• According to tradition, Buddhism is first introduced to Japan.
• Byzantine eunuch general Narses defeats the Ostrogoths under King Totila at the Battle of Taginae, clearing the way for a Byzantine recapture of Rome, which falls by the end of the year.

These people were born in 552:

• Ethelbert, king of Kent and Bretwalda

These people died in 552:

• Totila, King of the Ostrogoths, killed at the Battle of Taginae, succeeded by one of his military officers, Teia.

551 - 552 - 553

6th century

This is a collaboratively edited writeup. You are encouraged to assimilate and supersede it.