Directory

980 CE

The Dari dialect (which will become the major language of Persia) is developed in the royal courts of the Samanid Empire in Central Asia. King Harald Bluetooth orders the construction of the Viking ring fortress of Trelleborg (modern Denmark). The Kilwa Sultanate, centered at Kilwa (an island off modern Tanzania), is founded by Ali ibn al-Hassan Shirazi, Persian prince of Shiraz.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • June 11 – Vladimir I (the Great), grand prince of Kiev, consolidates the Kievan realm from modern Ukraine to the Baltic Sea. Vladimir is proclaimed ruler (knyaz) of all Kievan Rus'.source
  • Peace is concluded between Emperor Otto II (the Red) and King Lothair III (or Lothair IV) at Margut, ending the Franco-German war of 978–980. Lothair renounces his claim on Lower Lorraine, while Otto promises to recognize Lothair's son Louis V as the rightful heir of the West Frankish Kingdom.source
  • The Dari dialect (which will become the major language of Persia) is developed in the royal courts of the Samanid Empire in Central Asia.source

Conflict & Security

  • Viking raids from Scandinavia threaten the southern English coast after a pause of 25 years. Hampshire and the Isle of Thanet are ravaged.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Fall – Otto II sets off on his first expedition to Italy. He leaves the government in the hands of Archchancellor Willigis. Otto is accompanied by his wife, Empress Theophanu.source
  • The Kilwa Sultanate, centered at Kilwa (an island off modern Tanzania), is founded by Ali ibn al-Hassan Shirazi, Persian prince of Shiraz.source

Religion & Belief

  • Notker (or Notger), Frankish Benedictine monk and bishop, founds the Prince-Bishopric of Liège (modern Belgium) which will remain an independent state inside the Holy Roman Empire for more than 800 years.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • King Harald Bluetooth orders the construction of the Viking ring fortress of Trelleborg (modern Denmark).source

Culture & Society

  • Winter – Otto II celebrates Christmas with his family at Ravenna. He receives the Iron Crown of Lombardy as the King of Italy.source

Births

  • July 5 – Mokjong, king of Goryeo (Korea) (d. 1009)source
  • July 15 – Ichijō, emperor of Japan (d. 1011)source
  • Farrukhi Sistani, Persian poet (approximate date)source
  • Avicenna, Persian polymath (approximate date)source
  • Xuedou Chongxian, Chinese Buddhist monk (d. 1052)source
  • Einar Thambarskelfir, Norwegian nobleman (d. 1050)source
  • Adalbero, German nobleman (approximate date)source
  • Bardo, German abbot and archbishop (approximate date)source
  • Tancred of Hauteville, Norman nobleman (d. 1041)source
  • Sviatopolk I, Grand Prince of Kiev (approximate date)source
  • Humbert I, founder of the House of Savoy (approximate date)source
  • Pope Nicholas II, pope of the Catholic Church (d. 1061)source
  • Abu Mansur al-Baghdadi, Persian scholar (d. 1037)source
  • Olof Skötkonung, king of Sweden (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • February 15 – Berthold, German nobleman (approximate date)source
  • September 28 – Minamoto no Hiromasa, Japanese nobleman (b. 918)source
  • Ibn Khalawayh, Persian scholar and grammar (or 981)source
  • Yaropolk I, Grand Prince of Kiev (approximate date)source
  • Liu Chang, emperor of Southern Han (b. 942)source
  • Eoghan Ua Cathain, abbot of Clonfert (Ireland)source
  • Dado (or Dodon), Italian nobleman (approximate date)source
  • Gunnhild, Norwegian Viking queen (approximate date)source
  • Domnall ua Néill (or Donal O'Neill), High King of Irelandsource