494
Year 494 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Rufius and Praesidius. The denomination 494 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
Byzantine Empire
- An earthquake devastates the port town of Latakia.
China
- Emperor Xiao Wen Di moves the capital of Northern Wei from Datong to Luoyang. He makes Chinese the official language of his court, and orders his nobility to adopt Chinese names.
By topic
Religion
- Gelasius I delineates the relationship between church and state
- The Decretum Gelasianum is attributed.
- Gelasius I canonizes Saint George.
Births
- Gildas, British historian and priest
Deaths
- Xiao Zhaowen, emperor of Southern Qi
- Xiao Zhaoye, emperor of Southern Qi