Directory

538 CE

Siege of Rome: King Vitiges of the Ostrogoths ends his siege (after 374 days) and abandons Rome. He retreats with his Gothic army northeast along the Via Flaminia. King Seong of Paekche (Korea) moves the capital from Ungjin (present-day Gongju) further south to Sabi (present-day Buyeo County), on the Geum River. He sends a diplomatic mission that formally introduces Buddhism to the Japanese imperial court (see also 552). The Kofun period ends and the Asuka period, the second part of the Yamato period in Japan, begins.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Gabrán mac Domangairt becomes king of Dál Riata (Scotland).source
  • The Kofun period ends and the Asuka period, the second part of the Yamato period in Japan, begins.source

Conflict & Security

  • March 12 – Siege of Rome: King Vitiges of the Ostrogoths ends his siege (after 374 days) and abandons Rome. He retreats with his Gothic army northeast along the Via Flaminia.source
  • April – Belisarius secures Liguria, Mediolanum (modern Milan) and Ariminum, but disagreements, especially with Narses, leads to disunity in the Byzantine army.source
  • Gothic War: Vitiges strengthens the garrisons of various towns and besieges Ariminum. Byzantine forces under the Armenian general Narses arrive at Picenum.source
  • Summer – King Theudebert I sends a small Frankish force across the Alps, and defeats the Goths and Byzantines at the River Po. Belisarius retreats to Tuscany.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • King Seong of Paekche (Korea) moves the capital from Ungjin (present-day Gongju) further south to Sabi (present-day Buyeo County), on the Geum River. He sends a diplomatic mission that formally introduces Buddhism to the Japanese imperial court (see also 552).source

Religion & Belief

  • The Third Council of Orléans takes place, and prohibits rural labor on Sunday.source
  • As a result of persecutions by the Byzantine Empire, Monophysite Christians establish the Coptic Church in Alexandria (approximate date).source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • Belisarius attacks the Goths when they have crossed the Milvian Bridge. After fierce resistance, Vitiges routs in panic, and many are slain or drowned in the river.source

Health & Medicine

  • King Cuneglas of Rhos abandons his wife in favour of his sister-in-law, a nun who he drags from her convent (approximate date).source

Crime & Justice

  • Sittas, Byzantine general, suppresses a revolt in Armenia in protest against heavy taxation. During the campaign he is killed by Artabanes, leader of the revolt.source

Births

  • Zhiyi, de facto founder of Tiantai Buddhism (d. 597)source
  • Emperor Bidatsu of Japan (d. 585)source
  • Gregory of Tours, French bishop, historian (d. 594)source

Deaths

  • February 8 – Severus of Antioch, patriarch of Antiochsource
  • Cailtram, king of the Picts (approximate date)source
  • Damascius, Byzantine philosophersource
  • Comgall mac Domangairt, king of Dál Riata (approximate date)source
  • Sittas, Byzantine general (magister militum)source