AD 500

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.

• 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. 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

• 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.
• The monument of Ale's Stones is built in Sweden.
• Roman catacomb burials end.

  Africa

• Thrasamund, king of the Vandals, marries Amalafrida. 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

• Xuan Wu Di becomes sovereign of the Northern Wei Dynasty.
• Jijeung becomes king of the Korean kingdom of Silla.

  Mesoamerica

• Tikal is founded.
• Uxmal is founded.

  By topic

Religion

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