670s

This is a list of events occurring in the 670s, ordered by year.

670

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Arab-Byzantine War: The Arab fleet dominates the Aegean Sea and conquers the strategic islands, Rhodes, Cos and Chios. The southern shore of the Sea of Marmara is taken, providing an excellent base at Cyzicus to begin the blockade of Constantinople by sea.^[1]

Britain

• February 15 – King Oswiu of Northumbria dies during a pilgrimage to Rome in the company of bishop Wilfrid.^[2] He is succeeded by his son Ecgfrith, while his youngest son Ælfwine becomes king of Deira. Oswiu is buried at Whitby Abbey, alongside Edwin of Northumbria.

Arabian Empire

• Muslim Conquest: Arab forces (10,000 men) under general Uqba ibn Nafi invade the Byzantine Exarchate of Africa. He establishes a military base at Kairouan (Tunisia) for further invasions and founds the Great Mosque also known as the "Mosque of Uqba".

Asia

• Battle of Dafei River: Chinese forces (80,000 men) under general Xue Rengui of the Tang Dynasty are annihilated by the Tibetans, who take over control of the Tarim Basin.
• A Goguryeo restoration movement, led by Geom Mojam in northern Korea, places Anseung on the throne. Geom is later murdered and Anseung flees to neighboring Silla.
• Tarumanagara (modern Indonesia) is divided into two kingdoms: Sunda Kingdom and Galuh Kingdom with the Citarum River as the boundary (approximate date).
• A family register, Kogo-nenjaku, is prepared in Japan (approximate date).

By topic

Religion

• Hōryū-ji, Japanese Buddhist temple, burns to the ground after being hit by lightning; its reconstruction is immediately begun.
• The diocese of Dorchester-on-Thames in England is replaced by the Diocese of Winchester (approximate date).

671

By place

Europe

• Perctarit returns from exile and reclaims his realm, which is being ruled on behalf of Garibald after his father king Grimoald I has died. He deposes the young king and becomes the new ruler of the Lombard Kingdom in Italy. During his reign Perctarit makes Catholicism the official religion, but does not recognize papal authority.^[3]Grimoald is buried in the St. Ambrogio Church (Milan).

Britain

• Battle of Two Rivers: King Ecgfrith of Northumbria defeats the Picts under king Drest VI in the vicinity of Moncreiffe Island, near Perth (Scotland).^[4]After the battle the Picts are reduced to slavery and subject to the yoke of captivity for the next 14 years.^[5]

Asia

• Yijing, Chinese Buddhist monk, travels by boat from Guangzhou and visits the capital of the partly Buddhist kingdom of Srivijaya in Palembang (Indonesia). He stays for 6 months to study Sanskrit grammar and Malay language.
• June 10 – Emperor Tenji introduces a water clock (clepsydra) called Rokoku. The instrument, which measure time and indicates hours, is placed in the capital of Ōtsu in Japan.^[6]
• Silla seizes control of the former Baekje capital of Sabi from the Tang Protectorate General to Pacify the East.

672

By place

Europe

• Wamba succeeds Recceswinth as king of the Visigoths. After ascending to the throne he faces a revolt from Hilderic, governor of Nîmes, who has himself aspired to the kingship. He is supported by Gumild, bishop of Maguelone. Wamba sends dux Paulus to Septimania (Southern France) to end the hostilities, but on his arrival at Narbonne he proclaims himself king.

Britain

• King Cenwalh of Wessex dies after a 31 year reign in which he has lost much of his territory to Welsh and Mercian forces. He is succeeded by his widow Seaxburh. His sub-kings divide Wessex amongst themselves (approximate date).

Asia

• January 7 – Emperor Tenji dies after a 10-year reign in which he has given the Fujiwara clan its name. Following his death, there ensued a succession dispute between Tenji's 14 children (many by different mothers). He is succeeded by his favorite son Kōbun, age 23, who has been first accorded with the title Daijō-daijin.^[7]
• August 21 – Kōbun is deposed after 8 months during a brief but violent battle called the Jinshin War. He is succeeded by his uncle Ōama, who becomes the 40th emperor of Japan with support from the Fujiwara family. He takes the name Tenmu and begins a reign that will continue until 686.

By topic

Literature

• Cædmon, Anglo-Saxon poet, writes a nine-line hymn on the Creation. A onetime illiterate herdsman, he becomes a monk under the rule of Hilda of Whitby, where he will turn various biblical themes into vernacular poetry (approximate date).

Religion

• January 27 – Pope Vitalian dies at Rome after a reign of more than 14 years. He is succeeded by Adeodatus II as the 77th pope.
• Máel Ruba, Irish abbot, founds one of the first Christian monasteries in Applecross (Scotland) located in hostile Pictish territory.
• Wilfrid, bishop of York, brings stonemasons, plasterers and glaziers from France and Italy to build Ripon Cathedral (England).

