Year by year · 6th century

581 CE

581 CE in world history: 2 events, 2 deaths, 1 state founded and 1 that came to an end. 207 recorded states existed that year.

Events

  1. 4 March

    Yang Jian proclaims himself Emperor Wen of Sui

    Yang Jian, an official of the Northern Zhou, seized power and founded the Sui dynasty as Emperor Wen. In 589 he conquered the southern Chen dynasty, reuniting China after nearly three centuries of division.

    Emperor Wen of SuiSui dynastyNorthern Zhou
ProfileState152 states with a known seat in 581 CEOpen the atlas at 581 CE →

In the profiles

  • Sui DynastyYang Jian, regent for the child Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou, usurps the throne as Emperor Wen and names his dynasty Sui, after a bloody purge of 59 Zhou princes.

Died in 581 CE 2

States founded 1

States that came to an end 1

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). 581 CE. In The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/581
MLA
“581 CE.” The Epoch Institute, Year by Year, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/581. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “581 CE.” The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/581.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘581 CE’, The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/581 (Accessed: ).