698 CE

Itzamnaaj K'awiil becomes the new ruler of the Mayan city state at Dos Pilas in Guatemala and reigns until 726. Wittiza, son of King Ergica, becomes co-ruler of the Visigoth Kingdom in Hispania (approximate date). Council of Aquileia: The bishops of the diocese of Aquileia decide to end the Schism of the Three Chapters and return to communion with Rome.

In the 690s, the 7th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • March 24 – Itzamnaaj K'awiil becomes the new ruler of the Mayan city state at Dos Pilas in Guatemala and reigns until 726.source
  • Fiannamail ua Dúnchado becomes king of Dál Riata (Scotland), until his death around 700 (approximate date).source
  • Wittiza, son of King Ergica, becomes co-ruler of the Visigoth Kingdom in Hispania (approximate date).source
  • Dae Jo-young establishes the kingdom of Balhae in Manchuria (approximate date).source

Conflict & Security

  • Berber forces led by Queen Kahina ("The Diviner") are crushed by Arab invaders at Aures (Algeria). She has rallied the Berbers since the collapse of Byzantine power (see 647).source
  • Spring–summer – Arab forces under Hasan ibn al-Nu'man capture Carthage, ending Byzantine rule in North Africa. The defeated Byzantine fleet revolts and proclaims Tiberios III, who deposes Leontios after a brief siege of Constantinople, Byzantine Emperor.source
  • Autumn–winter – The Byzantine general Heraclius, brother of Tiberios III, crosses the mountain passes of the Taurus Mountains into Cilicia with an army. He launches a campaign in Syria, defeats an Arab force from Antioch, and raids as far as Samosata (modern Turkey).source
  • Khun Lo, a Thai prince, conquers Muang Sua, an early Laotian kingdom.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Qapaghan Qaghan conquers parts of Transoxiana (Central Asia).source

Religion & Belief

  • Probable date of Cuthbert's burial behind the altar at Lindisfarne (approximate date).source
  • Council of Aquileia: The bishops of the diocese of Aquileia decide to end the Schism of the Three Chapters and return to communion with Rome.source
  • Princess Taki is sent to Saikū, as a Saiō of the Ise Shrine (Japan).source
  • Willibrord, Anglo-Saxon missionary, establishes an abbey at Echternach (Luxembourg), presented to him by Irmina, daughter of King Dagobert II.source

Health & Medicine

  • Outbreak of bubonic plague in Constantinople, Syria and Mesopotamia: Theophanes the Confessor reports that the plague lasted four months and describes a large number of deaths in Constantinople. Emperor Leontios orders the destruction of a market in the Neorion cargo port of Constantinople, where animals are sold and which is considered to be the source of infected animals brought from Syria. The Arab army is forced to suspend its military operations. According to Syrian sources, the plague in Syria lasted another two years.source

Culture & Society

  • The festival of first-fruits (Daijo-sai) is held in Japan.source

Births

  • Shang, emperor of the Tang dynasty (or 695)source
  • Wang Changling, Chinese poet and official (died 756)source

Deaths

  • May 6 – Eadberht, bishop of Lindisfarnesource
  • July 22 – Wu Chengsi, nephew of Chinese sovereign Wu Zetiansource
  • Ainbcellach mac Ferchair, king of Dál Riata (Scotland)source
  • Rieul, bishop of Reims (approximate date)source
  • Trudo, Frankish abbot (approximate date)source
  • Suraqah al-Bariqi, Arab poet (born 621)source
  • Berhtred, Anglo-Saxon nobleman, is killed leading a Northumbrian army against the Picts. The kingdom of Cait (or Cat) in northern Scotland is absorbed (approximate date).source
  • Berthtred, Anglo-Saxon noblemen (approximate date)source