AD 500

Events

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Emperor Anastasius I concludes treaties with a number of nomad tribes in northern Arabia. In return for tribute to the Byzantine Empire and military defense of these eastern territories, such tribes are permitted to settle and farm agricultural lands in Arabia (approximate date).

Britannia

• Possible date for the Battle of Mons Badonicus: Romano-British and Celts defeat an Anglo-Saxon army, that may have been led by the bretwalda Aelle of Sussex or possibly Cerdic of Wessex (approximate date; suggested dates range from 490 to 517). This battle may have influenced the legend of King Arthur.
• Possible date at which Fergus Mór begins his reign – the historicity of Mór is doubtful.
• Approximate beginning of the Heptarchy period in the history of England.
• Approximate year of the founding of the Kingdom of Essex.
• Approximate year of the invention of the bee skep in Ireland.

Europe

• Burgundian Civil War: Battle of Dijon: A coalition of Franks and Burgundians crush the forces under Gundobad. King Clovis I pursues him to Avignon, where he surrenders and promises to pay a yearly tribute.
• The Frankish Kingdom is formed (approximate date).
• The monument of Ale's Stones is built in Sweden (approximate date).
• Roman catacomb burials end (approximate date).

Africa

• Thrasamund, king of the Vandals, marries Amalafrida (widowed sister of Theodoric the Great). She brings with her a large dowry and an elite Gothic force of 5,000 soldiers.
• Traders from southern Arabia settle in northern Ethiopia.

Asia

• Jijeung becomes king of the Korean kingdom of Silla.

Mesoamerica

• Tikal is founded (approximate date).
• Uxmal is founded (approximate date).

North America

• First large pit house villages at Chaco Canyon are founded (approximate date).

By topic

Religion

• The Arian Baptistry is erected by Theodoric the Great, at the same time as the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo (Ravenna).
• The Codex Argenteus, Gothic manuscript of bishop Ulfilas's translation of the Bible, is written (approximate date).