sides agree to return all occupied territories, and Justinian makes a one-off payment of 110 centenaria (11,000 pounds of gold), as a contribution to the defense of the Caucasus passes.source
• 533Theudebert I succeeds his father Theuderic I and becomes king of Austrasia.source
• 534April – Belisarius leaves a small force in Africa under the Byzantine general Solomon, to continue the subjugation of the province. He is appointed governor (Exarch) and pacifies the Moorish tribes with success. Malta becomes a Byzantine province (until 870).source
• 534Toledo becomes the capital of the Visigothic Kingdom that controls the Iberian Peninsula. King Theudis expands Visigoth rule in the southern regions (Hispania Baetica).source
• 534Cynric becomes king of Wessex.source
• 535April – Justinian I reorganises the province as an African prefecture, centered in Carthage. He restores frontier defences, and returns property to the Catholic Church.source
• 535Justinian I issues the Lex Julia and declares that a wife has no right to bring criminal charges of adultery against a husband. This makes divorce almost impossible in the Byzantine Empire.source
• 536January 26 – Senka succeeds his brother Ankan as the 28th emperor of Japan.source
• 536Summer – Constantinianus, magister militum per Illyricum, retakes Dalmatia. The Goths abandon Salona and withdraw to the north. The Byzantines rebuild its walls and reclaim the province.source
• 538Gabrán mac Domangairt becomes king of Dál Riata (Scotland).source
• 538The Kofun period ends and the Asuka period, the second part of the Yamato period in Japan, begins.source
• 539Kinmei succeeds his brother Senka, and ascends as 29th emperor to the throne of Japan.source
• 540King Custennin ap Cado is deposed, and returns to Dumnonia in the south-west of Great Britain.source
• 540Solomon captures the Aurès Mountains from the Moors and extends Byzantine authority over Numidia and Mauretania Sitifensis. The city of Theveste (Algeria) is restored and fortified.source
• 541The Uyghurs come under the rule of the Hephthalites (approximate date).source
• 544February – Lý Bí is declared emperor and establishes the empire Van Xuân (modern Vietnam). His armies repel attacks from the kingdom of Champa.source
• 545Yangwon becomes ruler of the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo.source
• 547King Ida establishes the kingdom of Bernicia. He builds Bamburgh Castle (northeast England) as a fortress that will become the seat of Anglo-Saxon kings (according to the Historia Brittonum).source
• 547Theudebald, age 13, succeeds his father Theudebert I after a reign of 14 years, and becomes king of Austrasia (or 548).source
• 550Wen Xuan Di adopts a defensive policy towards the hostile northern tribes; he builds over 1,000 miles of walls on the border.source
• 550The Vendel era begins; the name is given to a region in Uppland (an important area of the sagas' account of a Swedish kingdom).source
• 551Bumin Qaghan, chieftain of the Göktürks, founds the Turkic Khaganate. He unites the local Turkic tribes and throws off the yoke of Rouran domination.source
• 552July 11 – The Armenian calendar is introduced.source
• 553In the Turkic Khaganate Istemi is appointed governor (yabgu) in the west of the empire (modern Turkestan), and Muqan Qaghan succeeds his brother Issik Qaghan as emperor (khagan) of the Göktürks.source
• 553The Ostrogothic Kingdom ends after 60 years of rule in Italy. The Goths are allowed to return to their homes in peace and (re)settle in modern-day Austria. Some 7,000 people retreat to Campsas (Southern Gaul), and resist with minimal help from the Franks against the Byzantines until 554.source
• 554Athanagild is crowned as king of the Visigoths and succeeds Agila I. He acknowledges the suzerainty of the Byzantine Empire.source
• 555Chinese Liang dynasty: Jing Di, age 12, succeeds his father Yuan Di and is declared emperor by general Chen Baxian.source
• 555By 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
• 556King Khosrau I opens negotiations with Justinian I, leading to the establishment of a 50 year peace agreement in 562.source
• 558Istämi, ruler of the Western Turkic Khaganate, establishes diplomatic relations with the Byzantine Empire.source
• 558Conall mac Comgaill becomes king of Dál Riata, a Gaelic overkingdom on the western coast of Scotland.source
