538

538 (DXXXVIII) was a common year beginning on a Friday of the Julian calendar, in force on that date.

In the Roman Empire, the year was named as that of the consulship of John of Cappadocia without a colleague, or less commonly, as 1291 Ab urbe condita .

Events

• Buddhism is formally introduced in Japan (according to some in 552).
• Decretal of Pope Vigil to Braga Profuturo.
• Year of papacy establishment.

Births

• Bidatsu, emperor of Japan.
• Gregory of Tours, bishop and historian.
• Zhiyi, Buddhist monk.
• Han Zigao, Chinese general.

Deaths

• February 8: Severino of Antioch, Patriarch of Antioch.