601 CE
Food production increases in northern and Western Europe as a result of agricultural technology introduced by the Slavs, who employ a lightweight plow with a knife blade (coulter), that cuts deep into the soil at grassroots level, together with a shaped board, or "moldboard", that moves the cut soil to one side. The future Archbishops of Canterbury (Mellitus, Justus, and Honorius), and the future Archbishop of York Paulinus, are sent to England by Pope Gregory I to aid Augustine in his missionary work. Gregory writes the decretal Libellus responsionum to Augustine. The Qieyun, a Chinese character rhyme dictionary, is published.
In the 600s, the 7th century.
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
- The Franks, Merovingians and Carolingians successively control most of Europe, while strong feudal lords rise in power to gain the allegiance of the people.source
Conflict & Security
- Liuva II, age 18, succeeds his father Reccared I as king of the Visigoths. Reccared dies a natural death at the capital in Toledo after a 15-year reign.source
- Balkan Campaign: A Byzantine army under command of Peter, brother of Emperor Maurice, crosses the Danube and advances to the Tisza River, where it defeats the Avars.source
Exploration & Expansion
- The Lombards under King Agilulf expand into Northern Italy, establishing a settlement with the Franks and maintaining intermittent relationships with Rome.source
Religion & Belief
- The future Archbishops of Canterbury (Mellitus, Justus, and Honorius), and the future Archbishop of York Paulinus, are sent to England by Pope Gregory I to aid Augustine in his missionary work. Gregory writes the decretal Libellus responsionum to Augustine.source
Economy & Finance
- Food production increases in northern and Western Europe as a result of agricultural technology introduced by the Slavs, who employ a lightweight plow with a knife blade (coulter), that cuts deep into the soil at grassroots level, together with a shaped board, or "moldboard", that moves the cut soil to one side.source
Culture & Society
- The Qieyun, a Chinese character rhyme dictionary, is published.source
Births
- September 13 – Ali, central figure in Shia Islam (died 661)source
- Zhangsun, empress of the Tang dynasty (died 636)source
- Hongren, Chán (Buddhist) patriarch of the Tang dynasty (died 674)source
- Sigebert II, king of Austrasia and Burgundy (died 613)source
- Ma Zhou, chancellor of the Tang dynasty (died 648)source