The Avars, a nomadic people from Central Asia of undetermined, but probably mixed Mongol and Turkish, origin and language, may be the remnants of the Rouran Khaganate, whose empire was destroyed in 552 by Turkish tribes living within the empire and allied to northern China’s Wei dynasty.

Forced to migrate south from the steppe in 555, they currently inhabit the North Caucasus region, the lands of which are unsuitable for cattle breeding.

Their ambassadors reach Constantinople in 557, and, although they do not receive the lands they demand, they are loaded with precious gifts and allied by treaty with the empire.

Lazica is this time included as a concession to Constantinople when the truce between the East Roman Empire and Sassanian Persia is again renewed in 557.

The Avars, like the Huns, are the former elite of a central Asian federation who has been forced to flee westwards.

They arrive in the northern region of the Caucasus between the Black and the Caspian Sea, then send envoys to the imperial forces in Lazica.

Procopius claims that the White Huns live in a prosperous territory, and that they are the only Huns with fair complexions.

According to him, they do not live as nomads, do acknowledge a single king, observe a well-regulated constitution, and behave justly towards neighboring states.

He also describes the burial of their nobles in tumuli, accompanied by their closest associates.

This practice contrasts with evidence of cremation among the Chionites in Ammianus and with remains found by excavators of the European Huns and remains in some deposits ascribed to the Chionites in Central Asia.

Scholars believe that the Hephthalites constituted a second "Hunnish" wave who entered Bactria early in the fifth century, and who seem to have driven the Kidarites into Gandhara.

Istämi, who bears the title yabghu of the western part of the Gökturk Khaganate, collaborates with the Persian Sassanids to defeat and destroy the Hephthalites, who had been allies of the defunct Rouran Khaganate.

After a series of wars in the period 503–513, the Hephthalites are driven out of Persia and completely defeated in 557 by Khosrau I.

Their polity will hereafter come under the Göktürks and subsequent Western Turkic Khaganate.

This war tightens the grip of the Gökturks’ ruling Ashina clan on the Silk Road.

Chlothar I Founds the Abbey of St. Medard in Soissons

As part of his patronage of the Frankish Church, Chlothar I, King of the Franks, founds the Abbey of St. Medard in Soissons. This monastery is dedicated to St. Medard, a revered bishop of Noyon, known for his piety, miracles, and influence in Merovingian Gaul.

1. The Importance of the Abbey

• The Abbey of St. Medard becomes one of the most important religious institutions in the Frankish Kingdom.
• It serves as both a monastic center and a royal burial site, later housing the tomb of Chlothar I himself.
• The abbey plays a crucial role in spreading Christian learning and monastic traditions in Merovingian Gaul.

2. Chlothar I’s Role in Strengthening Church Ties

• Chlothar, like his predecessors, recognizes the political and religious significance of supporting monasticism.
• The foundation of the abbey reinforces the close alliance between the Frankish monarchy and the Catholic Church.
• It further establishes Soissons as a spiritual and political center, reflecting its importance in Frankish royal history.

3. The Abbey’s Lasting Legacy

• Over the centuries, the Abbey of St. Medard remains a key pilgrimage site and a place of royal ceremonies.
• It continues to shape monastic culture in Francia, influencing later Carolingian and medieval institutions.

Conclusion

The foundation of St. Medard’s Abbey by Chlothar I marks an important moment in Merovingian religious history, symbolizing the growing influence of monasticism in the Frankish Kingdom. Through such religious patronage, the Franks strengthen their alliance with the Church, further securing their rule over Gaul.

The dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses on May 7, 558, due to an earthquake.

Justinian orders the dome to be rebuilt.

Yuan Huangtou of Ye, the son of the deposed Yuan Lang, the briefly reigning Emperor of Northern Wei, has been permitted to inherit his father’s title of Prince of Anding.

Northern Wei's branch successor state Eastern Wei having ended in 550 and been replaced by Northern Qi, its first emperor, Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi, carries out a major slaughter of Northern Wei's imperial Yuan clan in 559.

Several prisoners of Emperor Wenxuan, including Yuan Huangtou, are forced to launch themselves from a tower attached to a kite, as an experiment.

Yuan Huangtou is the sole survivor, successfully gliding over the city walls.

One Yuan Huangtou is imprisoned and starves to death, but it is not known for sure whether that Yuan Huangtou was Yuan Lang's son.

The Liang Dynasty ends in 557 as Chen Baxian, a distinguished general, becomes, as Emperor Wu, the first emperor of Southern China’s Chen Dynasty.

Chen Qian, age thirty-seven, succeeds his uncle Emperor Wu of Chen.

During his reign, he will consolidate the state against the rebellious warlords.

The Gaya confederacy cannot risk the hostility of either Baekje or Silla (two of the Three Kingdoms of Korea that dominated the peninsula, the third being Goguryeo).

By the sixth century, Ara Gaya has put a great deal of effort into pursuing a diplomatic solution for maintaining its independence, including hosting summits between Baekje, Silla and Yamato-Wa.

The Gaya confederacy had been greatly weakened as northwestern Gaya states fell under the influence of Baekje and southeastern states fell under Silla's influence.

Ara Gaya had sought to maintain its independence by allying itself with Goguryeo, and then asked Goguryeo to invade Baekje in 548.

This attempt to weaken Baekje's sphere of influence failed with Goguryeo’s unsuccessful campaign.

Silla had defeated Baekje in war in 553 and occupied the Gyeonggi area (the Han River basin), breaking its hundred and twenty-year alliance with Baekje.

Having started incorporating the parts of Gaya already under its sphere of influence, Silla also invades the rest of Gaya to eliminate Baekje's sphere of influence there.

Ara Gaya capitulates to Silla in 559.