List of state leaders in 496

Africa

*Kingdom of the Vandals and Alans
** Gunthamund, King of the Vandals and Alans (484-496)
** Thrasamund, King of the Vandals and Alans (496-523)

America

*Palenque - B'utz Aj Sak Chiik, Ajaw of Palenque (487-501)

Asia

*China (Southern and Northern Dynasties) -
** Southern Qi Dynasty - Emperor Ming, Emperor of Qi (494-498)
** Northern Wei Dynasty - Emperor Xiaowen, Emperor of Northern Wei (471-499)
*Gupta Empire
**Buddha Gupta, Gupta Emperor (477-496)
**Chandra Gupta III, Gupta Emperor (496-500)
*Japan (Kofun Era) - Emperor Ninken, Emperor of Japan (c.488-c.498)
*Korea (Three Kingdoms) -
**Baekje - Dongseong, King of Baekje (479-501)
**Goguryeo - Munjamyeong, King of Goguryeo (491-519)
**Silla - Soji, King of Silla (479-500)
*Pallava - Nandi Varman I, King of Pallava (480-500)

Europe

*Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy - Aelle, Bretwalda (c.477-c.514)
**South Saxons - Aelle, King of the South Saxons (c.477-c.514)
**Kent - Oisc, King of Kent (488-c.512)
*Burgundy
** Gundobad, King of Burgundy (473-516)
** opposed by Godegisel, (473-500)
*Byzantine Empire - Anastasius I, Byzantine Emperor (491-518)
*Ireland - Lughaid mac Loeguire, High King of Ireland (479-503)
*Italy - Theodoric I, King of the Ostrogoths in Italy (493-526)
*Salian Franks - Clovis I, King of Salian Franks (481-509)
*Visigoths - Alaric II, King of the Visigoths (484-507)

Middle east

*Sassanid Empire
**Kavadh I, Sassanid King (488-531)
**opposed by Djamasp, (496-499)