556

By place

Europe

• King Chlothar I suppresses a revolt of the Saxons and Thuringii in Saxony. For some time he exacts a tribute of 500 cows every year.

  Britain

• King Cynric and his son Ceawlin of Wessex fight against the Britons at Beranburh, now identified as Barbury Castle in South West England.

  Persia

• Lazic War: A Byzantine expeditionary force under Justin retakes Archaeopolis, and routs the Persian army.
• Siege of Phasis: The Persians are defeated at the besieged town of Phasis in Lazica, held by the Byzantines.
• King Khosrau I opens negotiations with Justinian I, leading to the establishment of a 50 year peace agreement in 562.

  By topic

Religion

• April 16 - The diplomatic representative to Constantinople is elected as Pope Pelagius I, succeeding Vigilius as the 60th pope of Rome.

  Births

• Gao Bainian, crown prince of Northern Qi
• Amr Ibn Hashim, Arab pagan chieftain, and biggest enemy to the spread of early Islam

  Deaths

• February 22 - Maximianus, Bishop of Ravenna
• Echu Tirmcharna, king of Connacht
• Erzhu Ying'e, empress of Northern Wei
• Romanos the Melodist, Syrian poet
• Xiao Yuanming, emperor of the Liang Dynasty
• Yuwen Tai, general of Western Wei