List of state leaders in 491

490 state leaders – Events of 491 – 492 state leaders – State leaders by year

Africa

• Kingdom of the Vandals and Alans - Gunthamund, King of the Vandals and Alans (484–496)

America

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

Asia

• China (Southern and Northern Dynasties) -
  • Southern Qi Dynasty - Emperor Wu, Emperor of Qi (483–493)
  • Northern Wei Dynasty - Emperor Xiaowen, Emperor of Northern Wei (471–499)
• Gupta Empire - Buddha Gupta, Gupta Emperor (477–496)
• 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)
  • Kingdom of Kent - Oisc (488-c.512)
• Kingdom of Burgundy
  • Gundobad (473–516)
  • opposed by Godegisel, (473–500)
• Byzantine Empire
  • Zeno (476–491)
  • Anastasius I (491–518)
• Ireland - Lughaid mac Loeguire, High King of Ireland (479–503)
• Italy - Odoacer, King of Italy (476–493)
• Salian Franks - Clovis I, King of Salian Franks (481–509)
• Visigothic Kingdom - Alaric II (484–507)

Middle East

• Sassanid Empire - Kavadh I, Sassanid King (488–531)