Editing 581

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2011}}
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[[File:Cheui Dynasty 581 CE.png|upright=1.35|thumb|The [[Sui dynasty]] (581–618)]]
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Year '''581''' ('''[[Roman numerals|DLXXXI]]''') was a [[common year starting on Wednesday]] of the [[Julian calendar]]. The denomination 581 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 ==
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=== By place ===

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* [[Byzantine–Sasanian War of 572–591|Byzantine–Sasanian War]]: A [[Byzantine army]] commanded by [[Maurice (emperor)|Maurice]], and supported by [[Ghassanids|Ghassanid]] forces under King [[Al-Mundhir III ibn al-Harith|Al-Mundhir III]], fails to capture the [[Sassanid Empire|Persian]] capital, [[Ctesiphon]], along the [[Euphrates]].<ref>Treadgold, p. 226</ref>
* Maurice accuses Mundhir III of [[treason]], and brings him to [[Constantinople]] to face trial. Emperor [[Tiberius II Constantine]] treats him well, and allows Mundhir with his family a comfortable [[Dwelling|residence]].<ref>Martindale, Jones& Morris 1992, p. 36</ref><ref>Shahîd 1995, p. 459–462</ref> 
* [[Al-Nu'man VI ibn al-Mundhir|Al-Nu'man VI]], son (''de facto'') of Mundhir III, revolts with the Ghassanids against the [[Byzantine Empire]], after his father is treacherously arrested.

==== Europe ====
* Palace coup in [[Austrasia]]: New advisors break the [[peace treaty]] with King [[Guntram]], and make a new [[Military alliance|alliance]] with his half brother [[Chilperic I]], in which [[Childebert II]], age 11, is recognized as Chilperic's heir.
* The [[Lombards]] under [[Zotto]], [[Duchy of Benevento|Duke of Benevento]], sack the [[abbey]] of [[Monte Cassino]] near [[Naples]]. The [[Order of Saint Benedict|Benedictine]] monks who survive flee to Rome, but they return to the site, and rebuild the [[monastery]].
* The [[Göktürks]] under [[Taspar Qaghan]] besiege the city of [[Chersonesos Taurica]] (modern [[Ukraine]]), located at the [[Black Sea]]; their cavalry keep [[Looting|plundering]] the steppes of the [[Crimean Peninsula]] until 590.<ref name="Grousset81">Grousset 81</ref>

==== Britain ====
* The [[Anglo-Saxons]] under [[Ælla of Deira|Ælla]] conquer [[Deira]] ([[Northern England]]) from the [[Celtic Britons|Britons]]. He becomes the first king of Deira (according to the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'').

==== Asia ====
* The  [[Northern Zhou|Northern Zhou dynasty]] ends: [[Emperor Wen of Sui|Yáng Jiān]] executes the last ruler, 8-year-old [[Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou|Jing Di]], along with 58 royal relatives at [[Chang'an]]. He proclaims himself emperor, and establishes the [[Sui dynasty]] in China.
* The "Great City of Helu", situated on the shores of [[Lake Tai|Taihu Lake]], is renamed [[Suzhou, Jiangsu|Suzhou]] during the Sui dynasty (approximate date).
* In the [[Göktürks|Turkic Empire]] an interregnum begins, since there are several candidates to the throne: [[Talopien]] (late [[khagan]]'s candidate), [[Ishbara Qaghan|Ishbara]] ([[Kurultai]]'s choice) and [[Tardu]] (western [[yabghu]]).
* Ishbara Qaghan, grandson of [[Bumin Qaghan]], becomes the new ruler (''[[khagan]]'') of the [[Göktürks|Turkic Khaganate]] (Central Asia).
* The Sui dynasty begins.

=== By topic ===

==== Literature ====
* Maurice writes an encyclopedic work on the science of war (the ''[[Strategikon of Maurice|Strategikon]]''), which exercises a major influence on the military system.

==== Religion ====
* [[Second Council of Mâcon]]: In a [[Synod|council]] of Christian [[bishop]]s in [[Mâcon]] ([[Burgundy]]), Jews are prohibited from serving as [[judge]]s or customs officers.
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== Births ==
* [[Sun Simiao]], [[Traditional Chinese medicine|Chinese medicine]] doctor (approximate date)
* [[Yan Shigu]], Chinese author of the [[Tang dynasty]] (d. [[645]])

== Deaths ==
* [[Feng Xiaolian]], concubine of [[Gao Wei]] (approximate date)
* [[Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou|Jing Di]], Chinese emperor of [[Northern Zhou]] (b. [[573]])
* [[Taspar Qaghan]], ruler (''[[khagan]]'') of the [[Göktürks]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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