Directory

982 CE

Chinese Emperor Jingzong dies in camp during a hunting trip after a 13-year reign. He is succeeded by his 11-year-old son, Shengzong, as ruler of the Khitan-led Liao Dynasty. His mother, Empress Dowager Xiao Yanyan becomes the regent. The Indian Rashtrakuta Dynasty ends as its last ruler Indra IV commits Sallekhana (the Jain religious practice of voluntarily starving oneself to death). 'Adud al-Dawla, emir (king of kings) of the Buyid Dynasty, concludes a 10-year peace treaty with the Byzantine Empire. He establishes what will soon become the most important hospital of Baghdad.

Conflict & Security

  • July 13 (or 14) – Battle of Stilo: Abu'l-Qasim is cornered by the imperial German forces led by Otto II at Cape Colonna (south of Crotone). After a violent clash, the German heavy cavalry destroys the Muslim centre, killing al-Qasim in the initial fighting. The Saracens hold together and draw Otto into a trap, encircling and defeating his forces (killing around 4,000 men).source
  • Summer – Emperor Otto II (the Red) assembles an imperial expeditionary force at Taranto, and proceeds along the gulf coast towards Calabria. In the meantime, Emir Abu'l-Qasim (Kalbid) of the Emirate of Sicily declares a Holy War (jihad) against the Germans, but his forces retreat when he notices the unexpected strength of Otto's troops (not far from Rossano).source
  • King Harald Bluetooth invades Norway, pillaging southwest Norway all the way to Stad, where he encounters Haakon Sigurdsson (the de facto ruler of Norway) and his army. He flees back to Denmark, ending the invasion.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Erik the Red establishes the first Viking colonies in Greenland (see 981).source

Health & Medicine

  • 'Adud al-Dawla, emir (king of kings) of the Buyid Dynasty, concludes a 10-year peace treaty with the Byzantine Empire. He establishes what will soon become the most important hospital of Baghdad.source

Climate & Environment

  • The Indian Rashtrakuta Dynasty ends as its last ruler Indra IV commits Sallekhana (the Jain religious practice of voluntarily starving oneself to death).source

Births

  • Judith of Brittany, duchess of Normandy (d. 1017)source
  • Atiśa, Bengali Buddhist religious leader (d. 1054)source
  • Dirk III (or Theodoric), count of Holland (d. 1039)source

Deaths

  • January 2 – Dětmar (or Dietmar), bishop of Praguesource
  • July 13 (or 14) – Battle of Stilo:source
  • October 13 – Chinese Emperor Jingzong dies in camp during a hunting trip after a 13-year reign. He is succeeded by his 11-year-old son, Shengzong, as ruler of the Khitan-led Liao Dynasty. His mother, Empress Dowager Xiao Yanyan becomes the regent.source
  • October 13 – Jing Zong, emperor of the Liao Dynasty (b. 948)source
  • November 26 – Matilda, queen of Burgundy (or 981)source
  • Adalbert becomes bishop of Prague after the death of Dětmar (or Dietmar).source
  • Abu'l-Husain Utbi, Samanid viziersource
  • Senorina, Galician abbess and saintsource
  • Wang Pu, Chinese chancellor (b. 922)source
  • Al-Hasan ibn Ubayd Allah ibn Tughj, Ikhshidid prince and regentsource
  • Abu'l-Qasim, Kalbid emir of Sicilysource
  • Jordan, bishop of Poland (or 984)source
  • Shabbethai Donnolo, Jewish physician (b. 913)source
  • Indra IV, Rashtrakuta ruler (India)source