The world in 581 AD — what happened that year

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

What happened

Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou yielded the throne to Yang Jian (Sui); the end of Northern Zhou. (History of the Northern Dynasties (Beishi), Annals 北史卷10 大定元年)
Yuan Xie defeated the Tuyuhun at Qinghai and forced their submission. (History of the Northern Dynasties (Beishi), Annals 北史卷11 開皇元年)
Yang Jian ascended the throne in the Linguang Hall, built an altar in the southern suburbs to report to Heaven, and adopted the era name Kaihuang. The Sui dynasty was founded. (Book of Sui (Suishu), Imperial Annals 隋書卷001 帝紀大定1年2月)
Acting Marshal Yuan Xie defeated the Tuyuhun at Qinghai and forced their surrender. (Book of Sui (Suishu), Imperial Annals 隋書卷001 帝紀開皇1年8月)
Chen general Zhou Luohou took Hushu, and Xiao Mohe attacked the north bank of the Yangtze. (Book of Sui (Suishu), Imperial Annals 隋書卷001 帝紀開皇1年9月)
Yang Jian, Prince of Sui, takes a royal title (founding the Sui); Emperor Jing retreats to a separate palace, ending Northern Zhou at age 33. The Sui enfeoffs Emperor Jing as Duke of Jie (Book of Zhou (Zhoushu), Imperial Annals 周書卷8 大定1年2月)

Leovigild's envoy Agila passes through Tours and enters into a dispute over faith. (Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks Hist. Franc. 5.XLIV)
Chilperic issues a document ordering that the Trinity be written as one, without distinction. (Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks Hist. Franc. 5.XLV)
Chilperic sends Ansoaldus, who installs Eunomius as count of Tours. (Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks Hist. Franc. 5.XLVIII)
Chilperic's envoys, returning from Constantinople, land at Agde. (Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks Hist. Franc. 6.II)
Bishop Egidius of Reims visits Chilperic and discusses an alliance to drive out Guntram. (Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks Hist. Franc. 6.III)
Count Rufus of Champagne is driven out by Ursio and Berthefred, and Brunhild gives him help. (Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks Hist. Franc. 6.IV)