The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Justinian I
Rome
539–565
Pope Vigilius
Papacy
539–555
Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou
China
560–571
Emperor Wu of Liang
China
539–549
Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi
China
550–559
Theodora
Rome
539–548
Emperor Wen of Chen
China
559–566
Xiao Cha
China
555–562
Emperor Wen of Western Wei
China
539–551
Pope John III
Papacy
561–571
Sophia
Rome
565–571
Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei
China
539–550
Xiao Kui
China
562–571
Justin II
Rome
565–571
Emperor Xuan of Chen
China
568–571
Emperor Yuan of Liang
China
552–555
Emperor Fei of Chen
China
567–568
Emperor Wu of Chen
China
557–559
Pope Pelagius I
Papacy
556–561
Gao Wei
China
565–571
Emperor Wucheng of Northern Qi
China
561–565
Emperor Fei of Western Wei
China
551–554
Emperor Gong of Western Wei
China
554–557
Xiao Zhuang
China
557–560
Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou
China
557–560
Emperor Jianwen of Liang
China
549–551
Emperor Jing of Liang
China
555–557
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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