Directory

695 CE

Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil ("Eighteen Rabbit") becomes the new ruler of the Mayan city state of Copán in Honduras upon the death of Chan Imix K'awiil, and rules until his death in 736. King Wihtred of Kent, who maintains Kentish independence against the growing expansion of Mercia, issues one of the earliest known law codes of Britain. The Saxons defeat the Bructeri between the Lippe and the Ruhr, and occupy Westphalia in Germany (approximate date).

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • September 6 – King Wihtred of Kent, who maintains Kentish independence against the growing expansion of Mercia, issues one of the earliest known law codes of Britain.source
  • The population of Byzantium revolts under Leontios, the strategos (military governor) of the Anatolic Theme, and proclaims him emperor. Justinian II is deposed and his nose is cut off (leading to his subsequent nickname of "the Slit-nosed"). He is exiled to Cherson (Crimea), and begins to plot an attempt to retake the throne.source
  • Childebert III succeeds Clovis IV as sole king of the Franks. He is the son of Theuderic III and becomes a puppet—a roi fainéant—of Pepin of Herstal, mayor of the palace of Austrasia.source

Conflict & Security

  • The Saxons defeat the Bructeri between the Lippe and the Ruhr, and occupy Westphalia in Germany (approximate date).source
  • The Mayan city state of Tikal defeats Calakmul in what is now Guatemala, ending a centuries-long rivalry, but ushering in another century of warfare that ultimately leads to both cities' abandonment in the 9th century.source

Religion & Belief

  • November 21 – Willibrord, Northumbrian missionary, becomes the first bishop of Utrecht (Netherlands). He returns to Frisia to preach, and builds numerous churches (approximate date).source
  • Suitbert, Anglo-Saxon missionary, founds a monastery at Kaiserswerth (near Düsseldorf) in Germany (approximate date).source

Culture & Society

  • Pepin institutes his son Drogo as mayor of the palace of Burgundy. His younger son Grimoald II becomes mayor of the palace of Neustria.source
  • Willibrord establishes a Benedictine training centre for priests and young noblemen. This seminary later becomes Utrecht University.source
  • King Aldfrith of Northumbria marries Princess Cuthburh, sister of King Ine of Wessex (approximate date).source

Births

  • Emperor Shang of Tang, Chinese ruler (or 698)source
  • Zayd ibn Ali, Arab imam and grandson of Husayn ibn Ali (d. 740)source
  • Muhammad ibn al-Qasim, Umayyad general (d. 715)source
  • Kibi no Makibi, Japanese scholar (d. 775)source
  • Ōtomo no Koshibi, Japanese general (d. 777)source
  • Herlindis of Maaseik, Frankish abbess (approximate date)source
  • Theophilus of Edessa, Greek astrologer (d. 785)source
  • Fujiwara no Maro, Japanese statesman (d. 737)source

Deaths

  • June 15 – Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil ("Eighteen Rabbit") becomes the new ruler of the Mayan city state of Copán in Honduras upon the death of Chan Imix K'awiil, and rules until his death in 736.source
  • Ado, duke of Friuli (Northern Italy)source
  • Chan Imix K'awiil, Mayan ruler (ajaw)source
  • Stephen the Persian, chief eunuch and sakellarios of the Byzantine Empire under Justinian IIsource
  • Ansbert of Rouen, Frankish bishopsource
  • Sæbbi, king of Kent (approximate date)source