6th century

The century VI d. C. (sixth century AD) or VI century and. c. (sixth century of the Common Era) began on January 1, 501 and ended on December 31, 600. A few years after the end of the classical era (collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the year 476) and the beginning of the medieval period. It is called the «Century of Byzantium».

Global map (except America) around the year 500.

Global map (except America) around 600.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire at the end of the previous century, Europe fractured into many small Germanic kingdoms, which constantly competed for land and resources. Eventually the Franks became dominant, expanding out into a major domain that encompassed much of France and Germany.

Mosaic of Jesus.

Meanwhile, the surviving Eastern Roman Empire began to expand under Emperor Justinian I, who eventually recaptured North Africa from the Vandals, and sought to fully recapture Italy as well in hopes of reestablishing Roman control over the lands once ruled by the Western Roman Empire. After Justinian I's death, most of his achievements disappeared. The Sasanian Empire reached a peak of greatness with Chosroes I in the 6th century.

Relevant events

Wars and Politics

• 527: Justinian I happens to Justin I as emperor of the Byzantine Empire.
• 532 produced Niká In the hippodrome of Constantinople, the revolt is suffocated by the generals Belisario and Mundus who end with 30,000 deceased.
• 533: The Byzantine General Belisario defeats the Vandal King Gelimer in the battle of Ad Decimum, this is the beginning of the disappearance of the Vandal Kingdom
• 537: There is the battle of Camlann, the final battle of the legendary King Arthur.
• 554: The Byzantine Empire is annexed to the Ostrogod Kingdom thanks mainly to the campaigns of General Belisario, the conquest by General Narsés is finished.
• 565: Justinian I and Belisario die that same year, the main architects of the expansion of the Byzantine Empire.
• 568: Lombards invade Italy.
• 570: A prophet of Islam is born Muhammad.
• 585: The Swedish Kingdom is conquered by the Visigoths.
• 589: China meets under the Sui dynasty.

Disasters

• Black plagues Asia.
• 530-560: In South America, there is one of the strongest events of the Fenomeno del Niño, which produced torrential rains followed by thirty years of drought, causing the fall of the oracles led by priests-warriors, causing the abandonment of the cultural patterns of the Early Intermediate, especially those of (Moche, Nazca, Lima) promoting the subsequent emergence of Huari.
• 541-542: The black plague scourge Constantinople and almost the entire Byzantine Empire.

Religion

• 552: Buddhism is introduced in Japan during the Asuka period.
• 553: The Emperor Justinian I convenes the Second Council of Constantinople, to treat monophysiism and Nestorianism.
• 587: Recaredo I, king of the Visigoths, becomes Catholicism, being the first Visigoth Catholic king.
• 589: King Recaredo I summons the Third Council of Toledo, where the official religion of the Visigoths becomes the Catholicism to replace the Arrianism.

Culture and science

• Zen Buddhism penetrates into Vietnam and through China.
• 529: Benito de Nursia founded the Abbey of Monte Cassino in Italy.
• 529: Emperor Justinian I closes the Academy of Athens, founded by Plato in 362 a. C.

Relevant people

General Belisario greatly expanded the borders of the Byzantine Empire.

• Augustine de Canterbury (534-604): holy and commonly referred to as «The Apostle of England».
• Aryabhata (476-550): Hindu mathematician and astronomer.
• Belisario (505-565): Byzantine military, famous for its conquests that expanded the Byzantine Empire.
• Benito de Nursia (480-547): holy and founder of the order of Benedictines.
• Boecio (480-524/525): Roman philosopher.
• Casiodoro (485-580): politician and writer of Latin origin.
• Clodoveo I (466-511): King of the Franks.
• Cosroes I († 579): Sassanian emperor.
• Gregory of Tours (538-594): Bishop of Tours and historian of frank origin.
• Gregory the Great (540-604): Holy and Pope of the Catholic Church.
• Hermenegildo (564-585): holy, son of the Visigoth king Leovigildo.
• Jordanes: Byzantine historian.
• John of Ephesus (507-586): leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Byzantine historian.
• Justinian I (483-565): Byzantine emperor, known by his companies that expanded the borders of the empire.
• Leandro de Sevilla (534-596): Catholic clergy, famous for converting Catholicism to the Visigoths.
• Muhammad (560/561-631): prophet of Islam.
• Narsés (478-543): Byzantine military and chambelan of Emperor Justinian I, known to end the Ostrogod Kingdom.
• Proceeding of Cesarea (500-565): Byzantine historian.
• Recaredo I (559-601): King of the Visigoths, first Christian Visigoth King.
• Reims Remigio (437-533): holy, Bishop of Reims, baptized King Clodoveo I.
• Taliesin (534-599): Welsh poet.
• Theodora (501-548): Consort Empress of the Byzantine Empire and wife of Justinian I.
• Venancio Fortunato (536-610): saint, bishop of Poitiers and writer.
• Yang Jian (541-604): Chinese emperor, founder of the Sui dynasty.