673

By place

Europe

• Spring – King Chlothar III of Neustria and Burgundy dies after a reign of 16 years in which he has been a puppet — roi fainéant — of the Neustrian mayor of the palace, Ebroin. He is buried in the Basilica of St. Denis and succeeded by his brother Theuderic III.
• Burgundian nobles under leadership of bishop Leodegar and Adalrich invite Childeric II to become king in Neustria and Burgundy.^[8] He invades Theuderic's kingdom and displaces his brother, becoming sole king of the Frankish Kingdom.
• September 3 – King Wamba of the Visigoths puts down the revolt by Hilderic, governor of Nîmes and rival for the throne. He captures the rebel leaders who, are brought to trial and, for their crimes, scalped and imprisoned for life.

Britain

• King Frithuwold of Surrey flourishes under Mercian domination. The marriage of his daughter Osgyth to king Sighere of Essex breaks down. She desires the religious life, flees the Essex court to the protection of bishop Bedwinus of North Elmham (Norfolk).
• King Domangart mac Domnaill of Dál Riata (Scotland) dies and is succeeded by his nephew Máel Dúin mac Conaill. He probably submits to king Ecgfrith of Northumbria as his overlord.
• July 4 – King Ecgberht I of Kent dies after a reign of nearly 9 years. He is succeeded by his brother Hlothhere.

Asia

• March 20 – Emperor Tenmu assumes the Chrysanthemum throne of Japan at the Palace of Kiyomihara in Asuka.

By topic

Religion

• Æthelthryth, Anglo-Saxon princess, returns to East Anglia and founds the Abby of Ely (Cambridgeshire). At about this time a small nunnery is also founded in her name in Stow Green.
• The Council of Hertford is held and convened by Theodore of Tarsus, archbishop of Canterbury. The council make canons for the English Church.

674

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Siege of Constantinople: The Arab fleet enter the Sea of Marmara and appear before the southern walls of Constantinople in an attempt to blockade the Byzantine capital.
• April – A Muslim expeditionary force disembark on the Thracian shore (near Hebdomon) and lay siege to the massive Theodosian Walls on the landward side to the west.
• Summer – Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, companion and standard-bearer of Muhammad, is killed during the first attempt of the siege of the city (approximate date).
• Winter – Arab forces under Yazid (son of caliph Muawiyah I) retire to Cyzicus (Turkey). For the next 4 years the Arab fleet install a loose blockade around Constantinople.

Europe

• The Muslim-Arabs attack Crete, killing or enslaving much of the populace during the Muslim conquests (approximate date).

Britain

• King Ecgfrith of Northumbria defeats a coalition led by Mercians. He annexes the region of Lindsey (Lincolnshire).
• King Æscwine succeeds his father Cenfus as ruler of Wessex (approximate date).

Asia

• King Vikramaditya I of Chalukya defeats the Pallavan army in battle and destroys its capital Kanchi (modern India).^[9]
• In Korea, Anapji is constructed by order of king Munmu of Silla.
• In Japan, princess Ōku proceeds to the Ise Jingu.

By topic

Religion

• Æthelthryth, former queen of Northumbria, gives large areas of land to bishop Wilfrid to found Hexham Abbey.
• Monkwearmouth monastery is founded by Benedict Biscop in Northumbria.
• The first glass windows are placed in English churches (approximate date).

675

By place

Europe

• King Childeric II is murdered by a band of dissatisfied Neustrians, along with his wife Bilichild and 5-year-old son Dagobert, while hunting in the forest near Livry (Picardy).
• Theuderic III retakes the throne of his elder brother Childeric II. He inherits the Frankish kingdoms of Neustria and Burgundy.
• Clovis III, an illegitimate son of Chlothar III, is proclaimed king of Austrasia by the Austrasian nobles.

Britain

• King Wulfhere of Mercia dies after a 17-year reign in which he has extended his sway over much of England south of the Humber River, including Essex, Surrey, and part of Wessex north of the Thames. Wulfhere is succeeded by his brother Æthelred.
• April 1 – King Hlothhere of Kent re-establishes Kentish supremacy in London.

Asia

• The 25-year-old Wang Bo (王勃) writes Tengwang Ge Xu to celebrate the Tengwang Pavilion (approximate date).
• January 5 – In Japan, a platform to observe the stars for astrologers is erected for the first time.
• March 14 – Princess Tōchi and Princess Abe of Japan proceed to Ise Jingu.
• March 16 – Emperor Tenmu decrees the end of serfdom. He also orders an end to granting lands to Princes of the Blood, to Princes and to Ministers and Temples.
• May 8 – Tenmu issues a decree to distribute the tax-rice for peasants in poverty, as well as a decree regulating of fishing and hunting, ordering a halt to eating the flesh of cattle, horses, dogs, monkeys or barn-yard fowls.
• Some Japanese ministers who oppose Tenmu are banished to an isolated island. A man climbs the hill east of the Palace, curses the emperor and kills himself.
• September 16 – A typhoon strikes Japan.

