The world in 541 AD — what happened that year

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

What happened

In the year the people turned away from the harsh rule of Xiao Zi, governor of Jiaozhou, Li Fu rose up. (Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư 外紀卷之四「辛酉元年〔梁大同七年〕，交州刺史」)
Li Bi, a native of Jiaozhou, attacked the prefect Xiao Zi; Xiao Zi offered bribes and returned to Yuezhou. (Book of Liang (Liangshu), Annals 卷3 大同七年末)
Lý Bí of Jiaozhou attacked Governor Xiao Zi. (History of the Southern Dynasties (Nanshi), Annals 南史卷7 大同7年)

At the request of the Lazi, Khosrow sends an army to Colchis (Lazica). (Procopius, History of the Wars 2.15.1)
Khosrow and the Persian army pass through Iberia and cut a road through the forest at the border of Lazica. (Procopius, History of the Wars 2.17.3–2.17.4)
Belisarius advances from Dara toward Nisibis. (Procopius, History of the Wars 2.18.1)

The plague spreads and almost ends mankind; it is described as originating at Pelusium. (Procopius, History of the Wars 2.22.6)

Childebert and Chlothar besiege Zaragoza in Hispania. (Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks Hist. Franc. 3.XXIX)
Belisarius gathers troops in Mesopotamia and sends scouting parties toward the Persian side. (Procopius, History of the Wars 2.16.1)
Belisarius marches a day's distance and attacks the Persian fortress Sisauranon; its garrison has 800 cavalry. (Procopius, History of the Wars 2.19.2–2.19.6)
Eraric, of the Rugian people, held great power among the Goths. (Procopius, History of the Wars 7.2.1)
The Goths made Totila king; after the emperor's rebuke, the commanders gathered at Ravenna and prepared to attack Verona. (Procopius, History of the Wars 7.3.3)