Directory

635 CE

Battle of Fahl: The Rashidun army, (30,000 men) under Khalid ibn al-Walid (known as the "Drawn Sword of God"), defeats the Byzantine forces led by Theodore Trithyrius, at Pella in the Jordan Valley (Jordan). Judicaël, high king of Domnonée (Brittany), visits King Dagobert I at his palace in Clichy (northwest of Paris), to promise he will remain under Frankish lordship. The Breton king arrives with gifts, but insults Dagobert by refusing to eat at the royal table. Christian missionaries arrive in China: Alopen, bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, preaches Nestorian Christianity in the Tang dynasty capital, Chang'an.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Emperor Heraclius makes an alliance with Kubrat, ruler (khagan) of Great Bulgaria, to break the power of the Avars on the Balkan Peninsula.source

Conflict & Security

  • January – Battle of Fahl: The Rashidun army, (30,000 men) under Khalid ibn al-Walid (known as the "Drawn Sword of God"), defeats the Byzantine forces led by Theodore Trithyrius, at Pella in the Jordan Valley (Jordan).source
  • Gaza is conquered by the Muslim Arabs under 'Amr ibn al-'As. It becomes the first city in Palestine developed into a centre of Islamic law.source
  • King Meurig of Glywysing and Gwent invades Ergyng (Archenfield), and reunites the two Welsh kingdoms (approximate date).source

Religion & Belief

  • Aidan of Lindisfarne, Irish missionary, founds the monastery of Lindisfarne in Northumbria (northern England).source
  • Birinus, Frankish missionary, converts King Cynegils of Wessex and becomes the first Bishop of Dorchester.source
  • Christian missionaries arrive in China: Alopen, bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, preaches Nestorian Christianity in the Tang dynasty capital, Chang'an.source

Culture & Society

  • Judicaël, high king of Domnonée (Brittany), visits King Dagobert I at his palace in Clichy (northwest of Paris), to promise he will remain under Frankish lordship. The Breton king arrives with gifts, but insults Dagobert by refusing to eat at the royal table.source
  • Yao Silian, Chinese historian, completes his Book of Liang. It contains the history of the Liang dynasty.source

Births

  • John V, pope of the Catholic Church (d. 686)source
  • Benedict II, pope of the Catholic Church (d. 685)source
  • Kʼinich Kan Bahlam II, ruler of Palenque (d. 702)source
  • Pepin of Herstal, Mayor of the Palace (approximate date)source
  • Yijing, Chinese Buddhist monk and traveler (d. 713)source

Deaths

  • June 25 – Gao zu, emperor of the Tang dynasty (b. 566)source
  • Chen Shuda, prince and chancellor of the Tang dynastysource
  • King Gartnait III dies after a 4-year reign, and is succeeded by his brother Bridei II, as ruler of the Picts.source
  • Wu Shihuo, father of Wu Zetian (b. 559)source
  • Gartnait III, king of the Pictssource