511 Frankish kingdom divided into four on death of King Clovis
524 Composition of Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius while awaiting execution
c. 525 Foundation of Monte Cassino monastery by St Benedict and composition of his rule
c. 527-65 Gradual penetration of Balkans by Slav tribes
529 Promulgation by Justinian of first edition of new Roman law code (Codex Iustinianus); closing of the Academy of Athens
532 Serious uprising against Justinian in Constantinople (Nika riot)
533 Byzantine reconquest of Vandal Africa by general Belisarius
534 Frankish conquest of Burgundian kingdom; Byzantine occupation of Sicily
535 Byzantine invasion of Italian mainland
540 Byzantine occupation of Ravenna; Persian invasion of Syria and sacking of Antioch
542 Serious outbreak of bubonic plague throughout Europe
c. 551 Occupation of Cartagena and south-eastern Spain by Byzantines
554 End of major Ostrogothic resistance in Italy
568 Lombard invasion of Italy
572-91 Renewed war between Byzantium and Persia
582 Fall of Sirmium, leading to invasion of Balkans by Avars and their Slav allies
585 Sueve kingdom in north-west Spain taken over by Visigothic King Leovigild
587 Conversion of Visigothic King Reccared to Catholicism
590 Arrival of Columbanus and companions in Gaul
597 Augustine of Canterbury begins conversion of Kent
603 Beginning of series of devastating Persian raids into
Anatolia
Truce between Byzantines and Lombards in Italy
613 Foundation of monastery of Bobbio by Irish missionary St Columbanus
622 Migration (hijra) of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina: start of Muslim era
626 Repulse of Avaro-Slav siege of Constantinople
627 Defeat of Persians by Byzantine Emperor Heraclius

-351-