497
Year 497 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Anastasius without colleague. The denomination 497 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
- Emperor Anastasius I gives formal recognition to the Ostrogoth king Theodoric the Great, as his representative in Italy. He sends the imperial standard to Ravenna. Theodoric respects the agreement and allows Roman citizens within the Ostrogothic Kingdom to be subject to Roman law.
- Isaurian War: Anastasius I regains control of the Isauria region and has the rebel leaders executed. Anastasius I pacifies the mountain strongholds of the Isaurians, ending the revolt that they began upon his ascension to the throne 6 years ago.
China
- The Shaolin Temple is founded..
- Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei fought several battles
By topic
Arts and sciences
- Aryabhata, Indian astronomer and mathematician, calculates pi as ≈ 62832/20000 = 3.1416, correct to four rounded-off decimal places.
Literature
- The Ambrosian Iliad, an Illuminated manuscript on vellum, of the Iliad of Homer, is produced in Constantinople.
Births
- Abdul Mutallib, grandfather of Islamic prophet Mohammed
- Cadoc, Welsh abbot, saint
- Chlothar I, king of the Franks
- Wei Jie, Chinese scholar
Deaths
- Hashim ibn 'Abd Manaf, great-grandfather of Mohammed
- Longinus of Cardala, Isaurian official, rebel leader
- Crown Prince Yuan Xun of Northern Wei