34 events the sources record for this year, grouped by region.
What happened
China (13)
Dou Tai's army was defeated and he killed himself. Gao Huan reached Pujin but could not rescue him because the ice was too thin, and withdrew. (Book of Northern Qi (Bei Qishu), Annals 北齊書 卷2)
Gao Huan crossed the Yellow River at Pujin and campaigned west with 200,000 men; Yuwen Tai camped at Shayuan. Blocked by the terrain, Gao's army withdrew, and the western army advanced beating drums, causing great chaos. 180,000 suits of armor and weapons were abandoned, and Gao Huan returned by camel and boat (Battle of Shayuan). (Book of Northern Qi (Bei Qishu), Annals 北齊書 卷2)
Yuwen Tai secretly leaves Chang'an with 6,000 cavalry, defeats Dou Tai of Eastern Wei at Xiaoguan, captures over 10,000 men and kills Dou Tai (Book of Zhou (Zhoushu), Imperial Annals 周書 卷2 大統3年1月)
Yuwen Tai leads twelve generals east, swears an oath at Tongguan, and in the rain takes Hongnong, beheading Li Huibo and capturing 8,000 (Book of Zhou (Zhoushu), Imperial Annals 周書 卷2 大統3年8月)
Belisarius fortified the Roman defenses and sent Constantine and Bessas to take Tuscia. (Procopius, History of the Wars 5.16.1–5.16.2)
At news of the Gothic general mobilization, Belisarius was troubled; he responded at the Tiber bridge (Milvius). (Procopius, History of the Wars 5.17.11–5.17.14)
The Goths easily broke the tower gate of the bridge and crossed, clashing with Belisarius's cavalry of a thousand. (Procopius, History of the Wars 5.18.1–5.18.2)
The Goths began the siege of Rome, building six palisades; Rome posted guards at each gate. (Procopius, History of the Wars 5.19.1)
On the morning of the eighteenth day of the siege, the Goths attacked the walls with siege towers and rams; Belisarius smiled and reassured his soldiers. (Procopius, History of the Wars 5.22.1–5.22.2)
Belisarius wrote to the emperor that he had secured Rome but his forces were scattered, requesting reinforcements. (Procopius, History of the Wars 5.24.1)