630s

The630sdecade ran from January 1, 630, to December 31, 639.

Events

630

By place

Byzantine Empire

• March 21– EmperorHeracliusreturns theTrue Cross,one of the holiest Christianrelics,toJerusalem.He tries to promoteMonothelitism,which is rejected by the Christians.
• Heraclius issues adecreethat all Jews must become Christian; amassacrefollows around Jerusalem and inGalilee(Israel), some survivors fleeing to theDaraaarea.
• Chorpan Tarkhan,general of theKhazars,invades and devastatesRoman Armenia.He defeats a Persian cavalry force (10,000 men) sent byShahrbarazto repel the invasion.

Central America

• October 1–Tajoom Ukʼab Kʼahkʼ,theruler of the Mayan city stateofCalakmulin southernMexicodies after a reign of eight years and is succeeded byCauac,who reigns until 636.

Scandinavia

• YnglingKingOlof Trätäljafounds acolonyinVärmland.He is expelled from his nativeVästergötland(in modern-daySweden) (according to theYnglingatal).

Britain

• KingRicberht of East Angliadies and is succeeded bySigeberht,who returns from exile in France. He rules together with his kinsmanEcgric,re-establishingChristianity.
• KingPenda of MerciabesiegesExeterin southwest England. KingCadwallon ap CadfanofGwyneddlands with a force nearby, and negotiates analliancewith Penda.
• Eanswith,daughter of KingEadbald of Kent,founds theBenedictineFolkestone Priory,the firstnunneryin England.

Persia

• April 27– KingArdashir III,age 9, is murdered after an 18 month reign. He is succeeded by Shahrbaraz who becomes ruler (shah) of theSasanian Empire.
• June 9– Shahrbaraz is killed and succeeded byBorandukht,daughter of former kingKhosrow II.She ascends thethroneas 26th monarch ofPersia.

Arabia

• January –Battle of Hunayn:Muhammad defeats theBedouintribe ofHawazin(12,000 men) in a valley, on one of the roads leading toTa'if(WesternArabia).
• February 5–Siege of Ta'if:Muhammadbegins to besiege Ta'if and bringsbattering ramsandcatapultsto suppress the fortress city, but is unable to penetrate it.
• December 11–Conquest of Mecca:A Muslim army (10,000 men) marches onMecca,which surrenders.Muhammadtakes the city from theQuraysh

Asia

• Illig Qaghan,ruler (khagan) of theEastern Turkic Khaganate,is captured byLi Jingduring theTang campaign against the Eastern Turks.

By topic

Religion

• Xuanzang,ChineseBuddhistmonk (bhikkhu), travels across theGobi DeserttoKumul.Following theTian Shanmountain range of Central Asia westwards, he arrives inTurpan.

631

By place

Byzantine Empire

• EmperorHeracliusappointsCyrus,patriarch ofAlexandria,with power to act as viceroy (dioikesis) ofEgypt.He begins a 10-year persecution against the non-ChalcedonianCoptic Christians.

Europe

• Battle of Wogastisburg:TheSlavsunder KingSamodefeat theAustrasian Franks,in a three-day battle nearTrenčín(modernSlovakia). KingDagobert Iis forced to retreat; the Franks with their allies are slaughtered. Samo invadesThuringiaand undertakeslootingraids.
• KingSuintilais overthrown after a 10-year reign by his sonSisenand,with the aid of Dagobert I. TheVisigothicnobles offer him a 500-pound plate made of puregold.Sisenand becomes new king of theVisigothic Kingdomand declares his father atyrantfor his manycrimes.
• TheSaxons(Northern Germany) appeal to Dagobert I, against the yearlytribute(500cows) which they still pay (approximate date).

Britain

• KingEdwin of Northumbriarefortifies thecity wallsofYork,probably including the building of the so-calledAnglian Tower(approximate date).

Persia

• Azarmidokht(daughter of kingKhosrau II) succeeds her sisterBorandukht,as monarch of thePersian Empire.
• Azarmidokht is succeeded after a few months reign byKhosrau IV,who becomes new ruler (shah) of Persia.
• Hormizd VIproclaims himself king inNisibis(Turkey). He seizes thethroneand will reign until632.

Asia

• EmperorTai Zongsends envoys to theXueyantuo,vassals of theEastern Turkic Khaganate,bearing gold andsilkin order to obtain the release of enslaved Chinese prisoners, who were captured during the transition from theSuito theTang dynastyfrom the northern frontier. Theembassysucceeds in freeing 80,000 men and women, who are safely returned toChina.
• Tai Zong establishes a newDaoistabbey,out of gratitude for Daoist priests who had apparently cured thecrown princeof an illness.

