Directory

577 CE

A predecessor of the modern match, small sticks of pinewood impregnated with sulfur, are first used in China. Besieged by military forces of Northern Zhou and Chen, Northern Qi court ladies use the "lighting sticks" to start fires for cooking and heating. The Temple of Dendur, dedicated to the Egyptian gods Isis, Harpocrates (Horus) and Osiris, is converted for use as a Christian church (approximate date). Summer – Tiberius, Byzantine co-ruler (Caesar), establishes a naval base at Derbent on the Caspian Sea to construct a Byzantine fleet (approximate date).

Conflict & Security

  • Byzantine–Sassanid War: A Byzantine expeditionary force under command of Justinian (magister militum) invades Caucasian Albania, launching raids across the Caspian Sea against the Persians.source
  • A predecessor of the modern match, small sticks of pinewood impregnated with sulfur, are first used in China. Besieged by military forces of Northern Zhou and Chen, Northern Qi court ladies use the "lighting sticks" to start fires for cooking and heating.source
  • Battle of Deorham: The Anglo-Saxons under Ceawlin of Wessex invade the lower Severn Valley, and defeat the British Celts at Dyrham (South West England). After the battle, the Saxons occupy the three cities: Cirencester, Gloucester and Bath, bringing their advance to the Bristol Channel (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).source
  • Winter – Maurice is appointed commander-in-chief of the Byzantine army in the East. He succeeds Justinian, despite complete lack of military experience.source
  • Winter – Northern Qi, one of the Northern Dynasties, is conquered by Northern Zhou under Emperor Wu Di. He orders the last ruler (Gao Wei) and other members of the Gao clan to commit suicide. Northern China, above the Yangtze River, is once again brought under the control of a single power.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Summer – Tiberius, Byzantine co-ruler (Caesar), establishes a naval base at Derbent on the Caspian Sea to construct a Byzantine fleet (approximate date).source

Religion & Belief

  • The Temple of Dendur, dedicated to the Egyptian gods Isis, Harpocrates (Horus) and Osiris, is converted for use as a Christian church (approximate date).source
  • Eutychius is restored as patriarch of Constantinople, after an exile of 12 years at Amasia (modern Turkey).source

Culture & Society

  • Reccopolis (modern Zorita de los Canes) in Hispania is founded by King Liuvigild, in honour of his son Reccared.source

Births

  • Uthman ibn Affan, Muslim Caliph (d. 656)source
  • Princess Ningyuan, Chinese princesssource
  • Pope Agatho (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • August 31 – John Scholasticus, patriarch of Constantinoplesource
  • Mu Tipo, high official of Northern Qisource
  • Gao Yanzong, prince of Northern Qisource
  • Muhammad, age 6, returns to his immediate family, but within a year his mother Aminah bint Wahb dies.source
  • Aminah bint Wahb, mother of Muhammadsource
  • Brendan, Irish abbot (approximate date)source
  • Gao Heng, emperor of Northern Qi (b. 570)source
  • Lu Lingxuan, noblewoman of Northern Qisource
  • Xiao Zhuang, prince of the Southern Dynasties (b. 548)source
  • Gao Wei, emperor of Northern Qi (b. 557)source