611

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The Four Gates Pagoda (China)

Year 611 (DCXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. The denomination 611 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

Events

By place

Persian Empire

• Byzantine–Persian War: The Persian army under Shahrbaraz captures Antioch and most of the remaining Byzantine fortresses in Syria and Mesopotamia. King Khosrau II is re-establishing a neo-Persian Empire and intensifies his war effort. The Byzantine army, ruined by defeat and corruption, offers only half-hearted opposition.

Britain

• Cynegils becomes king of the West Saxons, or Wessex, after the death of his uncle Ceolwulf (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle). He rules from 611 to 643 and shares power to some extent with his eldest son, Cwichelm, who may have been given Upper Wessex (approximate date).

By topic

Religion

• The Four Gates Pagoda, located in central Shandong Province (East China), is completed.

Births

• July 7 – Eudoxia Epiphania, daughter of Byzantine emperor Heraclius
• Leo II, pope of the Catholic Church (d. 683)

Deaths

• Arnoald, bishop of Metz (approximate date)
• Ceolwulf, king of Wessex (approximate date)
• Comentiolus, Byzantine general (approximate date)

References