By topic

Religion

• Benjamin I,Copticpatriarch of Alexandria,escapes during the persecutions of his fellowChristiansand hides in themonasteryofSt. Macarius(Upper Egypt).
• Xuanzang,ChineseBuddhist monk,crosses theIndus RiveratHundand travels toKashmir( "Heaven on Earth" ) in northwesternIndia(approximate date).

632

By place

Arabia

• March 18(approximate) –Muhammadmakes hisfinal sermon to the Muslims.It is believed byShiato be the appointment ofAli ibn Abi Talibas his successor. TheImamah (Shia doctrine)ofAli Ibn Abi Talib,for the religious, spiritual and political leadership of the Ummah, begins.
• June 8–Muhammaddies atMedinaat the age of 62, after an illness and fever.
• June–Abu Bakr(bornAbdallah ibn Uthman ibn Amir,better known by his IslamiclaqabAl-Siddiq) becomes the Caliph.
• June– The first caliph,Abu Bakr,sendsan expedition to Balqa,Byzantine Empire,led byUsama ibn Zayd.This expedition is sent based on Muhammad's decision before his death.
• Ridda Wars:Abu Bakr launches a series of military campaigns against rebelArabian tribes,to re-establish the power of theRightly Guided Caliphs,and to secure Muhammad's legacy.
• September–Battle of Buzakha:An Islamic column (6,000 men) underKhalid ibn al-Waliddefeats theApostaterebels underTulayha,nearHa'il(Saudi Arabia).
• December–Battle of Aqraba:The Muslim forces of Abu Bakr defeat the Apostate rebels (40,000 men) underMusaylimah,on the plain ofAqraba.

Europe

• April 8– KingCharibert IIisassassinatedatBlaye(Gironde), (possibly on orders of his half-brotherDagobert I), along with his infant son.Dagobert IclaimsAquitaineandGascony,becoming the most powerfulMerovingianking in the West.
• Part ofSamo's rebellion,Alciocusleads 9,000 Bulgars from Pannonia to refuge withDagobert(who massacres them), then, with 700 survivors, settles with theWends,under the protection of Walluc.
• Kubrat,ruler of theDulo clan,takes power from thePannonian Avarsand establishesOld Great Bulgariain the area of Black Cumania. Kubrat's rule stretches fromDaciatoPoltava.

Persia

• June 16–Yazdegerd III,age 8, ascends to thethroneas king (shah) of thePersian Empire.He becomes the last ruler of theSassanid Dynasty(modernIran).

Asia

• January 27– Anannular eclipseof thesunoccurs.
• Seondeokis crowned queen ofSilla(Korea).

Armenia

• The632 Armenia earthquakeaffects the region of theArmenian Highlands.

By topic

Religion

• March 6(Friday, 9 Zulhijja, 10 AH) – TheFarewell Sermon(Khuṭbatu l-Wadāʿ) is delivered byMuhammad,Islamicprophet,in the Uranah valley ofMount Arafat,to theMuslimswho have accompanied him for theHajj(pilgrimage).
• June 8– Muhammad dies inMedina,at the age of 62, and is succeeded byAbu Bakrwho becomes the firstcaliph(vicegerent of the messenger ofGod). He establishes theRashidun Caliphateuntil661.
• Xuanzang,Chinese traveler, writes about two hugestatues of Buddhacarved out of a mountainside in theBamiyan Valley(Afghanistan).

633

By place

Britain

• October 12–Battle of Hatfield Chase:KingEdwin of Northumbriais defeated and killed byPenda of MerciaandCadwallon of Gwynedd,atHatfield Chase(South Yorkshire).
• Osricsucceeds his uncle Edwin as king ofDeira.PrinceEanfrithreturns fromPictlandto claim his rightful crown ofBernicia(Northern England). Both revert topaganism.
• Winter – Cadwallon isbesiegedby King Osric atYork;he successfully breaks out of the city with all his forces, by surprise, and destroys Osric's army.

