Editing 540 (section)

==== Religion ====
* [[Cassiodorus]], former [[Roman Empire|Roman]] statesman, establishes a [[monastery]] at his [[Estate (house)|estate]] in Italy. The Vivarium "monastery school" is for highly [[Education|educated]] and sophisticated men, who copy [[sacred]] and secular [[manuscript]]s, intending for this to be their sole occupation (approximate date). 
* [[Pope Vigilius]] rejects [[Monophysitism]] in letters to Justinian I and [[patriarch Menas of Constantinople]].  
* [[Benedict of Nursia]] writes his [[Rule of Saint Benedict|monastic rules]], containing [[precept]]s for his [[monk]]s (approximate date).