7th century

history

The 7th century is the period from 601 to 700 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian/Common Era.

Overview

The Muslim conquests began after the death of Muhammad in 632. Islam expanded beyond the Arabian Peninsula under the Rashidun Caliphate (632-661) and the Umayyad Caliphate (661-750). The Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century led to the downfall of the Sassanid Empire. Also conquered during the 6th century were Syria, Armenia, Egypt, and North Africa.

The Eastern Empire continued suffering setbacks during the rapid expansion of the Arab Empire. Although life in the countryside deteriorated, Constantinople grew to become the largest and wealthiest city in the world. It is estimated that the Plague of Justinian killed as many as 100 million people across the world. It caused the Europe's population to drop by around 50% between 550 and 700. It also may have contributed to the success of the Arabs.[http://dpalm.med.uth.tmc.edu/courses/BT2003/BTstudents2003_files%5CPlague2003.htm The History of the Bubonic Plague]

In the Iberian Peninsula, the seventh century was the Siglo de Concilios, that is, century of councils, referring to the Councils of Toledo.

In the 7th century, Harsha united Northern India, which had reverted to small republics and states after the fall of the Gupta Empire in the 6th century. In China, the Sui Dynasty was replaced by the Tang Dynasty. Silla allied itself with the Tang Dynasty, subjugating Baekje and defeating Goguryeo to unite the Korean Peninsula under one ruler. The Asuka Period persisted in Japan throughout the 7th century.

Events

surah in a handwritten copy of the Qur'an.]] helmet found at Sutton Hoo, probably belonging to Raedwald of East Anglia circa 625.]]
  • 618, The Chenla kingdom completely absorbed Funan.
  • Guangzhou, China, becomes a major international seaport, hosting maritime travelers from Egypt, East Africa, Arabia, Persia, India, Sri Lanka, and South East Asia, including Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and Nestorian Christians.
  • 622, Year one of the Islamic calendar begins, during which the Hijra occurs — Muhammad and his followers emigrate from Mecca to Medina in September.
  • 623, The Frankish merchant Samo, supporting the Slavs fighting their Avar rulers, becomes the ruler of the first known Slav state in Central Europe.
  • 626, The Avars and the Persians jointly besiege but fail to capture Constantinople.
  • 627, Emperor Heraclius defeats the Persians, ending the Roman-Persian Wars.
  • 629, The Byzantine-Arab Wars begin. Much of the Roman Empire is conquered by Muslim Arabs led by Khalid ibn al-Walid.
  • 629-630, Emperor Taizong's campaign against Eastern Tujue, Chinese Tang Dynasty forces under commanders Li Jing and Li Shiji destroy the Göktürk Khanate.
  • 632, The Muslim conquests begin.
  • 636, Around this time the Battle of al-QÄdisiyyah resulted in a decisive victory for Muslims in the Islamic conquest of Persia, the Persian Empire is conquered by Muslim Arabs led by Sad Ibn Abi Waqqas.
  • 639, Muslim conquest of Egypt and Armenia
  • 642, Library of Alexandria destroyed again
  • 664, Conquest of Kabul by Muslims.
  • 650, The Khazar-Arab Wars begin.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda of Chang'an, built in 652 AD, in modern-day Xi'an, China.]]
  • 651, Emperor Yazdgerd III is murdered in Merv, ending the rule of Sassanid dynasty in Persia (Iran).
  • 656–661, The First Islamic civil war.
  • 658, Two Chinese monks, Zhi Yu and Zhi You, reconstruct the 3rd century South Pointing Chariot mechanical compass-vehicle for Emperor Tenji of Japan.
  • 661, Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib is assassinated. He is succeeded by Hasan ibn Ali as the Shia Imam and Muawiyah I as the Sunni Caliph. This was the foundation of the Umayyad caliphate. Roberts, J: "History of the World.". Penguin, 1994.
  • 663, The Tang Dynasty of China and Korean Silla Kingdom gain victory against the Korean Baekje Kingdom and their Yamato Japanese allies in the naval Battle of Baekgang.
  • 668, The end of the Goguryeo-Tang Wars, as Goguryeo fell to a joint attack by Tang China and Unified Silla of Korea, the latter of which held the Goguryeo domains.
  • 670 In 670 an Arab Muslim army under Uqba ibn Nafi entered the region of Ifriqiya. Finally in the late 670s conquest of North Africa has been completed.
  • 674, The first Arab siege of Constantinople begins.
  • 677, Most of the Arab fleet is destroyed by Greek fire.
  • 680, Battle of Karbala took place near Kufa which led to killing of Husayn ibn Ali and the division of Muslim community. The Bulgars subjugate the country of current-day Bulgaria.
  • 683–685, The Second Islamic civil war.
  • 688, Emperor Justinian II of the Byzantine Empire defeats the Bulgars.
  • 694, Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims, and sentences all Jews to slavery.
  • 698, The Arabs capture Carthage from the Byzantine Empire, and destroy it completely.
  • 700, The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada.

Significant persons

Inventions, discoveries, introductions

  • 650, The first Chinese Paper money is issued. Roberts, J: "History of the World.". Penguin, 1994.
  • 670s, Greek fire invented in Constantinople.
  • The stirrup introduced to Persia from China, late 7th century
  • Earliest known record of the game Chatrang, predecessor to Chess
  • After sailing from Ethiopia, Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas brings the first Quran to China, and establishes the first Islamic mosque of China in Guangzhou in the 630s.
  • The Xumi Pagoda in Zhengding, China is built in 636 AD.

Decades and years

References

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