Arabia

• Ridda Wars:Abu Bakr,caliph(khalifa) of theRashidun Caliphate,launches a military campaign against theArabtribe ofKinda,which inhabits the region ofNajran(Yemen).
• March 18– TheArabian Peninsulais united under the central authority of Abu Bakr. This sets the stage for theIslamic conquest of Persiaand thefall of the Sassanid dynasty.
• April–Battle of Chains(Kuwait) andBattle of River(Iraq): AMuslimarmy (18,000 men) underKhalid ibn al-WalidinvadesMesopotamia,and wins decisive victories.
• May–Battle of Walaja:TheRashidun Caliphate armyunder Khalid defeats thePersiansand theirArab Christianallies. ThePersian armyis at least three times the size.
• Battle of Ullais:Forces of theRashidun Caliphateunder Khalid defeat an entire Persian army (70,000 men) near the riverEuphrates.Khalid besieges the city ofHira.
• Siege of Hira:The Muslim Arabs (15,000 men) under Khalid attack the fortress city of Hira. After a brief fight the citizens surrender, and bring gifts to Khalid.
• July–Siege of Anbar:A Muslim Arab army under Khalid besieges the fortress city ofAnbar.The Persiangovernorsurrenders and is allowed toretire.
• Battle of Ein ut Tamr:The Muslim army attacks a Persian frontier post located south of Anbar. The Arab Christianauxiliariesare overrun and surrender.
• August–Battle of Dumat Al-Jandal:A Muslim army (10,000 men) under Khalid defeats the rebel Arab Christians atDumat Al-Jandal(Saudi Arabia).
• November–Battle of Muzayyah,Battle of Saniyy,andBattle of Zumail:Khalid coordinates successful night attacks against the Arab Christians.

By topic

Arts and sciences

• Li Chungfengbuilds anarmillary sphere(approximate date).

Religion

• December 5–Fourth Council of Toledo:KingSisenandorders a meeting in the church ofSt. Leocadia;thebishopsaccept adecreethat allVisigothsmust take anoathto preserve the stability of theGothicnation.
• Paulinus of Yorkflees with QueenÆthelburgaand her daughterEanflæd,age 7, south toKent,where he is madebishop of Rochester.Eanflæd grows up under the protection of her uncle, KingEadbald of Kent.

634

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Arab–Byzantine War:EmperorHeraclius,ill, infirm, and unpopular with theEastern Orthodox Church,is unable to personally lead theByzantine armyto resist theMuslim conquest of the Levant.He sends his brotherTheodoreto assemble forces to retake the newly won Muslim territories.Monophysitesand Jews throughout Syria welcome the Arab invaders, as they are discontented with Byzantine rule.
• July 30–Battle of Ajnadayn:Byzantine forces (90,000 men according to Muslim sources) under Theodore are defeated by theRashidun CaliphatenearBeit Shemesh(modern-dayIsrael). Heraclius, who is inEmesa,flees toAntiochupon hearing news of the battle's outcome.

Europe

• KingDagobert Iis forced by the Austrasiannoblesto put his 3-year-old sonSigebert IIIon the throne, ceding royal power inAustrasia.He frees himself from dependence onPepin of Landen,and extends his rule over theBretons(approximate date).

Britain

• Eanfrith of Berniciaand his bodyguard are killed by KingCadwallon of Gwynedd,in an attempt to negotiate peace.Eanfrith's brotherOswaldreturns from 18 years exile inDál Riata(modern Scotland), to claim the crown ofNorthumbria.
• Battle of Heavenfield:Oswald, possibly accompanied by a force ofScots(orPicts), defeats and kills Cadwallon with aWelsharmy nearHexham(northern England). He reunitesDeirawithBernicia,and becomes king of Northumbria.

Persia

• Battle of the Bridge:Persian forces (10,000 men) underBahman Jadhuyihdefeat the Muslim Arabs at theEuphrates(nearKufa). The sight ofelephantspanics the Muslims, and many are killed. Bahman does not pursue the fleeing Arab army.