By topic

Religion

• The abbeys of Abingdon, England and Bath are founded (approximate date).
• Aldhelm is made abbot of Malmesbury Abbey.^[10]

676

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Summer – Siege of Constantinople: Caliph Muawiyah I sends his son Yazid with Muslim reinforcements to Constantinople. At the same time, the Byzantines have to face a Slavic attack on Thessaloniki (modern Macedonia) and Lombard attacks in Italy.^[11]

Europe

• Dagobert II, son of the late king Sigibert III, becomes partly with help of bishop Wilfrid the new ruler of Austrasia after his predecessor Clovis III is murdered.

Britain

• King Æthelred of Mercia invades Kent in an attempt to enforce overlordship and diminish Kentish influence in Surrey and London. His armies destroy the Diocese of Rochester ^[12] (seat of the bishops in West Kent) and ravage the surrounding countryside.
• King Æscwine of Wessex dies after a 2-year reign and is succeeded by Centwine, son of the late king Cynegils. He reasserts the power of his Anglo-Saxon kingdom over the Welsh.

Asia

• Emperor Tenmu of Japan promulgate a decree in about taxes from fiefs and the employment of persons for the service from the outer provinces. Men of distinguished ability are allowed to enter the service, even though they are of the common people, regardless of their ranks.

By topic

Religion

• Aldhelm, Anglo-Saxon scholar-poet, founds Malmesbury Abbey on the site of the hermitage of his old tutor Máel Dub.
• Æthelred of Mercia founds the monastery at Breedon on the Hill on the site of The Bulwarks, an Iron Age hill fort.
• June 17 – Pope Adeodatus II dies at Rome after a reign of 4 years. He is succeeded by Donus as the 78th pope.
• Cuthbert of Lindisfarne retires to a hermitage near Holburn, at a place now known as St. Cuthbert's Cave.

677

By place

Europe

• The Onogur Bulgars are scattered by the Khazars, who then established a great Steppe empire, centered on the Lower Volga. The Onogurs depart to the Pannonian Plain.^[13]
• Warinus, Frankish nobleman, is stoned to death near Arras because of a feud between his brother, Leodegar (bishop of Autun) and Ebroin, the Mayor of the Palace of Neustria.

Asia

• Tang China declares the deposed Bojang of Goguryeo "King of Joseon", placing him in charge of the Liaodong area under the Protectorate General to Pacify the East.

678

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Autumn – Siege of Constantinople: Emperor Constantine IV confronts the Arab besiegers in a head-on engagement. The Byzantine fleet, equipped with Greek fire, destroys the Muslim fleet at Sillyon.^[14] Ending the Arab threat to Europe, and forcing Yazid (a son of caliph Muawiyah I) to lift the siege on land and sea.

Britain

• King Æthelred of Mercia defeats the Northumbrian forces under king Ecgfrith in a battle near the River Trent. Archbishop Theodore helps to resolve differences between the two, Æthelred agreeing to pay a weregild to avoid any resumption of hostilities (approximate date).

Japan

• April 27 – Emperor Tenmu holds divination for the purpose of proceeding to the Abstinence-palace.
• May 3 – Princess Tōchi suddenly takes ill and dies within the palace. Tenmu, her father, is unable to sacrifice to the Gods of Heaven and Earth.
• May 10 – Tōchi is buried at a place which could be Akō (Hyōgo Prefecture). Tenmu is graciously pleased to raise lament for her.

By topic

Religion

• Wilfrid, bishop of York, is at the height of his power and owns vast estates throughout Northumbria. After his refusal to agree to a division of his see, Ecgfrith and Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury, have him banished from Northumbria.
• April 11 – Pope Donus dies at Rome after a reign of 1 year and 160 days. He is succeeded by Agatho I who becomes the 79th pope. He is the first pope to stop paying tribute to Constantine IV upon election.
• In Japan, the national worshiping to the Gods of Heaven and Earth is planned. Tenmu tries to select his daughter Tōchi as a Saiō to make her serve the Gods. However, Tōchi suddenly takes ill and dies.
• The Beomeosa-templecomplex in Geumjeong-gu (modern South Korea) is constructed during the reign of king Munmu of Silla.

679

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Emperor Constantine IV signs a peace treaty, of a nominal 30-year duration, with caliph Muawiyah I of the Umayyad Caliphate. Muawiyah pays an annual tribute of 3,000 (nomismata) pounds of gold, 50 horses and 50 slaves. The Arab garrisons are withdrawn from their bases on the Byzantine coastlands, including Cyprus and Rhodes.^[15]

Europe

• December 23 – King Dagobert II is murdered in a hunting accident, near Stenay-sur-Meuse (Ardennes), probably on orders from Pepin of Herstal, the mayor of the palace of Austrasia.^[16] He is succeeded by Theuderic III who becomes sole ruler of the Frankish Kingdom.

Britain

• King Æthelred of Mercia marries princess Osthryth, sister of king Ecgfrith of Northumbria (approximate date).

By topic

Religion

• Adomnán, clerical lawyer, becomes abbot of the monastery of Iona Abbey located on the Isle of Iona (modern Scotland).
• October 2 – Leodegar, bishop of Autun, is tortured and executed by Neustrian nobles at Fécamp (Normandy)

Significant people

Births

Deaths

References