523
| Years: 519 520 521 522 - 523 - 524 525 526 527 | |
| Decades: 490s 500s 510s - 520s - 530s 540s 550s | |
| Centuries: 5th century - 6th century - 7th century | |
Events
- August 13 - John succeeds Hormisdas as Pope.
- Anicius Manlius Severinus Boëthius writes the Consolations of philosophy.
- Leptis Magna is sacked by Berber raiders.
- Hilderic becomes king of the Vandals.
- Justinian, later Byzantine emperor, marries Theodora.
- Seong becomes king of Baekje.
Deaths
- February 1 - Brigid of Ireland (Saint)
- August 6 - Pope Hormisdas
- October 24 - St. Aretas, leader of the Christian community in Yemen (executed)
- Thrasamund, king of Vandals and Alans
- Philoxenus of Mabbog, Syrian theologian
- Muryeong of Baekje
- Sigismund, king of the Burgundians