Arabia

• Battle of Firaz:The Rashidun Arabs (15,000 men) underKhalid ibn al-Waliddefeat the combined forces of theByzantine Empire,Persian EmpireandArab Christians(at least 10 times larger than Khalid's army) inMesopotamia(Iraq).
• February 4–Battle of Dathin:Rashidun forces underYazid ibn Abi Sufyandefeat the Christian Arabs aroundGaza.The Muslim victory is celebrated by the local Jews, who have been a persecuted minority within the Byzantine Empire.
• TheRashidun Caliphatestarts the Islamic conquest of the Byzantine Empire, when Muslim forces underAbu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrahinvade the Levant.Khalid sets out for Syria fromAl-Hirah,taking with him half his army, about 8,000 strong.
• Battle of al-Qaryatayn:The Muslim Arabs under Khalid defeat theGhassanidsatAl-Qaryatayn,after the inhabitants resist his proposals. His army conquers andplundersthe city, before proceeding to capture other towns in the area.
• Battle of Marj Rahit:A Muslim Arab army under Khalid defeats the Byzantine forces (15,000 men) and their Ghassanid allies. After the battle he sends a mounted column to the outskirts ofDamascus,to plunder the region.
• Battle of Bosra:Muslim forces under Khalidbesiegethe Byzantine and Christian Arab garrison (12,000 men) atBosra.After a few days the fortress city surrenders; Khalid imposes a payment oftributeon the inhabitants.
• August 23–Abu Bakrdies atMedinaand is succeeded byUmar I,who becomes the secondcaliph(khalifah) of the Rashidun Caliphate. During his rule, Umar conquers Syria,Persia,andEgyptin a"Holy War".
• September 19–Siege of Damascus:Muslim Arabs under Khalid conquer Damascus as the first major city of the Byzantine Empire. Damascan refugees are given a guarantee of safety to retreat to Antioch.
• Battle of Maraj-al-Debaj:A Byzantine convoy of Damascan refugees (10,000 men) is slaughtered by a Muslim army near Antioch. TheMobile Guard(elitelight cavalry) captures a great amount ofbrocade.

Asia

• TheTuyuhun Kingdomis invaded by Chinese forces underLi Jing(Tang dynasty) duringEmperor Taizong's campaign against Tuyuhun,resulting in the murder of their leader (khan)Murong Fuyunin635.
• Tai Zong orders the construction of theDaming PalaceinChang'an.He builds the summer palace for his retired father, EmperorGao Zu,as an act offilial piety.

By topic

Religion

• Aidan of Lindisfarne,Irishmissionary,is summoned by King Oswald fromIona(Inner Hebrides) to establish abishopricon the holy island ofLindisfarne,and reestablish Christianity in Northumbria (approximate date).
• Birinus,Frankish missionary, lands at the port of "Hamwic" (now in theSt. Mary'sarea ofSouthampton), on his mission to reconvert theWest Saxonsin England.About this time, theSt Mary's Churchis founded.
• Sophroniusbecomespatriarch of Jerusalem.He sendssynodicalletters toPope Honorius Iand the Eastern patriarchs, explaining theOrthodoxbelief, by renouncingMonothelitism.

635

By place

Byzantine Empire

• EmperorHeracliusmakes analliancewithKubrat,ruler (khagan) ofGreat Bulgaria,to break the power of theAvarson theBalkan Peninsula.

Europe

• Judicaël,high kingofDomnonée(Brittany), visitsKingDagobert Iat his palace inClichy(northwest ofParis), to promise he will remain underFrankishlordship. TheBretonking arrives with gifts, but insults Dagobert by refusing to eat at the royal table.

Britain

• KingMeurigofGlywysingandGwentinvadesErgyng(Archenfield), and reunites the twoWelshkingdoms (approximate date).
• KingGartnait IIIdies after a 4-year reign, and is succeeded by his brotherBridei II,as ruler of thePicts.

Arabia

• January –Battle of Fahl:TheRashidun army,(30,000 men) underKhalid ibn al-Walid(known as the "Drawn Sword ofGod"), defeats theByzantineforces led byTheodore Trithyrius,atPellain theJordan Valley(Jordan).
• Gazais conquered by theMuslimArabs under'Amr ibn al-'As.It becomes the first city inPalestinedeveloped into a centre ofIslamic law.

By topic

Literature

• Yao Silian,Chinesehistorian,completes hisBook of Liang.It contains the history of theLiang dynasty.

Religion

• Christianmissionaries arrive inChina:Alopen,bishop of theAssyrian Church of the East,preachesNestorianChristianityin theTang dynastycapital,Chang'an.
• Aidan of Lindisfarne,Irishmissionary,founds themonasteryofLindisfarneinNorthumbria(Northern England).
• Birinus,Frankish missionary, converts KingCynegils of Wessexand becomes the firstBishop of Dorchester.

636

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Arab–Byzantine War:EmperorHeracliusassembles a large army consisting of contingents ofByzantines,Slavs,Franks,Georgians,Armenians,andChristian Arabs.He establishes a base at Yaqusah (nearGadara), close to the edge of theGolan Heights,protecting the vital main road fromEgypttoDamascus.The base is protected by deep valleys and precipitous cliffs, well supplied with water andgrazing.
• Summer – Heraclius summons a church assembly atAntioch,and scrutinises the situation. He accepts the argument that Byzantine disobedience to God is to blame for the Christian disaster inSyria.Heraclius leaves forConstantinoplewith the words,'Peace be with you Syria — what a beautiful land you will be for your enemy'.

