The world at the beginning of the 6th century AD.
6th century is the period from 501 to 600 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Common Era. In the West this century marks the end of Classical Antiquity and the beginning of the Middle Ages.
Overview [ edit ]
Following the collapse of the
Western Roman Empire late in the previous century, Europe fractured into many small Germanic Kingdoms, which competed fiercely for land and wealth. From this upheaval the Franks rose to prominence, and carved out a sizeable domain encompassing much of modern France and Germany. Meanwhile, the surviving Eastern Roman Empire began to expand under the emperor Justinian, who eventually recaptured North Africa from the Vandals, and attempted to fully recover Italy as well in the hope of re-establishing Roman control over the lands once ruled by the Western Roman Empire. Following Justinian's death, most of his gains were lost.
During its second Golden Age, the
Sassanid Empire reached the peak of its power under Khosrau I in the 6th century. The classical [1 ] Gupta Empire of Northern India, largely overrun by the Huna, ended in the mid-6th century. In Japan, the Kofun period gave way to the Asuka period. After being divided for more than 150 years into the Southern and Northern Dynasties, China was reunited under the Sui Dynasty toward the end of the 6th century. The Three Kingdoms of Korea persisted throughout the 6th century. The Göktürks became a major power in Central Asia after defeating the Rouran.
Americas, Teotihuacan began to decline in the 6th century after having reached its zenith between AD 150 and 450. Classic Period of the Maya civilization in Central America.
Early 6th century – Archangel Michael, panel of a dyptich probably from the court workshop at
Constantinople, is made. It is now kept at The British Museum, London. Early 6th century – Page with Rebecca at the Well, from "
Book of Genesis", probably made in Syria or Palestine, is made. It is now kept at Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna. By 6th century –
is written. Shilpa Shastras Early 6th century – first academy of the east the Academy of
Gundeshapur founded in Iran by Khosrau I of Persia. Early 6th century –
Irish colonists and invaders, the Scots, began migrating to Caledonia (later known as Scotland). Migration from south-west Britain to Brittany. Early 6th century –
Glendalough monastery, Wicklow Ireland founded on St. Kevin. Many similar foundations in Ireland and Wales. Early 6th century –
Zen Buddhism enters Vietnam from China. Early 6th century –
Haniwa, from Kyoto, is made during the Kofun period Early 6th century –
Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe's apse's mosaic is completed. Early 6th century -
Cassiodorus founds a cenobitic monastery and scrinium at Vivarium in Italy
502: Chinese annals mentioned the existence of the Buddhist Kingdom, Kanto Lim in South Sumatra, presumably in the neighborhood of present-day Palembang.
518: Eastern Roman Emperor Anastasius I dies and is succeeded by Justin I.
Mohammed receiving revelation from the angel Gabriel
Significant people [ edit ]
Aryabhata, Discoverer of Zero and First to propose Heliocentre Model of solar system
Augustine of Canterbury, Roman monk, missionary, and bishop
B'alam Nehn was the 7th Ajaw of Copan (504–544)
Belisarius, Byzantine general
Benedict of Nursia, (480–547), Umbrian founder of Western Monasticism
Beowulf, legendary king of the Geats
Boethius, (c.480-525), Roman philosopher and theologian
Bozorgmehr, Persian sage
Cassiodorus, (c.485-c.585), Roman senator and scholar
Clovis I, (c. 466–511), first sole King of the Franks
Columbanus, (540–615), Irish monk and missionary
Dayi Daoxin, (580-651), fourth Chán Buddhist Patriarch
Dazu Huike, (487-593), second Chán Buddhist Patriarch
Gregory the Great, (c. 540- 604), theologian, sixty-fourth pope (590-604), and civil administrator of Rome
Gregory of Tours (c. 538–594), Frankish bishop and historian
Hrodgar, legendary Danish king depicted in Beowulf
Jianzhi Sengcan, (d. 606), third Chán Buddhist Patriarch
Jizang, (549–623), Buddhist 