Year 543 (DXLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. The denomination 543 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 Europe Spring – Siege of Naples (542–543): The Byzantine garrison (1,000 men) in Naples surrenders to the Ostrogoths, pressed by famine and demoralized by the failure of two relief efforts. The defenders are well treated by King Totila, and the garrison is allowed safe departure, but the city walls are partly razed. Africa The fortress city of Old Dongola (modern Sudan) along the River Nile becomes the capital of the Kingdom of Makuria. Several churches are built, including the "Old Church" (approximate date). Persia Summer – Khosrow I, Shahanshah of the Sasanian Empire, invades Syria again, and turns south towards Edessa to besiege the fortress city. The Hephthalites threaten the Sasanian Empire from the East. They extend their domain in Central Asia (approximate date). A Byzantine invasion of Persarmenia is defeated at the Battle of Anglon by a much smaller force from the Sasanian Empire. Asia King Pulakeshin I establishes the Chalukya dynasty in India. He extends his kingdom by conquering Vakataka and the west coast of Karnataka, giving him access to the valuable Arabian Sea trade routes. By topic Learning Approximate date – The Yupian (玉篇) Chinese dictionary is edited by Gu Yewang. Religion The doctrine of apocatastasis is condemned by the Synod of Constantinople. Births Brunhilda, queen of Austrasia (approximate date) Columbanus, Irish missionary (d. 615) Jing Di, emperor of the Liang Dynasty (d. 558) Wu Di, emperor of Northern Zhou (d. 578) Deaths Octa, king of Kent (approximate date) (b. 500) Adolius, Byzantine officer References