Directory

873 CE

Emperor Yi Zong (Li Cuī) dies after a 13-year reign. He is succeeded by his 11-year-old son Xi Zong, as ruler of the Tang Dynasty. During his reign, a widespread failure of the agricultural harvest leads to famine (which causes people to resort to cannibalism) and agrarian rebellions. The Danish Great Heathen Army, led by the Viking leaders Halfdan and Guthrum, attack Mercia and capture the royal centre at Repton (Derbyshire). The Vikings establish an encampment with a U-shape ditch, on the south bank of the River Trent and spend the winter there. Muhammad ibn Tahir, Muslim governor of Khorasan, is overthrown by the Saffarids, led by Ya'qub ibn al-Layth, who conquer the capital, Nishapur. Khorasan is annexed to their own empire in eastern Persia. The Tahirid Dynasty falls.

Conflict & Security

  • The Danish Great Heathen Army, led by the Viking leaders Halfdan and Guthrum, attack Mercia and capture the royal centre at Repton (Derbyshire). The Vikings establish an encampment with a U-shape ditch, on the south bank of the River Trent and spend the winter there.source
  • Al-Andalus: The city of Toledo (modern Spain) rises up for a second time against Umayyad rule, due to ethnic tensions over two years.source
  • Muhammad ibn Tahir, Muslim governor of Khorasan, is overthrown by the Saffarids, led by Ya'qub ibn al-Layth, who conquer the capital, Nishapur. Khorasan is annexed to their own empire in eastern Persia. The Tahirid Dynasty falls.source

Religion & Belief

  • Azugitin, Abbasid caliph Al-Mu'tamid appointed Azugitin as governor of Mosul with deputies.source

Crime & Justice

  • Carloman, son of King Charles the Bald, is hauled before a secular court and condemned to death – for plotting against his father. He is blinded, but avoids imprisonment by escaping to the East Frankish Kingdom, where his uncle, Louis the German, gives him protection.source
  • Muhammad ibn Ali al-Armani, was killed at the Caliphate - Byzantine border in 873.source

Births

  • Al-Tabarani, Muslim hadith scholar (d. 970)source
  • Abdullah al-Mahdi Billah, was the founder of the Isma'ili Fatimid Empire, the only major Shi'a caliphate in the 10th century history, and the eleventh Imam of the Isma'ili faith (d. 934)source
  • Abu Yazid, Kharijite Berber leader (d. 947)source
  • Ordoño II, king of Galicia and León (d. 924)source
  • Ahmad al-Muhajir, Muslim imam (d. 956)source
  • Fujiwara no Sadakata, Japanese poet (d. 932)source

Deaths

  • July 8 – Gunther, archbishop of Colognesource
  • August 1 – Thachulf, duke of Thuringiasource
  • August 15 – Yi Zong, emperor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 833)source
  • August 15 – Emperor Yi Zong (Li Cuī) dies after a 13-year reign. He is succeeded by his 11-year-old son Xi Zong, as ruler of the Tang Dynasty. During his reign, a widespread failure of the agricultural harvest leads to famine (which causes people to resort to cannibalism) and agrarian rebellions.source
  • Kang Chengxun, general of the Tang Dynastysource
  • John III, Syriac Orthodox patriarch of Antiochsource
  • Du Cong, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 794)source
  • Hunayn ibn Ishaq, Muslim scholar and physician (b. 809)source
  • Wei Baoheng, chancellor of the Tang Dynastysource
  • Vímara Peres, Asturian noblemansource
  • Lethlobar mac Loingsig, king of Ulaid (Ireland)source
  • Ecgberht I, king of Northumbriasource
  • Rodulf Haraldsson, Viking leadersource
  • Al-Kindi, Muslim philosopher and polymathsource