Directory

712 CE

Emperor Rui Zong abdicates after a brief reign, in favor of his 27-year-old son Xuan Zong, who ascends the imperial throne of the Tang dynasty (China). King Dae Jo-yeong of Balhae (Korea) resumes tributary payments to the Tang dynasty. The Tai peoples are forced to accept Chinese sovereignty (approximate date). The Kojiki (Record of Ancient Times), a history of Japan, is completed.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • September 8 – Emperor Rui Zong abdicates after a brief reign, in favor of his 27-year-old son Xuan Zong, who ascends the imperial throne of the Tang dynasty (China).source
  • King Dae Jo-yeong of Balhae (Korea) resumes tributary payments to the Tang dynasty. The Tai peoples are forced to accept Chinese sovereignty (approximate date).source

Conflict & Security

  • Umayyad conquest of Hispania: From North Africa, Musa ibn Nusayr lands in Iberia (Al-Andalus), with an army of 18,000 Arabs and Berbers. He joins the Islamic conquest and captures the city of Seville (Andalusia), where he meets stiff resistance after 3-months of siege.source
  • Xuan Zong reestablishes control over the Oxus and Jaxartes valleys. During his reign he defeats the invading Arab armies, in a series of campaigns in Fergana.source
  • Arab forces under Qutayba ibn Muslim conquer Khwarezm and Samarkand (modern Uzbekistan).source
  • The Bulgars under Tervel, ruler (khagan) of the Bulgarian Empire, raid Thrace and reach the city walls of Constantinople. Skirmishes continue until 716; Emperor Philippicus transfers a Byzantine army from the Opsikion Theme in Asia Minor, to police the Balkan Peninsula.source

Culture & Society

  • The Kojiki (Record of Ancient Times), a history of Japan, is completed.source

Births

  • Rupert of Bingen, patron saint (d. 732)source
  • Abdallah ibn Ali, Muslim general (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • February – King Ansprand dies, and is succeeded by his son Liutprand as ruler of the Lombards. During his reign, Liutprand becomes the greatest of the Lombard Kings. Coins and documents from his court at Pavia confirm the impression of a strong and effective monarch.source
  • Fazang, Chinese Buddhist patriarch (b. 643)source
  • Aripert II, king of the Lombards (or 711)source
  • Vindicianus, bishop of Cambrai (approximate date)source
  • Anas ibn Malik, well known sahaba. (b. 611 or 612)source
  • Idwal Iwrch, king of Gwynedd (Wales)source
  • Ansprand, king of the Lombardssource
  • Khri ma lod, empress of the Tibetan Empiresource
  • Cú Cherca mac Fáeláin, king of Osraige (Ireland)source
  • Bran ua Máele Dúin, king of the Uí Ceinnselaig (Ireland)source
  • Ali ibn Husayn, fourth Shia Imamsource