Directory

641 CE

Constantine III, age 29, dies of tuberculosis after a four-month reign, leaving his half-brother Heraklonas sole emperor. Rumors spread that Constantine has been poisoned by Heraclius's second wife (and niece) Martina. The Byzantine Senate turns against Martina and her son Heraklonas, who are both mutilated, and exiled to Rhodes. Supported by general Valentinus, Constantine's son Constans II, age 10, succeeds to the throne. Siege of Alexandria: Muslim Arabs under 'Amr ibn al-'As capture Alexandria after a six-month siege. Byzantine officials formally capitulate to Amr, turning the city over to Arab hands.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • The Lombards under King Rothari conquer Genoa (Liguria), and all remaining Byzantine territories in the lower Po Valley, including Oderzo (Opitergium).source

Conflict & Security

  • November 8 – Siege of Alexandria: Muslim Arabs under 'Amr ibn al-'As capture Alexandria after a six-month siege. Byzantine officials formally capitulate to Amr, turning the city over to Arab hands.source
  • Uija becomes the last king of the Korean kingdom of Baekje.source
  • Constans II establishes a new civil-military defensive organisation, based upon geographical military districts. Byzantine forces maintain the frontier, along the line of the Taurus Mountains (Southern Turkey).source
  • Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty (China) instigates a civil war in the Western Turkic Khaganate, by supporting Isbara Yabghu Qaghan.source
  • Prince Oswiu of Bernicia conquers Gododdin (or "The Old North") as far north as Manau (modern Scotland), on behalf of his half-brother, King Oswald (approximate date).source
  • The Muslim conquest of Egypt continues, with the siege of Alexandria.source

Religion & Belief

  • The city of Fustat (later Cairo) is founded in Egypt. It becomes the first capital of Egypt under Muslim rule.source

Health & Medicine

  • September – The Byzantine Senate turns against Martina and her son Heraklonas, who are both mutilated, and exiled to Rhodes. Supported by general Valentinus, Constantine's son Constans II, age 10, succeeds to the throne.source

Births

  • Asparukh, ruler (khan) of the First Bulgarian Empire (d. 701)source

Deaths

  • February 11 – Emperor Heraclius, age 65, dies of dropsy at Constantinople after a 31-year reign. He reorganized the imperial administration, but lost Armenia, parts of Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Byzantine Mesopotamia to the Muslim Arabs. Heraclius is succeeded by his sons Constantine III and Heraklonas.source
  • February 11 – Heraclius, Byzantine emperorsource
  • May – Constantine III, age 29, dies of tuberculosis after a four-month reign, leaving his half-brother Heraklonas sole emperor. Rumors spread that Constantine has been poisoned by Heraclius's second wife (and niece) Martina.source
  • November 17 – Emperor Jomei of Japan, age 48, dies after a 12-year reign.source
  • November 17 – Emperor Jomei of Japan (b. 593)source
  • Arechis I, duke of Benevento (northeast of Naples), dies after a 50-year reign and is succeeded by his son Aiulf I.source
  • Aega, Mayor of the Palace (Neustria and Burgundy)source
  • King Bridei II dies after a 5-year reign, and is succeeded by his brother Talorc III as ruler of the Picts.source
  • Aega, Mayor of the Palace and regent (alongside of queen mother Nanthild) of Neustria and Burgundy, dies during the reign of King Clovis II. He is replaced by Erchinoald, a relative of Dagobert I's mother.source
  • Mu, king of Baekje (one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea)source
  • Emperor Constantine III of the Byzantine Empiresource
  • Arechis I, duke of Benevento (Italy)source
  • Ouyang Xun, Confucian scholar and calligrapher (b. 557)source
  • Zaynab bint Jahsh, wife of Muhammadsource