Central America

• April 28–Yuknoom Chʼeen IIbecomes theruler of the Mayan city stateofCalakmulin southernMexicoand reigns for 50 years until his death in 686.

Europe

• Chintilais elected by a convention ofbishopsandnobles(in accordance with the 75th canon of theFourth Council of Toledo) as ruler of theVisigoths,after the death of KingSisenand.
• Rothari(formerlydukeofBrescia) marries widowed QueenGundeberga,and succeedsArioaldas king of theLombards.During his reign, he puts many insubordinate nobles to death.

Arabia

• August 15–20–Battle of Yarmouk:In engagements along theYarmouk River,Muslim forces (25,000 men)of theRashidun Caliphate,led byKhalid ibn al-Walid,decisively defeat the armies of theByzantine Empire,effectively completing theMuslim conquest of Syria.It will be regarded as one of the most decisive battles in military history,marking the first great wave ofMuslim conquests,after the death ofMuhammad.
• The city ofBasra(modernIraq) is founded on theShatt al-Arab,at the head of thePersian Gulf.The port will become a major trading center for commodities fromArabia,India, andPersia.
• November 16–19–Battle of al-Qādisiyyah:The Muslim Arab army defeats the Persian forces underRostam Farrokhzād,atAl-Qādisiyyah(SouthernMesopotamia).

Asia

• TheXumi PagodaofZhengding(China) is built, during the reign ofEmperor Taizong of Tang.

By topic

Literature

• The historical texts of theBook of Northern Qi,Book of Chen,andBook of Suiare compiled in China, during theTang dynasty.

Religion

• Birinus,Bishop of Dorchester,convertsCwichelm(son of kingCynegils of Wessex)to Christianity. He dies soon afterward, and is supposedly buried atScutchamer Knob,inEast Hendred(South East England).
• June 30–Fifth Council of Toledo:Chintila orders a meeting in the church ofSt. Leocadia;the bishops accept adecreethat onlyGothicnobility (with military functions) may be king of theVisigothic Kingdom.

637

By place

Britain

• June 24–Battle of Mag Rath:KingOswald of Northumbriasends troops toIreland,to assistDomnall BreccKing ofDál Riatain hisalliancewith KingCongal CáechofUlaidagainstDomnall mac ÁedoHigh King of Ireland,during the Irish dynastic wars. Domnall Brecc, Congal and their forces are defeated nearMoira.At theMull of Kintyre(southwestScotland), Domnall mac Áedo's fleet destroysDomnall Brecc's naval force ofDál Riata.

Persia

• March–Siege of Ctesiphon:TheRashidun army(15,000 men) underSaʿd ibn Abi Waqqasoccupies thePersiancapital ofCtesiphon,after a two-monthsiege.KingYazdegerd IIIflees with the imperialtreasureeastward intoMedia.Muslim forces conquer the Persian provinces as far asKhuzestan(modernIran).
• Battle of Jalula:Muslim Arabs defeat the Persian forces (20,000 men) underFarrukhzadat theDiyala River.The citiesTikritandMosulare captured, completing the conquest of Mesopotamia. The region west of theZagros Mountainsis annexed by theRashidun Caliphate.

Arabian Empire

• April–Siege of Jerusalem:The Rashidun army (20,000 men), led by'Amr ibn al-'As,conquersJerusalemafter a six-month siege. TheByzantinegarrison surrenders to CaliphUmar I,who is invited bySophronius,patriarch of Jerusalem,to pray in theChurch of the Holy Sepulchre.Umar declines, fearing that accepting the invitation might endanger thechurch'sstatus, and turn theChristianholy site into amosque.
• Battle of Hazir:Muslim Arab forces (17,000 men) underKhalid ibn al-Waliddefeat theByzantine armynearQinnasrin(NorthernSyria). The cities ofBeirutandTyreare captured byYazid ibn Abi Sufyanafter a short siege.
• October–Siege of Aleppo:Muslim Arabs under Khalid ibn al-Walid conquer the Byzantine strongholdAleppo;the largewalled citysurrenders after a four-month siege. A column of troops underMalik al-Ashtaris sent to takeAzaz.
• Battle of the Iron Bridge:Rashidun forces under Khalid ibn al-Walid defeat the Byzantine army andChristian ArabsnearAntioch,at theOrontes River.It marks the complete annexation of Syria into the Rashidun Caliphate.

