595
Year 595 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 595 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
- Balkan Campaign: A Byzantine relief force under Priscus marches up the Danube River along the southern bank to Novae. The fortress city of Singidunum is plundered by the Avars, and abandoned after the approach of the Byzantines. The Avars retreat and launch a raid against Dalmatia.
Europe
- October - King Childebert II dies; his mother Brunhilda attempts to rule Austrasia and Burgundy, as regent for her grandsons. He is succeeded by his two young sons, Theudebert II and Theuderic II.
- The Lombards sack the town of Terracina. After they conquer more cities, Terracina remains an important military stronghold of the Byzantine Empire.
- After the death of Euin, Gaidoald becomes the Duke of Trent.
Britain
- King Dynod Bwr of the Pennines dies fighting off a Bernician invasion. His kingdom Hen Ogledd is overrun, and his family flees to Powys.
Asia
- Spring - Emperor Wéndi orders the confiscation and destruction of privately held weapons; he exempts the border provinces from this edict.
- Supratisthitavarman succeeds his father Susthitavarman, as king of the Varman dynasty in Assam.
- Construction begins on the Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei Province, during the Sui dynasty.
By topic
Religion
- June - Pope Gregory I the Great sends a group of Benedictine monks under Augustine of Canterbury on a mission to Britain, to Christianize King Æthelberht, and convert the Kingdom of Kent from native Anglo-Saxon paganism. He carries letters of commendation to bishops, and is accompanied by Frankish interpreters.
- September 2 - John IV, patriarch of Constantinople, dies after a 13-year reign in which he has mediated disputes between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Monophysites.
- Muhammad, Islamic prophet, meets and marries Khadija. She is a 40-year-old widow and 15 years older than he. Supported by Khadija's wealth, they form a successful merchant partnership.
Births
- Asmā' bint Abu Bakr, female disciple of Muhammad
- Cen Wenben, chancellor and editor of the Book of Zhou
- Kim Yu-shin, general of Silla
- Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, companion of Muhammad
- Talhah, disciple and companion of Muhammad
- Zaynab bint Khuzayma, wife of Muhammad
Deaths
- September 2 - John IV, patriarch of Constantinople
- Berach, Irish bishop and saint
- Childebert II, king of Austrasia
- Dynod Bwr, king of Hen Ogledd
- Euin, Lombard duke of Trent
- Gartnait II, king of the Picts
- Owain mab Urien, king of Rheged
- Yuchi Chifan, empress of Northern Zhou