Directory

780 CE

Emperor Leo IV ("the Khazar") dies after a 5-year reign, in which he has been dominated by his wife Irene of Athens, an iconodule. He is succeeded by his 9-year-old son Constantine VI; due to his minority, Irene and her chief minister Staurakios exercise a regency over him. The city of Aldwych rises as an important trading centre in London, under Mercian control. King Offa of Mercia possibly establishes a royal palace at Aldermanbury, on the site of the old Roman Cripplegate fort and amphitheatre (approximate date). Borobudur, a Buddhist temple complex in Magelang (modern Indonesia), is begun (approximate date).

Conflict & Security

  • King Hyegong of Silla is killed in a revolt, terminating the kingly line of succession of former ruler Muyeol, the architect of Silla's unification of the Korean Peninsula (see 668).source

Religion & Belief

  • Borobudur, a Buddhist temple complex in Magelang (modern Indonesia), is begun (approximate date).source
  • Saxon Wars: King Charlemagne decrees the death penalty for any subdued Saxon refusing Christian baptism. Meanwhile Widukind builds up rebel strength in northern Saxony.source

Culture & Society

  • The city of Aldwych rises as an important trading centre in London, under Mercian control. King Offa of Mercia possibly establishes a royal palace at Aldermanbury, on the site of the old Roman Cripplegate fort and amphitheatre (approximate date).source
  • The city of Osnabrück, developed as a marketplace, is founded by Charlemagne (approximate date).source

Births

  • Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Ḵwārizmī, Persian mathematician (approximate date)source
  • Hugh of Tours, Frankish nobleman (approximate date)source
  • Frederick of Utrecht, Frisian bishop (approximate date)source
  • Yunyan Tansheng, Chinese Buddhist monk (d. 841)source
  • Guifeng Zongmi, Chinese Buddhist monk (d. 841)source
  • Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Muslim scholar and theologian (d. 855)source
  • Rabanus Maurus, archbishop of Mainz (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • August 19 – Credan, English abbot and saintsource
  • September 8 - Emperor Leo IV ("the Khazar") dies after a 5-year reign, in which he has been dominated by his wife Irene of Athens, an iconodule. He is succeeded by his 9-year-old son Constantine VI; due to his minority, Irene and her chief minister Staurakios exercise a regency over him.source
  • September 8 – Leo IV, Byzantine emperor (b. 750)source
  • Dunchadh ua Daimhine, king of Uí Maine (Ireland)source
  • c. June 24 – Kume no Wakame, Japanese noblewomansource
  • Approximate date – Himiltrude, queen consort of Charlemagne (b. c.742)source
  • Khun Lo, founder of Luang Prabang (Laos)source
  • Hyegong, king of Silla (Korea) (b. 758)source