Directory

601 CE

Food production increases in northern and Western Europe as a result of agricultural technology introduced by the Slavs, who employ a lightweight plow with a knife blade (coulter), that cuts deep into the soil at grassroots level, together with a shaped board, or "moldboard", that moves the cut soil to one side. The future Archbishops of Canterbury (Mellitus, Justus, and Honorius), and the future Archbishop of York Paulinus, are sent to England by Pope Gregory I to aid Augustine in his missionary work. Gregory writes the decretal Libellus responsionum to Augustine. The Qieyun, a Chinese character rhyme dictionary, is published.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • The Franks, Merovingians and Carolingians successively control most of Europe, while strong feudal lords rise in power to gain the allegiance of the people.source

Conflict & Security

  • Balkan Campaign: A Byzantine army under command of Peter, brother of Emperor Maurice, crosses the Danube and advances to the Tisza River, where it defeats the Avars.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • The Lombards under King Agilulf expand into Northern Italy, establishing a settlement with the Franks and maintaining intermittent relationships with Rome.source

Religion & Belief

  • The future Archbishops of Canterbury (Mellitus, Justus, and Honorius), and the future Archbishop of York Paulinus, are sent to England by Pope Gregory I to aid Augustine in his missionary work. Gregory writes the decretal Libellus responsionum to Augustine.source

Climate & Environment

  • Food production increases in northern and Western Europe as a result of agricultural technology introduced by the Slavs, who employ a lightweight plow with a knife blade (coulter), that cuts deep into the soil at grassroots level, together with a shaped board, or "moldboard", that moves the cut soil to one side.source

Culture & Society

  • The Qieyun, a Chinese character rhyme dictionary, is published.source

Births

  • September 13 – Ali, central figure in Shia Islam (d. 661)source
  • Zhangsun, empress of the Tang dynasty (d. 636)source
  • Hongren, Chán (Buddhist) patriarch of the Tang dynasty (d. 674)source
  • Sigebert II, king of Austrasia and Burgundy (d. 613)source
  • Ma Zhou, chancellor of the Tang dynasty (d. 648)source

Deaths

  • March 13 or 600 – Leander, bishop of Sevillesource
  • Bertha of Kent, Frankish-born Anglo-Saxon queen consort, canonized (b. c.565) (approximate date)source
  • Liuva II, age 18, succeeds his father Reccared I as king of the Visigoths. Reccared dies a natural death at the capital in Toledo after a 15-year reign.source
  • Reccared I, king of the Visigoths (b. 559)source
  • Sophia, Byzantine Empress consort (approximate date)source