The world in 531 AD — what happened that year

21 events the sources record for this year, grouped by region.

What happened

China (16)

• When Gao Huan stationed his army at Xindu, Gao Qian and Feng Longzhi opened the city gates to receive him and took Jizhou. (Book of Northern Qi (Bei Qishu), Annals 北齊書 卷1)
• On the day gengzi of the 6th month, raised the banner against the Erzhu at Xindu (Jianyi). (Book of Northern Qi (Bei Qishu), Annals 北齊書 卷1)
• Gao Huan, Prince of Bohai, raised troops at Xindu, vowing to attack the Erzhu clan. (History of the Northern Dynasties (Beishi), Annals 北史 卷5 普泰元年)
• When Gao Huan's army reached Xindu, Gao Gan and Feng Longzhi opened the gates to receive him, and he took control of Jizhou. (History of the Northern Dynasties (Beishi), Annals 北史 卷6 普泰元年)
• Crown Prince Xiao Tong died. (Book of Liang (Liangshu), Annals 卷3 中大通三年 四月)
• At Dongtai Temple the emperor ascended the Dharma seat and lectured on the Mahaparinirvana Sutra. (Book of Liang (Liangshu), Annals 卷3 中大通三年 十月)
• After Crown Prince Zhaoming Tong died in the fourth month, Prince Jin'an Gang was made crown prince. (History of the Southern Dynasties (Nanshi), Annals 南史 卷7 中大通3年)
• The Former Deposed Emperor Yuan Gong received the abdication and ascended the throne in the Taiji Hall at Luoyang. (Book of Wei (Weishu), Imperial Annals 魏書卷11·序)
• Gao Huan raised a righteous army at Xindu to attack the Erzhu clan. (Book of Wei (Weishu), Imperial Annals 魏書卷11·序)
• At Xindu, Gao Huan proclaimed Yuan Lang, governor of Bohai, as emperor (the Later Deposed Emperor). (Book of Wei (Weishu), Imperial Annals 魏書卷11·序)

More on the map (+6)

West Asia (2)

• On Alamundaros's advice, Azaretes crosses the Euphrates and advances; Belisarius pursues him and the battle of Callinicum follows. (Procopius, History of the Wars 1.18.13–1.18.16)
• The Roman peace envoys under Hermogenes fail; Belisarius, stripped of command, is recalled to Byzantium. (Procopius, History of the Wars 1.21.2)

Southern Europe (2)

• In spring Azaretes invades Roman land with 15,000 cavalry, accompanied by the Saracen Alamundaros, this time by a route other than Mesopotamia. (Procopius, History of the Wars 1.17.1)
• Justinian thinks of allying with the Ethiopians (Axum) and the Homeritae (Himyar) to check Persia. (Procopius, History of the Wars 1.19.1)

Western Europe (1)

• Childebert sets out for Hispania for the sake of his sister Clotilde. (Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks Hist. Franc. 3.X)

Same events recorded in this year

• Jiankang (531) — the same event in Book of Liang and History of the Southern Dynasties
• Xindu (531) — the same event in Book of Wei and Zizhi Tongjian
• Luoyang (531) — the same event in Book of Wei and Zizhi Tongjian
• Xindu (531) — the same event in Book of Northern Qi, History of the Northern Dynasties…

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