• 559Glappa succeeds his father Ida as king of Bernicia (North East England). During his rule, Anglian settlers expand their territory in what is now southeastern Scotland.source
• 559Pyeongwon becomes ruler of the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo.source
• 560Ælla becomes king of Deira (this according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).source
• 560Custennin ap Cado abdicates as king of Dumnonia (South West England).source
• 562Emperor Justinian I signs a peace treaty with the Sasanid Empire. The status quo ante is restored, with Lazica (modern Georgia) in Byzantine hands.source
• 562End of the Lazic War: In the Fifty-Year Peace Treaty, King Khosrau I recognises Lazica as a Byzantine vassal state for an annual payment of 5,000 pounds of gold each year.source
• 562The secondary capital Taiyuan in Northern Qi is rebuilt and becomes a center of Buddhism.source
• 565Agathias begins to write a history, beginning where Procopius finished his work.source
• 565Gao Wei succeeds his father Wu Cheng Di as ruler of the Chinese Northern Qi Dynasty. Wu Cheng Di becomes a regent and Grand Emperor.source
• 566Kirtivarman I succeeds his father Pulakeshin I as king of the Chalukya dynasty (India). During his rule he completes the subjugation of the Kadambas and annexes the port of Goa.source
• 566Ainmuire mac Sétnai becomes High King of Ireland, and rules from 566–569 (this according to the Book of Leinster).source
• 567Liuva I succeeds his predecessor Athanagild, after an interregnum of five months, and becomes king of the Visigoths.source
• 568Emperor Justin II and his wife Sophia send the Cross of Justin II ("Vatican Cross") to Rome, to improve the relations with the Byzantine Empire.source
• 568Mummolus, Gallo-Roman prefect, defeats the Lombards at Embrun and expels them from Provence (Southern Gaul).source
• 568Liuvigild is declared co-king and heir after the second year of the reign of his brother Liuva I. He becomes ruler over the Visigoths in Hispania Citerior (Eastern Spain).source
• 569The Garamantian Kingdom (modern Libya) signs a peace treaty with the Byzantine Empire. The capital city of Garama is converted to Christianity.source
• 570Leutfred becomes duke of Alemannia (modern Germany).source
• 570Spoleto becomes the capital of an independent duchy, under the Lombard chieftain Faroald (approximate date).source
• 571Benevento becomes the capital of an independent duchy, under the Lombard chieftain Zotto (approximate date).source
• 572Theodric succeeds his brother Æthelric as king of Bernicia (southeastern Scotland). He rules until 579.source
• 573King Cleph completes the Lombard conquest of Tuscany (Central Italy) and extends his dominion to the gates of Ravenna.source
• 574December 7 – Emperor Justin II retires due to recurring seizures of insanity; he abdicates the throne in favour of his general Tiberius. Justin proclaims him Caesar and adopts him as his own son.source
• 574Áedán mac Gabráin becomes king of Dál Riata (Scotland) (approximate Date).source
• 575Childebert II succeeds his father Sigibert I as king of Austrasia. His mother Brunhilda becomes regent and seeks protection from Guntram, king of Burgundy. He adopts Childebert as his own son and heir. A group of Frankish aristocrats rule Austrasia.source
• 575The Convention of Druim Cett: Irish kings discuss the relationship between them and King Áedán mac Gabráin of Dál Riata. The Irish colony (now western Scotland) is confirmed, and rights to tax and levy are agreed to between the rulers.source
• 575The Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia is divided into the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, and perhaps the eastern part of the Cambridgeshire Fens (approximate date).source
• 575Tardu succeeds his father Istämi, as governor (yabgu) of the Western Turkic Khaganate (Central Asia).source
• 578November 15 – K'ak' Chan Yopaat, becomes the new ruler of the Mayan city state of Copán in Honduras, and rules until his death 49 years later in 628.source
• 579September 2 – Uneh Chan becomes the ruler of the Mayan city state of Calakmul in southern Mexico and reigns until 611.source
• 579Hermenegild, son of Visigothic king Liuvigild, marries Ingund. He rebels against his father, starting in Seville (Southern Spain), and declares himself Catholic.source
• 579Frithuwald succeeds his brother Theodoric as king of Bernicia (Scotland). He rules from 579–585 (approximate date).source
