518

By place

Byzantine Empire

• July 9 - Emperor Anastasius I dies childless at Constantinople, age 88, after a 27-year reign in which he has abolished the sale of offices, reformed taxation, and perfected the empire's monetary system, but antagonized some with his heretical Monophysite religious policies. He is succeeded by Justin, his comes excubitorum, commander of the palace guard. After his death, he leaves the imperial treasury richer by 23,000,000 solidi or 320,000 pounds of gold.
• Justin I founds the Justinian Dynasty and makes his nephew Flavius Petrus Sabbatius his trusted advisor. He becomes the emperor's close confidant and acts possibly as regent. Theocritus, candidate to the throne, is accused of a conspiracy and executed.

  Balkans

• An earthquake destroys the Illyrian city of Scupi, in what once was the Roman province of Moesia Superior.

  Arabia

• Jabalah IV becomes the king of the Ghassanids. He invades Palestine, but is defeated by a Byzantine army under general Romanus.

  By topic

Religion

• September 29 - Severus, patriarch of Antioch, is deposed by a synod for his Monophysitism. Paul the Jew is appointed to replace him.