555
Year 555 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 555 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
By place
- By this date, the Roman Empire under Justinian I reached its height. Justinian I reconquered many former territories of the Western Roman Empire, including Italy, Dalmatia, Africa and Southern Hispania.
- An earthquake devastates the city of Latakia.
Europe
- King Chlothar I annexes the Frankish territories of Metz and Reims, after the death of his great-nephew Theudebald.
Britain
- King Erb of Gwent dies; his kingdom is divided into Gwent and Ergyng.
Persia
- Summer - Lazic War: The Byzantine army under Bessas is repulsed, and forced to retreat out of Archaeopolis.
- King Gubazes II is invited to observe the siege of a Persian-held fortress, and is murdered by the Byzantine military staff.
Asia
- Chinese Liang Dynasty: Jing Di, age 12, succeeds his father Yuan Di and is declared emperor by general Chen Baxian.
- The Rouran Khaganate ends; it is defeated by the Göktürks under Muqan Qaghan, who expands his rule in Central Asia.
By topic
Arts and sciences
Births
- Basolus, French Benedictine and hermit
- Fatimah bint Asad, mother of Ali ibn Abi Talib
- Khadija, wife of Islamic prophet Muhammad
Deaths
- January 27 - Yuan Di, emperor of the Liang Dynasty
- June 7 - Pope Vigilius
- September/October - Gubazes II, king of Lazica
- exact date unknown
- *Helier, Flemish-born hermit and patron saint of Jersey
- *Ly Thien Bao, emperor of Vietnam
- *Theudebald, king of Austrasia
- *Wang Sengbian, general of the Liang Dynasty
- probable
- *Cybi Felyn, Cornish bishop
- *Erb of Gwent, Welsh king
