720s
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Millennium: | 1st millennium |
| Centuries: | 7th century – 8th century – 9th century |
| Decades: | 690s 700s 710s – 720s – 730s 740s 750s |
| Years: | 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 |
| Categories: | Births – Deaths – Architecture Establishments – Disestablishments |
720s: events by year
Contents: 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729
720
By place
Asia
- The Nihon Shoki (日本書紀), one of the oldest history books in Japan, is completed.
- Umayyad caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz is succeeded by Yazid II ibn Abd al-Malik.
- July 30 – In the Tang Dynasty Chinese capital of Chang'an, the walls of a gated city ward collapse during the night, which unexpectedly form a large pool out in the open. This is most likely caused by a sinkhole created when ground water eroded the limestone bedrock beneath. As a consequence of this, more than 500 homes are destroyed (Benn, 50).
- The former governor of Iraq, Yazid ibn al-Muhallab, rebels and is defeated and killed by the Caliph's forces under Al-Abbas ibn al-Walid and Maslamah ibn Abd al-Malik.
Byzantine Empire
- The Byzantine emperor Leo III the Isaurian orders the execution of the ex-emperor Anastasius II.
722
By place
Americas
- January 3 – K'inich Ahkal Mo' Naab III takes the throne of the Maya state of Palenque.
Europe
- The Battle of Covadonga marks the first victory of a Christian army over a Muslim army in Spain (probable date).
- War breaks out between Wessex and Sussex.
- A combined Viking and Cornish army defeat an army of Wessex at the Battle of Hehil.
- The Battle of Allen was fought in close proximity to the Hill of Allen, between the Laigin, led by Murchad mac Brain Mut, and the forces of Fergal mac Máele Dúin.
By topic
Religion
- November 30 – Boniface is ordained as bishop of Germany by the pope.
723
By topic
Religion
- Saint Boniface fells Thor's Oak near Fritzlar, marking the decisive event in the Christianization of the northern Germanic tribes.
Technology
- The world's first mechanical clock is allegedly built in China (See celestial globe).
724
By place
Asia
- Emperor Shōmu succeeds Empress Genshō on the throne of Japan.
- Umayyad caliph Yazid II ibn Abd al-Malik (720–724) is succeeded by Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (724–743).
Mesoamerica
- K'ak' Tiliw Chan Yopaat becomes king of the Maya city of Quiriguá.
725
By place
Europe
- Bede writes On the reckoning of time (De temporum ratione) explaining how to calculate medieval Easter.
Africa
Asia
- In China, the Tang Dynasty Buddhist monk, astronomer, and mechanical engineer Yi Xing applies a clockwork escapement mechanism to provide rotating motion to his astronomical armillary sphere.
726
By place
Europe
- Seismic activity in the Mediterranean: The volcanic island of Thera erupts, while the city of Jerash (in present-day Jordan) suffers a major earthquake.
- King Ine of Wessex resigns his crown and leaves for Rome. He is succeeded by Æthelheard.
- King Æthelbald becomes King of Mercia.
- Orso Ipato is elected Doge of Venice and appointed Roman consul by Emperor Leo III the Isaurian.
- Dúngal mac Selbaig is deposed as king of Dál Riata; Eochaid mac Echdach becomes king.
Asia
- The first annual Sumo tournament in Japan is held by Emperor Seibu.
- Umayyad forces under Maslamah ibn Abd al-Malik sack the Byzantine city of Caesarea.
By topic
Religion
- Leo III the Isaurian bans the worship of religious images, beginning the iconoclastic controversies.
727
By place
Byzantine Empire
- Umayyad troops under Abdallah al-Battal and Mu'awiyah ibn Hisham raze Gangra and unsuccessfully besiege Nicaea.
By topic
Religion
- Pope Gregory II condemns iconoclasm, causing Byzantine Italy to break with the Empire.
728
By place
Europe
- Liutprand, King of the Lombards occupies all of the exarchate.
729
By place
Europe
- The Battle of Ravenna is fought between the troops of Byzantine Emperor Leo III the Isaurian, and a force of Italians, raised by Pope Gregory II in defence of image worship, which Leo had outlawed. After a severe struggle, the Greeks are routed; thousands are killed in flight to their ships. The waters of the Po River are so infected with blood, it is said, that for six years the inhabitants of Ravenna will not eat fish from the river.
