Directory

558 CE

In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses due to an earthquake. Emperor Justinian I orders the dome to be rebuilt. The Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is dedicated by Germain, bishop of Paris. The Avars and the Slavs occupy the Hungarian Plain on the Balkans. The threat of Avar domination prompts the Lombards to migrate to Italy.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Istämi, ruler of the Western Turkic Khaganate, establishes diplomatic relations with the Byzantine Empire.source
  • Conall mac Comgaill becomes king of Dál Riata, a Gaelic overkingdom on the western coast of Scotland.source

Religion & Belief

  • December 23 – The Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is dedicated by Germain, bishop of Paris.source
  • December 23 - Chlothar I is crowned King of the Franks.source
  • The Bangor Abbey is founded by the Irish abbot Comgall in Northern Ireland (approximate date).source

Health & Medicine

  • The Avars and the Slavs occupy the Hungarian Plain on the Balkans. The threat of Avar domination prompts the Lombards to migrate to Italy.source

Climate & Environment

  • May 7 – In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses due to an earthquake. Emperor Justinian I orders the dome to be rebuilt.source

Births

  • Gao Yan, prince of Northern Qi (d. 571)source
  • Yu Shinan, calligrapher and official (d. 638)source

Deaths

  • May 1 – Marcouf, missionary and saintsource
  • May 13 – John the Silent, bishop and saintsource
  • May 15 – Hilary of Galeata, Christian monksource
  • December 13 – King Chlothar I reunites the Frankish Kingdom after his brother Childebert I dies, becoming sole ruler of the Franks.source
  • December 13 – Childebert I, king of the Frankssource
  • Abraham of Kratia, Christian monk (approximate date)source
  • Empress Dugu, Northern Zhou consortsource
  • Jing Di, emperor of the Liang Dynasty (b. 543)source
  • Gabrán mac Domangairt, king of Dál Riatasource