Directory

588 CE

First Perso-Turkic War: A Persian army (12,000 men) under Bahrām Chobin, supported by Cataphracts (heavy cavalry), ambush the invading Turks, and win a great victory at the Battle of the Hyrcanian Rock. Summer – Guaram I of Iberia, Georgian prince in exile, is sent by Emperor Maurice to the city of Mtskheta (Georgia). He restores the monarchy and is bestowed with the Byzantine court title of curopalates. Byzantine-Sassanid War: Unpaid Byzantine troops mutiny against Priscus (magister militum per Orientem). King Hormizd IV begins a Persian offensive, but is defeated at Martyropolis (modern Turkey).

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Æthelric succeeds his father Ælla as king of Deira in Northern England.source
  • Summer – Guaram I of Iberia, Georgian prince in exile, is sent by Emperor Maurice to the city of Mtskheta (Georgia). He restores the monarchy and is bestowed with the Byzantine court title of curopalates.source

Conflict & Security

  • Emperor Wéndi of the Sui dynasty prepares a campaign against the Chen dynasty. He amasses 518,000 troops along the northern bank of the Yangtze River, stretching from Sichuan to the Pacific Ocean.source
  • First Perso-Turkic War: A Persian army (12,000 men) under Bahrām Chobin, supported by Cataphracts (heavy cavalry), ambush the invading Turks, and win a great victory at the Battle of the Hyrcanian Rock.source
  • Byzantine-Sassanid War: Unpaid Byzantine troops mutiny against Priscus (magister militum per Orientem). King Hormizd IV begins a Persian offensive, but is defeated at Martyropolis (modern Turkey).source
  • The Franks and Burgundians under King Guntram and his nephew Childebert II invade Northern Italy, but suffer a disastrous defeat against the Lombards.source

Religion & Belief

  • The Skellig Michael monastery is founded on a steep rocky island off the coast of Ireland (approximate date).source
  • The Lombard Kingdom (Italy) is converted to Roman Catholicism under the rule of King Authari (approximate date).source
  • The Guanghua Temple in Putian (China) is built during the Chen dynasty, under Emperor Chen Wu Di.source

Births

  • Yu Zhining, chancellor of the Tang dynasty (d. 665)source
  • Eligius, bishop and saint (approximate date)source
  • Suintila, king of the Visigoths (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • Ælla, king of Deira (approximate date)source
  • Áed mac Bricc, Irish bishop and saintsource
  • Li Ezi, empress of Northern Zhou (b. 536)source
  • Fridianus, Irish prince and saintsource