Directory

593 CE

Empress Suiko begins a long reign during a pivotal period, in which Buddhism influences the development and culture of Japan. She is the first female ruler and the first to receive official recognition from China. Autumn – Emperor Maurice orders Priscus to spend the winter with his troops on the northern Danube bank, but he disobeys the emperor's order and retreats to the port city of Odessus (Varna) on the Black Sea Coast. Spring – Priscus, commander-in-chief in Thrace, defeats the Slavic tribes and Gepids on Byzantine territory south of the Danube. He crosses the river to fight in the uncharted swamps and forests of modern-day Wallachia.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Pybba succeeds his father Creoda as king of Mercia (approximate date).source
  • Æthelfrith of Northumbria succeeds Hussa as king of Bernicia (Scotland). His accession possibly involves dynastic rivalry and the exile of Hussa's relatives.source
  • Suiko appoints her 21-year-old nephew Shōtoku as regent, with strongman Umako Soga. He holds shared power for nearly 30 years, creating the nation's first constitution (Seventeen-article constitution).source

Conflict & Security

  • The Persian usurper Hormizd V (who rises temporarily to power) is defeated by King Khosrau II.source
  • Autumn – Emperor Maurice orders Priscus to spend the winter with his troops on the northern Danube bank, but he disobeys the emperor's order and retreats to the port city of Odessus (Varna) on the Black Sea Coast.source
  • Spring – Priscus, commander-in-chief in Thrace, defeats the Slavic tribes and Gepids on Byzantine territory south of the Danube. He crosses the river to fight in the uncharted swamps and forests of modern-day Wallachia.source

Religion & Belief

  • The Shitennō-ji monastery is founded at Osaka (Japan) by Shōtoku.source

Culture & Society

  • Empress Suiko begins a long reign during a pivotal period, in which Buddhism influences the development and culture of Japan. She is the first female ruler and the first to receive official recognition from China.source
  • The Altar to Amitābha Buddha is made during the Sui dynasty. It is now kept at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.source

Births

  • Jomei, emperor of Japan (d. 641)source
  • Zaynab bint Jahsh, wife of Muhammad (d. 641)source

Deaths

  • Eberigisil, bishop of Cologne (approximate date)source
  • Paul, father of Maurice (approximate date)source
  • Hussa, king of Bernicia (approximate date)source
  • Ino Anastasia, Byzantine empress consortsource
  • Ceawlin, king of Wessex (approximate date)source
  • Anastasius I is restored as patriarch of Antioch, after Gregory dies.source
  • Gregory, patriarch of Antioch (approximate date)source
  • Creoda, king of Mercia (approximate date)source