The 490s decade ran from January 1, 490, to December 31, 499.
Significant people
- Abba Afse, Abuna of Ethiopia
- Anastasius II, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, p. 496–498
- Mar Aqaq-Acace, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, 484–496
- Arthur, dux bellorum (leader of battles) and King of the Brythons of later legend
- Mar Babai I, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, 497–503
- Benedict of Nursia, founder of Western Christian monasticism
- Cerdic of Wessex, Saxon invader and future king and founder of the Kingdom of Wessex
- Cynric of Wessex, Saxon invader and future king of Wessex
- Euphemius, Patriarch of Constantinople, 489–495
- Felix II (excluding Antipope Felix II), Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, p. 483–492
- Gelasius I, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, p. 492–496
- Macedonius II, Patriarch of Constantinople, 495–511
- Symmachus, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, p. 498–514