778 CE

Battle of Roncevaux Pass (Pyrenees): Charlemagne is defeated by the Basques. Among those killed is Roland, governor of the Breton March, who will be immortalized in the 11th century epic The Song of Roland. This marks the beginning of medieval French literature. In Japan, the Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple is founded in Kyoto. Its main hall (Hondo) is built in 1633 without a single nail. Saxon raiders destroy many churches deep in Frankish territory. The Benedictine monks of Fulda Abbey (modern-day Hesse) hurriedly carry the relics of Saint Boniface over the Rhön Mountains to safety.

In the 770s, the 8th century.

Conflict & Security

  • August 15 – Battle of Roncevaux Pass (Pyrenees): Charlemagne is defeated by the Basques. Among those killed is Roland, governor of the Breton March, who will be immortalized in the 11th century epic The Song of Roland. This marks the beginning of medieval French literature.source
  • A Frankish army (supported by Burgundians, Bavarians, Bretons, Lombards, and Visigoths) under King Charlemagne invades Al-Andalus (modern Spain), and conquers the cities of Pamplona and Barcelona. However, the Franks are halted at Zaragoza, in the thughur or frontier zone of the Emirate of Córdoba.source
  • Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor Leo IV ("the Khazar") repulses an Abbasid invasion in Anatolia. A Byzantine expeditionary force under Michael Lachanodrakon, military governor (strategos) of the Thracesian Theme, defeats the Muslim-Arabs at the fortress city of Germanikeia in Cilicia (modern Turkey). He plunders the region and takes many captives, mostly Jacobites, who are resettled in Thrace.source
  • Saxon Wars: Widukind and his close followers return to Saxony from Denmark. He probably makes alliances with the Danes and the northwestern Slav tribes. Saxon rebels destroy the fortress of Karlsburg and sack Deutz (near Cologne), but are unable to cross the Rhine. They are driven back by the garrison of Koblenz, but then ambush and defeat the Frankish pursuers. Counter-attacking Frankish forces pursue the Saxons up the Lahn Valley, and defeat them near Leisa.source
  • Unrest in Northumbria leads to King Æthelred I ordering the execution of three of his dukes. This considerably weakens his position (approximate date).source

Religion & Belief

  • In Japan, the Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple is founded in Kyoto. Its main hall (Hondo) is built in 1633 without a single nail.source
  • Saxon raiders destroy many churches deep in Frankish territory. The Benedictine monks of Fulda Abbey (modern-day Hesse) hurriedly carry the relics of Saint Boniface over the Rhön Mountains to safety.source

Births

  • Li Gongzuo, Chinese writer (died 848)source
  • Zhaozhou, Chinese Zen Buddhist master (died 897)source
  • Li Shigu, general of the Tang Dynasty (died 806)source
  • Louis the Pious, king of the Franks (died 840)source
  • Ishaq ibn Rahwayh, Muslim scholar and imam (or 777)source
  • Bernard, bishop of Vienne (died 842)source
  • Xian Zong, emperor of the Tang Dynasty (died 820)source
  • Rotrude, Frankish princess, daughter of Charlemagne (or 775)source
  • Ali ibn al-Madini, Muslim scholar (died 849)source
  • Ermengarde of Hesbaye, queen of the Franks (died 818)source
  • Liu Gongquan, Chinese calligrapher (died 865)source

Deaths

  • August 15 – Roland, Frankish military leadersource
  • Sufyan al-Thawri, Muslim scholar and jurist (born 716)source
  • Áed Find, king of Dál Riata (Scotland)source
  • Niall Frossach, High King of Irelandsource
  • Congalach mac Conaing, king of South Brega (Ireland)source
  • Berhthun, bishop of Lichfield (approximate date)source
  • Eterscél mac Áeda, king of the Uí Cheinnselaig (Ireland)source
  • Mac Flaithniadh, abbot of Clonfert (Ireland)source