Asia

• Chang'an,capital of theTang dynasty(China), becomes the largest city of the world, taking the lead from Ctesiphon, capital ofPersia.
• QueenSeondeokofSilla(Korea) builds anastronomical observatorynearGyeongju(Cheomseongdae), one of the oldest inEast Asia.
• KingSongtsän Gampobuilds the first palace on the site of thePotala PalaceinLhasa(Tibet).

By topic

Religion

• TheMuslimsreplaceZoroastrianismwithIslaminMesopotamia(laterIraq); they do not force their conquered subjects to embrace the Islamic faith, but they do require acceptance of theQuranas thedoctrineof divine teaching, and will oblige their subjects to learnArabic(approximate date).

638

By place

Byzantine Empire

• EmperorHeracliuscreates abuffer zone(orno man's land) in the heartland ofAsia Minor.In the mountainous terrain ofAnatolia,the Byzantine forces develop a system of defensiveguerrilla warfare.The strategy is known as ‘shadowing warfare’, as it avoids battle with majorMusliminvaders, and instead attacksraidingparties on their return when they are laden withbooty,capturedlivestockor prisoners.
• July 4–Heraklonas,age 12, son of Heraclius, obtains (through the influence of his motherMartina) the title ofAugustus.This brings him in rivalry with his elder half-brotherConstantine.
• Heraclius issues hisEkthesis,espousing the Monothelete doctrine (that there is only one will inChrist), and setting it forth as the officialdoctrineof theEastern Orthodox Church.TheEkthesisis vigorously opposed, notably byMaximus the Confessor.

Britain

• KingOswaldand his Northumbrian armybesiegeand conquerEdinburgh(Scotland). His half-brother,Oswiu of Bernicia,marries Princess Rhiainfelt, heiress ofNorth Rheged( "Old North" ).Northumbriaembraces North Rheged in a peaceful takeover, and Oswiu becomes a sub-king (approximate date).

Arabian Empire

• January– ThePlague of Amwasbreaks out.
• Autumn – TheArabianforces underAbu Ubaidah ibn al-JarrahstormCaesarea Maritima,capital ofByzantine Palestine,and effect their final capture ofAscalon(modernIsrael). CaliphUmar Istops theMuslim invasion,and appoints Abu UbaidahgovernorofSyria.
• Arab-Byzantine War:The invadingRashidun armyunderKhalid ibn al-Walidmoves into Anatolia, conquering (without strong Byzantine resistance) the cities ofKahramanmaraş,Caesarea Cappadociae,Sebastia,andMalatya(west of theTaurus Mountains). Arab forces march intoArmenia,where they capture the citiesEdessaandAmidaup to theArarat plain.
• Umar I dismisses Khalid ibn al-Walid after theconquest of Syria,owing to his ever-growing fame and influence. He wants the Muslims to know that victory comes fromGod,not his general.
• Abu Musa al-Asha'ari,companion (sahabah) ofMuhammad,establishesHafar al-Batin,located in the northeastern region of theArabian Peninsula.He orders the digging for newwells,along this desert route that Muslims travel fromIraqtoMeccafor theHajj(pilgrimage).

Asia

• TheTibetan Empire,seeking analliance through marriagewithTang dynastyChina, launches anattack on Songzhouthat is repelled by Chinese forces, but is followed by the marriage of the ChinesePrincess Wenchengto Tibetan rulerSongtsän Gampo.

By topic

Arts and sciences

• TheIslamic calendaris introduced by Abu Musa al-Asha'ari. He convinces Umar I to make notes of an era for Muslims.
• March 22– Year 0 of theBurmese calendar,based on theChula Sakarat,is also used in themainland of Southeast Asia.

Religion

• October 12–Pope Honorius Idies atRomeafter a 13-year reign, and is succeeded bySeverinus,but the Byzantine emperor Heraclius will delay the new pope'sconsecrationuntil May640.
• December 20–Pyrrhus Ibecomespatriarch of Constantinople,after the death ofSergius I.He has been an advocate ofMonothelitismand a close friend of Heraclius.

639

By place

Europe

• January 19–Dagobert Idies after a 10-year reign as king of all theFranks,in which hisrealmhas prospered. He is succeeded bySigebert III(age 9), independent ruler ofAustrasia,and his half-brotherClovis II(age 2), who becomes king ofNeustriaandBurgundy.Under the supervision ofPepin of Landen,Mayor of the Palace,the royaltreasuryis distributed between the two brothers and widowed queenNanthild(regenton Clovis' behalf).

