Directory

618 CE

The Sui dynasty ends: Rebel leader Li Yuan captures Luoyang, and has Emperor Yángdi murdered. He proclaims himself emperor Gao Zu and establishes the Tang dynasty, one of the most notable dynasties in Chinese history, which will last for almost 300 years. Battle of Yanshi: Wang Shichong decisively defeats Li Mi, during the transition from Sui to Tang civil war. Battle of Qianshuiyuan: The Tang dynasty scores a decisive victory over their rival Xue Rengao.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Yeongnyu becomes ruler of the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo.source
  • Tong Yabghu Qaghan becomes the new ruler (khagan) of the Western Turkic Khaganate, founding the Khazar Khaganate. He maintains close relations with the Tang dynasty, and possibly marries into the imperial family.source

Conflict & Security

  • October 6 – Battle of Yanshi: Wang Shichong decisively defeats Li Mi, during the transition from Sui to Tang civil war.source
  • November 29 – Battle of Qianshuiyuan: The Tang dynasty scores a decisive victory over their rival Xue Rengao.source
  • Byzantine–Sassanian War: A Persian expeditionary force under Shahrbaraz invades Egypt, and occupies the province. After defeating the Byzantine garrisons in the Nile Valley, the Persians march across the Libyan Desert as far as Cyrene.source
  • The Persians besiege Alexandria; the defence of the city is led by Nicetas (cousin of emperor Heraclius). The Byzantine resistance is undermined by a blockade of the harbor; the usual grain supplies are cut off from Egypt to Constantinople.source

Health & Medicine

  • Songtsän Gampo becomes the first emperor of the Tibetan Empire, after his father Namri Songtsen is poisoned. During his reign he expands Tibet's power beyond Lhasa (Tibetan Plateau) and the Yarlung Valley.source

Crime & Justice

  • June 18 – The Sui dynasty ends: Rebel leader Li Yuan captures Luoyang, and has Emperor Yángdi murdered. He proclaims himself emperor Gao Zu and establishes the Tang dynasty, one of the most notable dynasties in Chinese history, which will last for almost 300 years.source

Deaths

  • April 11 – Emperor Yang of Sui, emperor of the Sui dynasty (b. 569)source
  • September 3 – Xue Ju, emperor of Qinsource
  • November 8 – Pope Adeodatus I dies in Rome after a 3-year reign, in which he has reversed the policies of his predecessors, Boniface IV and Gregory I, who favored monks over the secular clergy. Adeodatus will not be replaced until next year.source
  • December 14 – Xue Rengao, emperor of Qinsource
  • Yeongyang, king of Goguryeo (Korea)source
  • Yang Jian, prince of the Sui dynasty (b. 585)source
  • Namri Songtsen, king of Tibet (approximate date)source
  • Kevin of Glendalough, Irish abbot (b. 498)source
  • Shikui Khagan, ruler of the Western Turkic Khaganatesource
  • Yu Shiji, official of the Chen- and Sui dynastysource
  • Fíngen mac Áedo Duib, king of Munster (Ireland)source
  • Dou Wei, chancellor of the Tang dynastysource
  • Yang Xiu, prince of the Sui dynastysource
  • Yang Hao, prince of the Sui dynasty (b. 586)source