950s

Millennium:	1st millennium
Centuries:	9th century–10th century–11th century
Decades:	920s930s940s–950s–960s970s980s
Years:	950951952953954955956957958959
Categories:	Births–Deaths–Architecture Establishments–Disestablishments

The950swas a decade that started on 1 January 950 and ended on 31 December 959. It is distinct from the decade known as the96th decadewhich began on January 1, 961. and ended on December 31, 960.

950

• World population is thought to be 250 million.
• DukeBoleslav I of Bohemiamakes peace withOtto I.
• TheLater Han DynastyinChinafalls.

Births

• June 12 –Emperor Reizeiof Japan
• Erik the Red

Deaths

• Hywel Dda( "the Good" ) ofWales
• Al-Farabi,philosopher

951

• Allat theMaharanaofMewarcomes to power.
• TheLater Zhou Dynastyis founded byGuo WeiinChina.
• TheNorthern HanKingdom is founded byLiu Minin northernChina.

Births

• Gregory of Narek,Armenian monk, poet, andtheologian
• Saint Romuald

Deaths

• Emperor Shizongof theLiao Dynasty
• 2 January –Liu Chengyou,Emperor Yin of theLater Han Dynasty

952

• Kalbidforces defeat theByzantinesinCalabria.

Births

• Emperor Gongdi of Later Zhou

Deaths

• Emperor Suzakuof Japan
• Hugh, Duke of Burgundy

953

• Liudolf, Duke of SwabiaandConrad the Redrebel againstGerman KingOtto I.

Births

• Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine
• Herbert III, Count of Vermandois
• Al-Karaji,Persian mathematician and engineer
• Kisai Marvazi,Persianpoet

Deaths

• Abas I of Armenia,King ofArmenia
• Ismail al-Mansur.thirdFatimidCaliph
• Empress DowagerYingtianof theLiao Dynasty
• Muhammad bin Musafir,Sallaridruler ofTarumandIranian Azerbaijan
• Rasso,Bavariancount, military leader,pilgrim,andsaint.
• Rhodri ap Hywel,king ofDeheubarth

954

• KingMáel Coluim I of Scotlandis killed in battle against the Highlanders. He is succeeded byIndulf I of Scotland.
• ChateauChinonis built byTheobald I of Blois.
• Edredbecomes king of all England.

Births

• Alphege,Archbishop of Canterbury
• Wang Yucheng

Deaths

• September 10 – KingLouis IV of France
• KingEric I of Norway
• Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou
• Feng Tao
• Liu Min

955

• August 10 –Otto I the GreatdefeatsMagyarsin theBattle of Lechfeld.
• EadwigbecomesKing of England.
• December 16 –Pope John XIIsucceedsPope Agapetus IIas the 130thpope.

Births

• Ælfric of Eynsham,Englishabbot

Deaths

• November 23 –Eadred,King of England

956

• Anearthquakebadly damages theLighthouse of Alexandria.

Deaths

• April 8 –Gilbert of Chalon,Duke of Burgundy
• Ali al-Masudi,Arab historian, geographer and philosopher

957

• Japan:TheTenryakuEra ends, and theTentokuEra begins.
• The Chandra Hindu Dynasty ends. This starts a time of chaos in areas belonging to modern-dayIndia.
• Olga of Kievconverts to theEastern Orthodox Church

Births

• Gormlaith of Lienster, wife of Olaf Cuarran, Malachy II and Brian Boru

Deaths

• September 6 –Liudolf, Duke of Swabia

958

• Probable date of the start of theMarche dynasty.
• King Kshemgupta ofKashmirdies. He is succeeded by his young son Abhimanyu.Didda,his mother, becomesde factoruler.
• TheLater Zhou Dynastygoes againstLiao Dynastypositions in theSixteen Prefectures.They are defeated.
• Battle of Raban:ByzantinesunderJohn TzimiskesdefeatSayf al-Dawla

Births

• Basil II,Byzantine Emperor
• Samuil of Bulgaria
• Vladimir I,Prince ofKievan Rus

Deaths

• KingGorm the Old of Denmark
• Masudi,Arab geographer, historian, and physicist
• Tuathal mac Augaire, King of Leinster, Ireland

959

• October 1 –Edgarbecomes King of England.
• DunstanbecomesbishopofWorcester, EnglandandLondon.
• Bruno I, Archbishop of Colognedivides theDuchy of Lorrainewith his nephew Frederic.

Births

• Emperor En'yūof Japan

Deaths

• October 1 – KingEadwig of England
• November 9 –Constantine VII,Byzantine Emperor
• Ælfsige,Archbishop of Canterbury
• Chai Rong