503
Year 503 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Volusianus and Dixicrates. The denomination 503 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.Events
Byzantine Empire
- War with Sassanid Persia: Emperor Anastasius I sends a Byzantine army to Armenia, but is defeated. The Romans attempt an unsuccessful siege of the Persian-held city Amida, on the Tigris. King Kavadh I invades Osroene, and lays siege to the city of Edessa.
- May - Areobindus, Byzantine general, is stationed as commander at Dara, with an army of 12,000 men to keep watch at the Persian stronghold of Nisibis.
Palestine
- Mundhir III, king of the Lakhmids, raids Palaestina Salutaris and Arabia Petraea. He captures a large number of Romans.
Europe
- King Ernakh, third son of Attila the Hun, dies after a 34-year reign. He is succeeded by his two sons, who share the power with the unified Bulgars.
Births
