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* February 23 – Emperor Justinian I orders the building of a new Orthodox Christian basilica in Constantinople – the Hagia Sophia.

He chooses Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles as architects.

The material for the construction is brought from all over the empire – such as Hellenistic columns from the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, and large stones from quarries in porphyry from Egypt.

More than 10, 000 people are employed.