Arabian Empire

• Arab–Byzantine War:TheRashidun army(4,000 men), under the command of'Amr ibn al-'As,invadesByzantine Egypt.They capture the strategic town ofPelusium(Nile Delta) after a two-monthsiege.Arab reinforcements led byZubayr ibn al-Awwamare sent fromMedinato assist Amr's army. The losses incurred by theMuslimsare ameliorated bySinaiBedouins,tribes ofRashidaand Lakhm;they join the invaders inconquering Egypt.
• Hormuzan,PersiansatrapofSusiana(vassal of theRashidun Caliphate), revolts against the Muslims and raidsMesopotamia.Arab forces underAbu Musa al-Asha'aridestroySusain the lowerZagros Mountains.
• Plague of Emmaus:Anepidemicdisease which has broken out inEmmaus(Imwas) inPalestinestrikes the city and themilitary campsof theMuslim Arabs,killing most of its population (estimated at 25,000 people) until it subsides in October.

Asia

• TheXueyantuoassaults the Chinese-conquered vassal ofEastern Tujue.Although simultaneously fighting inKoreaagainstGoguryeo,EmperorTai Zongcommissions his famous generalLi Shijito fend off attacks in thecampaign against Xueyantuo.
• An unsuccessful revolt of PrinceKürşat(of theEastern Turks) breaks out inChina.

By topic

Religion

• EligiussucceedsAcariusasbishop of Doornik and Noyon.He becomes constituted guardian of the towns ofVermandois,which also includeGhentandKortrijk(Flanders).
• The FirstCathedral of Santa Maria Assuntais founded by theexarchIsaacofRavennaonTorcello,confirming the island's importance as a centre of population inVeniceat this date.

Significant people

• Abu Bakr
• Ali
• Khalid ibn al-Walid
• Muhammad
• Queen Seondeok of Silla
• Yazdegerd III

Births

630

• November 7–Constans II,Byzantine emperor (d.668)
• Alhfrith,king ofDeira(approximate date)
• Conon I,pope of theCatholic Church(approximate date)
• Di Renjie,chancellor of theTang dynasty(d.700)
• Fausta,Byzantine empress (approximate date)
• Nukata,Japanese poet (approximate date)
• Reineldis,Frankischsaint(approximate date)
• Sigebert III,king ofAustrasia(approximate date)

631

• Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr,son ofAbu Bakrand brought up byAli
• Temmu,emperor ofJapan(approximate date)
• Yeh Fa-shan,Daoistwonder-worker (d.720)

632

• Al-Muhallab ibn Abi Sufra,Arab general (d.702)
• Vindicianus,bishop of Cambrai(approximate date)

633

• Clovis II,king ofNeustriaandBurgundy
• Jamadevi,queen ofHariphunchai(Thailand) (approximate date)
• Wilfrid,Anglo-Saxonbishop(approximate date)

634

• Athanasius II Baldoyo,patriarch of Antioch(d.686)
• Chad of Mercia,Anglo-Saxonabbot(d.672)
• Cuthbert,Anglo-Saxonbishop(approximate date)
• En no Ozunu,Japaneseascetic(approximate date)

635

• Benedict II,pope of theCatholic Church(d.685)
• John V,pope of the Catholic Church (d.686)
• K'inich Kan B'alam II,ruler ofPalenque(d.702)
• Pepin of Herstal,Mayor of the Palace(approximate date)
• Yijing,ChineseBuddhist monkand traveler (d.713)

636

• Æthelthryth,Anglo-Saxon princess (approximate date)
• Lambert of Maastricht,bishop(approximate date)

638

• Huineng,ChineseZen Buddhistpatriarch of theTang dynasty(d.713)

639

• Aldegonde,Frankishabbess(approximate date)
• Aldhelm,bishop of Sherborne(approximate date)
• Ecgberht of Ripon,bishop ofLindisfarne(d.729)
• Yeon Namsan,military leader ofGoguryeo(d.701)

Deaths

630

• April 27–Ardashir III,king of thePersian Empire
• June 9–Shahrbaraz,king of the Persian Empire
• Du Ruhui,chancellor of the Tang dynasty (b.585)
• Ricberht,king ofEast Anglia(approximate date)

631

• Athanasius I Gammolo,Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.
• Borandukht,queen of thePersian Empire
• Cinaed mac Luchtren,king of thePicts
• Rayhana,slave and wife ofMuhammad

