Directory

609 CE

The Pantheon in Rome is consecrated as "St. Mary and the Martyrs" (informally known as "Santa Maria Rotonda") by Pope Boniface IV (or 610). Muhammad claims to have received what was to become the first wahy of Islam. The Sui dynasty government records a tax census of roughly 9 million registered households in the Chinese Empire, a population size of roughly 50 million people.

Conflict & Security

  • Nicetas, cousin of future emperor Heraclius, launches an overland invasion in Egypt. He defeats a Byzantine army under Bonus (comes Orientis) outside Alexandria, sent from Constantinople.source
  • Battle of Dhi Qar: Arab tribesmen of Bakr ibn Wa'il defeat a Persian force (5,000 men), at a watering place near Kufa (Southern Iraq).source
  • Shibi Khan becomes the ninth ruler (khagan) of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate (approximate date).source

Religion & Belief

  • May 13 – The Pantheon in Rome is consecrated as "St. Mary and the Martyrs" (informally known as "Santa Maria Rotonda") by Pope Boniface IV (or 610).source
  • December 22 – Muhammad claims to have received what was to become the first wahy of Islam.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • Emperor Yángdi completes the Grand Canal; it provides an unbroken inland ship transport between the Yellow and Yangtze rivers. The canal network is 1,776 km (1,400 miles) long—linking five river systems—and extends from Beijing to the city of Hangzhou.source

Health & Medicine

  • The Sui dynasty government records a tax census of roughly 9 million registered households in the Chinese Empire, a population size of roughly 50 million people.source

Births

  • Hafsa bint Umar, wife of Muhammad (approximate date)source
  • Audoin, bishop of Rouen (d. 686)source

Deaths

  • Yang Lihua, empress of Northern Zhou (b. 561)source
  • Venantius Fortunatus, Latin poet and bishop (or 600)source
  • Zuhayr bin Abi Sulma, Arabian poet (approx.)source
  • Qamishoʿ, Syriac Orthodox Grand Metropolitan of the East.source