Directory

729 CE

In Denmark, construction of the Kanhave Canal across the island of Samsø is completed. Although the canal is only about 500 metres long, it is one of the largest engineering projects undertaken in Denmark during the Early Middle Ages. Chinese eating sticks are introduced in the next 20 years in Japan, where people heretofore have used one-piece pincers. The Japanese call them hashi. Siege of Kamarja: A small Arab garrison defends the fortress of Kamarja against the Turgesh for 58 days, ending with a negotiated withdrawal to Samarkand.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • An alliance between Duke Eudes of Aquitaine and Munuza, the Moorish governor of Cerdanya, is cemented by marriage to Eudes' illegitimate daughter Lampégia.source
  • King Osric of Northumbria nominates Ceolwulf, a distant cousin and brother of Coenred, as his successor. After Osric's death, Ceolwulf takes the throne.source

Conflict & Security

  • Battle of Ravenna: Byzantine troops under Eutychius, exarch of Ravenna, are defeated by an Italian force, raised by Gregory II, in opposition to iconoclasm.source
  • Siege of Kamarja: A small Arab garrison defends the fortress of Kamarja against the Turgesh for 58 days, ending with a negotiated withdrawal to Samarkand.source
  • Battle of Baykand: The Umayyad Arabs narrowly escape disaster when cut off from water by the Turgesh, and push through to reach Bukhara in Transoxiana.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • In Denmark, construction of the Kanhave Canal across the island of Samsø is completed. Although the canal is only about 500 metres long, it is one of the largest engineering projects undertaken in Denmark during the Early Middle Ages.source

Health & Medicine

  • Chinese eating sticks are introduced in the next 20 years in Japan, where people heretofore have used one-piece pincers. The Japanese call them hashi.source

Births

  • Du Huangchang, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (or 728)source
  • Li Huaiguang, general of the Tang Dynasty (d. 785)source
  • Abu Yusuf, Arab jurist and chief adviser (approximate date; d. 798)source

Deaths

  • May 9 – Osric, king of Northumbriasource
  • Shen Quanqi, Chinese poet and official (b. 650)source
  • Nagaya, Japanese prince and politician (b. 684)source
  • Ecgberht of Ripon, bishop of Lindisfarne (b. 639)source