632

• January 27–Ibrahim,son ofMuhammad
• January 31–Máedóc,bishop ofFerns
• April 8–Charibert II,king ofAquitaine
• June 8–Muhammad,Islamic Prophet(b.570)
• August 11–Rusticula(b. c. 556), abbess of Arles
• August 28–Fatimah,daughter ofMuhammad
• October 12or633–Edwin of Northumbria,king ofDeiraandBernicia
• October 29–Saint Colman mac Duagh,Irishabbotand bishop
• Abu Dujana,companion of Muhammad
• Chilperic,son of Charibert II
• Abdullah ibn Suhayl(b.594) (martyred)
• Abu Hudhayfa ibn Utba(b.581) (martyred)
• Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfa(b. c.594–596) (martyred)
• Zayd ibn al-Khattab(b. before584) (martyred)
• Musaylimah,Arabian prophet

633

• October 12or632–Edwin,king ofNorthumbria
• Osric,king ofDeira(approximate date)
• Suintila,king of theVisigoths(approximate date)
• Dai Zhou,chancellor of theTang dynasty

634

• August 23–Abu Bakr,MuslimCaliph
• Cadwallon,king ofGwynedd(Wales)
• Eanfrith,king ofBernicia(northern England)
• Sigeberht,king ofEast Anglia(approximate date)

635

• June 25–Gao zu,emperor of the Tang dynasty (b.566)
• Chen Shuda,prince and chancellor of theTang dynasty
• Gartnait III,king of thePicts
• Wu Shihuo,father ofWu Zetian(b.559)

636

• April 4–Isidore of Seville,archbishopand scholar
• Arioald,king of theLombards
• Bahman Jadhuyih,Persian general
• Dervan,prince of theSorbs
• Ecgric,king ofEast Anglia(approximate date)
• Cwichelm,king ofWessex(approximate date)
• George Pisida,Byzantine poet (approximate date)
• Jalinus,Armeniannobleman
• Rostam Farrokhzād,Persian general (or637)
• Sa'd ibn Ubadah,companion ofMuhammad(approximate date)
• Sisenand,king of theVisigoths
• Theodore Trithyrius,Byzantine general (sacellarius)
• Zhangsun,empress of theTang dynasty(b.601)

637

• Andreas of Caesarea,bishopand writer (b.563)
• Congal Cáech,high king ofDál nAraidi(Ireland)
• John Athalarichos,illegitimateson ofHeraclius
• Maria al-Qibtiyya,concubineofMuhammad
• Mo Chua,Irish bishop and founder ofBalla
• Mo Chutu,Irishabbotand founder ofLismore Abbey
• Rostam Farrokhzād,Persian general (or636)
• Wen Yanbo,chancellor of theTang dynasty(b.575)

638

• March 11–Sophronius,patriarch ofJerusalem
• October 12–Pope Honorius I
• December 9–Sergius I,patriarch ofConstantinople
• Qin Shubao,general of the Tang dynasty
• Yu Shinan,calligrapherand official (b.558)

639

• January 19–Dagobert I,king of theFranks(b. c.603)
• February 3–K'inich Yo'nal Ahk I,ajawofPiedras Negras
• November 27–Acarius,bishop of Doornik and Noyon
• Suhayl ibn Amr(b. c.556)
• Abu Jandal ibn Suhayl(b.594-601)
• Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah,commander of theRashidun Caliphate(b.583)
• Muadh ibn Jabal,early Muslim scholar
• Shurahbil ibn Hasana,Rashidun Caliphategeneral
• Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan,general of theRashidun Caliphate
• Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib,king ofMunster(Ireland)
• Wang Gui,chancellor of theTang dynasty(b.571)
• Yang Gongren,chancellor of the Tang dynasty

References

Sources

• Akram, Agha IbrahimThe Sword of Allah:
  • Akram, A. I. (1969)."The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns".Lahore: Feroze Sons. Archived fromthe originalon February 24, 2002.RetrievedJune 8,2013.
  • Akram, Agha Ibrahim (1970).The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns.Rawalpindi: National Publishing House.ISBN978-07101-0104-4.
  • Akram, Agha Ibrahim (2004).The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed – His Life and Campaigns.Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0-19-597714-1.
• Bede."Book II".Ecclesiastical History of the English People.Internet History Sourcebooks Project.
• Bede."Book III".Ecclesiastical History of the English People.Internet History Sourcebooks Project.
• Kirby, D. P. (2000).The Earliest English Kings(revised ed.). Routledge.ISBN0-415-24211-8.
• Nicolle, David(1994).Yarmuk 636 AD: The Muslim conquest of Syria.London: Osprey. p. 62.ISBN1-85532-414-8.
• Nicolle, David(2009).The Great Islamic Conquests AD 632–750.p. 52.ISBN978-1-84603-273-8.
• al-Tabari.History of the Prophets and Kings.Vol. 2.