Directory

726 CE

Itzamnaaj K'awiil, the ruler of the Mayan city state at Dos Pilas in Guatemala since 698, dies after a 28-year reign. Seismic activity in the Mediterranean Sea: The volcanic island of Thera erupts, while the city of Jerash (in present-day Jordan) suffers a major earthquake. The first annual Sumo tournament in Japan is held by Emperor Shōmu (approximate date).

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Dúngal mac Selbaig is deposed as king of Dál Riata (Scotland). He is succeeded by Eochaid mac Echdach (a son of former king Eochaid mac Domangairt).source

Conflict & Security

  • King Ine of Wessex resigns his crown, and travels on a pilgrimage to Rome. He is succeeded by his brother-in-law (and probably distant cousin) Æthelheard.source
  • Umayyad conquest of Gaul: Muslim raiders under Abdul Rahman al-Ghafiqi, current governor of Septimania, devastate Avignon, Viviers, Valence, Vienne and Lyon (approximate date).source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Arab–Byzantine War: Muslim forces under Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik resume their expedition against Anatolia (modern Turkey). In a large-scale raid they plunder the fortress city of Caesarea.source

Religion & Belief

  • Council of Manzikert in Armenian and West Syriac churchessource
  • Benedictine abbey of Neuwiller founded by bishop Sigibald of Metz.source
  • Abbo of Provence, Frankish nobleman, founds Novalesa Abbey in Piedmont (Northern Italy).source
  • Emperor Leo III issues a series of edicts banning the veneration of images (726–729), and launching the iconoclastic controversies. Most of the clergy – particularly in Italy and Greece – are opposed to these edicts with uncompromising hostility, and in the western parts of the Byzantine Empire the people refuse to obey his religious reforms.source

Climate & Environment

  • Seismic activity in the Mediterranean Sea: The volcanic island of Thera erupts, while the city of Jerash (in present-day Jordan) suffers a major earthquake.source

Culture & Society

  • The first annual Sumo tournament in Japan is held by Emperor Shōmu (approximate date).source

Births

  • Paulinus II, patriarch of Aquileia (approximate date)source
  • Grifo, Frankish duke and son of Charles Martel (d. 753)source

Deaths

  • October 22 – Itzamnaaj K'awiil, a Maya ruler of Dos Pilassource
  • October 22 – Itzamnaaj K'awiil, the ruler of the Mayan city state at Dos Pilas in Guatemala since 698, dies after a 28-year reign.source
  • Anbasa ibn Suhaym al-Kalbi, Muslim governorsource
  • Marcello Tegalliano, second Doge of Venice, dies after a 9-year reign.source
  • Oda of Scotland, Christian saint (approximate date)source
  • Marcello Tegalliano, doge of Venicesource