Directory

530 CE

Pope Felix IV dies at Rome after a tenure of four years, two months and 13 days, in which he has condemned semi-pelagianism. He is succeeded by Boniface II, who becomes the 55th pope. Emperor Justinian I selects a second commission to excerpt and codify the writings of the jurists on Roman law. This becomes the Digest (Pandects). Spring – Battle of Dara: Belisarius and Hermogenes (magister officiorum) defeat a combined Persian-Arab army of 50,000 men at Dara (modern Turkey), by entrenching his infantry in a refused position in the centre line, then carrying out a cavalry envelopment to culminate a classic defensive-offensive battleplan.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Justinian 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
  • King 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

Conflict & Security

  • Summer – Battle of Satala: A Byzantine cavalry force (30,000 men) under command of Sittas defeats a major Persian invasion into Roman Armenia.source
  • Spring – Battle of Dara: Belisarius and Hermogenes (magister officiorum) defeat a combined Persian-Arab army of 50,000 men at Dara (modern Turkey), by entrenching his infantry in a refused position in the centre line, then carrying out a cavalry envelopment to culminate a classic defensive-offensive battleplan.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Brendan, Irish abbot, allegedly climbs to the top of Mount Brandon to look for the Americas (approximate date).source

Religion & Belief

  • December 15 – Emperor Justinian I selects a second commission to excerpt and codify the writings of the jurists on Roman law. This becomes the Digest (Pandects).source
  • The Vishnu Temple at Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh (India) is built.source
  • Xiao Tong, eldest son of emperor Wu Di, compiles the Wen Xuan (Literary Selections), a famous anthology of works dating from the Han to the Liang dynasty (approximate date).source
  • Tribonian becomes quaestor sacri palatii and chief editor of the compilation of the old Roman lawyers' writings.source

Crime & Justice

  • Emperor Xiao Zhuang Di is arrested and imprisoned in a Buddhist temple at Jinyang (Shanxi). He is succeeded by Chang Guang Wang, who becomes the new ruler of Northern Wei.source

Culture & Society

  • The mosaic synagogue floor from Maon (Judea) is made. It is now kept at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem (approximate date).source

Births

  • Dallán Forgaill, Irish poet (approximate date)source
  • Colmán of Cloyne, Irish monk (d. 606)source
  • Xuan Di, emperor of the Chen dynasty (d. 582)source
  • Sophia, Byzantine Empress (approximate date)source
  • Venantius Fortunatus, Latin poet and bishop (approximate date) (d. 600)source

Deaths

  • September 22 – Pope Felix IV dies at Rome after a tenure of four years, two months and 13 days, in which he has condemned semi-pelagianism. He is succeeded by Boniface II, who becomes the 55th pope.source
  • October 14 – Dioscorus is elected as antipope in the Lateran Palace, but he dies within a month, thus ending the schism.source
  • Cador, king of Dumnonia (England)source
  • Drest III, king of the Picts (approximate date)source
  • Xiao Baoyin, prince of Southern Qi (b. 487)source
  • Dhu Nuwas, king of Himyar (b. circa 450)source
  • Erzhu Rong, general of Northern Wei (b. 493)source