• 579Emperor Xuan Di abdicates the throne to his son Jing Di, age 6, and rules as regent the Northern Zhou dynasty.source
• 580Æthelberht succeeds his father Eormenric as king (bretwalda) of Kent (approximate date).source
• 581Ishbara Qaghan, grandson of Bumin Qaghan, becomes the new ruler (khagan) of the Turkic Khaganate (Central Asia).source
• 581The Anglo-Saxons under Ælla conquer Deira (Northern England) from the Britons. He becomes the first king of Deira (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).source
• 581In the Turkic Empire an interregnum begins, since there are several candidates to the throne: Talopien (late khagan's candidate), Ishbara (Kurultai's choice) and Tardu (western yabghu).source
• 582Gundoald, illegitimate son of Clotaire I, arrives with the financial support of Constantinople in southern Gaul. He claims as usurper king the cities Poitiers and Toulouse, part of the Frankish Kingdom (approximate date).source
• 584Gundoald, illegitimate son of Chlothar I, tries to expend his territory from Brive-la-Gaillarde (Burgundy) and proclaims himself king (approximate date).source
• 585Creoda becomes king of Mercia (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).source
• 587November 28 – Treaty of Andelot: Guntram recognizes King Childebert II of Austrasia as heir. He signs a treaty with Queen Brunhilda at Andelot-Blancheville.source
• 587Winter – Childebert II appoints Uncelen as the Duke of Alemannia (approximate date).source
• 587Emperor Maurice builds more fortifications along the Danube frontier, separating the Byzantine Empire from the realm of the Avars and Slavs (approximate date).source
• 588Æthelric succeeds his father Ælla as king of Deira in Northern England.source
• 588Summer – Guaram I of Iberia, Georgian prince in exile, is sent by Emperor Maurice to the city of Mtskheta (Georgia). He restores the monarchy and is bestowed with the Byzantine court title of curopalates.source
• 590Maurice establishes the Exarchate of Carthage in Africa. He combines the civil authority of a praetorian prefect and the military authority, based at Carthage.source
• 590Kadungon becomes king of the Pandyan Kingdom in South India (approximate date).source
• 590Stephen I succeeds his father Guaram I as king of Iberia (Georgia) (approximate date).source
• 590Yeongyang becomes ruler of the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo.source
• 590Æthelberht succeeds his father Eormenric as king (bretwalda) of Kent (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).source
• 591Khosrau II is reinstalled as king of the Persian Empire. Peace with Constantinople is concluded after a war of almost 20 years. Maurice receives the Persian provinces of Armenia and Georgia. The recognition of the traditional frontiers, and the cessation of subsidies for the Caucasus forts, leaves the Byzantines in a dominant position in their relations with Persia.source
• 593Pybba succeeds his father Creoda as king of Mercia (approximate date).source
• 593Æthelfrith of Northumbria succeeds Hussa as king of Bernicia (Scotland). His accession possibly involves dynastic rivalry and the exile of Hussa's relatives.source
• 593Suiko appoints her 21-year-old nephew Shōtoku as regent, with strongman Umako Soga. He holds shared power for nearly 30 years, creating the nation's first constitution (Seventeen-article constitution).source
• 594Empress Suiko issues the "Flourishing Three Treasures Edict", officially recognizing the practice of Buddhism in Japan. She begins diplomatic relations with the Sui dynasty (China).source
• 595Muhammad, 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
• 596Emperor Wéndi sends diplomatic letters to the royal court of Goguryeo (Korea). He demands the cancellation of the military alliance with the Eastern Turk Khanate, and the raiding of Sui border regions.source
• 597Chlothar II, age 13, becomes sole ruler of Neustria, and continues his mother's feud with Brunhilda. He is advised to prepare for war against Austrasia, the eastern part of the Frankish Kingdom.source
• 599Tardu declares himself to be ruler (khagan) of the united Turkic Khaganate (east and west). His new status is not recognised widely in the empire.source
• 599Rædwald becomes king (bretwalda) of East Anglia (East of England), under the overlordship of Æthelberht of Kent (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).source