List of state leaders in 478

Africa

*Kingdom of the Vandals and Alans - Huneric, King of the Vandals and Alans (477-484)

America

*Palenque - "Casper", Ajaw of Palenque (435-487)

Asia

*China (Southern and Northern Dynasties) -
** Liu Song Dynasty - Emperor Shun, Emperor of Liu Song (477-479)
** Northern Wei Dynasty - Emperor Xiaowen, Emperor of Northern Wei (471-499)
*Gupta Empire - Buddha Gupta, Gupta Emperor (477-496)
*Japan (Kofun Era) - Emperor Yūryaku, Emperor of Japan (c.456-c.479)
*Korea (Three Kingdoms) -
**Baekje - Samgeun, King of Baekje (477-479)
**Goguryeo - Jangsu, King of Goguryeo (413-490)
**Silla - Jabi, King of Silla (458-479)
*Pallava - Skanda Varman IV, King of Pallava (460-480)

Europe

*Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy - Aelle, Bretwalda (c.477-c.514)
**South Saxons - Aelle, King of the South Saxons (c.477-c.514)
**Kent
***Hengest, King of Kent (c. 455-488)
***Horsa, King of Kent (c. 455-488)
*Burgundy
** Gundobad, King of Burgundy (473-516)
** opposed by Chilperic I (443-c.480)
** and Gundomar, (473-486)
** and Godegisel, (473-500)
*Byzantine Empire - Zeno, Byzantine Emperor (476-491)

*Ireland - Ailill Molt, High King of Ireland (459-478)
*Italy - Odoacer, King of Italy (476-493)
*Salian Franks - Childeric I, King of Salian Franks (457-481)
*Visigoths - Euric, King of the Visigoths (466-484)
*Western Roman Empire - Julius Nepos, Western Roman Emperor (474-480)

Middle East

*Sassanid Empire - Peroz I, Sassanid King (457-484)