970 CE

The oldest preserved document (by Otto I) mentions Leibnitz in Styria (modern Austria). Emperor John I delegates the war in the Balkans to his brother-in-law, the Domestic of the Schools Bardas Skleros, and to the eunuch general Peter Phokas, who begin to gather a Byzantine army in Thrace. At the news of this, a powerful Kievan expeditionary force (30,000 men), along with many Bulgarians and a Pecheneg contingent, is sent south over the Balkan Mountains. After sacking the Bulgarian stronghold of Philippolis (modern-day Plovdiv), they bypass the heavily defended city of Adrianople, and turn towards Constantinople. Construction is completed on Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, Egypt (the world's oldest Islamic university).

In the 970s, the 10th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Eric the Victorious becomes the first (documented) king of Sweden in Uppland.source

Conflict & Security

  • Battle of Arcadiopolis: John I dispatches an elite force (10–12,000 men) to delay the Kievan Rus'. The Byzantines under Bardas Skleros successfully ambush the Kievan-Bulgarian invaders at Arcadiopolis (modern Turkey). The battle turns into a complete rout, killing thousands. Grand Prince Sviatoslav I is driven out of Thrace and withdraws his forces to the fortress city of Silistra.source
  • Summer – Byzantine-Imperial truce: Emperor Otto I (the Great) meets with John I at Bari and accepts a permanent peace agreement. Pandulf I (Ironhead) is released from captivity in Constantinople (see 969).source
  • Summer – Bardas Phokas (the Younger) and his family rebel against their own cousin, John I. Bardas is proclaimed 'emperor' by his troops at Caesarea, but the rebellion is extinguished by Bardas Skleros. Phokas and his relatives are captured and exiled to the island of Chios (Aegean Sea).source
  • Emperor John I delegates the war in the Balkans to his brother-in-law, the Domestic of the Schools Bardas Skleros, and to the eunuch general Peter Phokas, who begin to gather a Byzantine army in Thrace. At the news of this, a powerful Kievan expeditionary force (30,000 men), along with many Bulgarians and a Pecheneg contingent, is sent south over the Balkan Mountains. After sacking the Bulgarian stronghold of Philippolis (modern-day Plovdiv), they bypass the heavily defended city of Adrianople, and turn towards Constantinople.source
  • Al-Hasan ibn Ubayd Allah, Ikhshidid governor of Palestine, is defeated and taken prisoner by General Ja'far ibn Fallah in Syria. Ending the Ikhshidid Dynasty as a ruling power.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Skagul Toste leads a Viking expedition to England and demands Danegeld.source

Religion & Belief

  • Construction is completed on Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, Egypt (the world's oldest Islamic university).source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • The oldest preserved document (by Otto I) mentions Leibnitz in Styria (modern Austria).source

Climate & Environment

  • A major volcano erupts in Lake Mashū, Japan (approximate date).source

Births

  • William III, French nobleman (approximate date)source
  • Leif Erikson, Norse Viking explorer (approximate date)source
  • Procopius of Sázava, Czech hermit and abbot (died 1053)source
  • Sergius IV, pope of the Catholic Church (died 1012)source
  • Rudolph III, king of Burgundy (approximate date)source
  • Radim Gaudentius, Polish archbishop (approximate date)source
  • Sitt al-Mulk, Fatimid princess and regent (died 1023)source
  • Richard of Verdun, French abbot (died 1046)source
  • Heribert, archbishop of Cologne (approximate date)source
  • Adelaide, German abbess and saint (died 1015)source
  • Wifred II, Spanish nobleman (approximate date)source
  • Constantine III, king of Scotland (approximate date)source
  • Fulk III of Anjou (the Black), French nobleman (died 1040)source
  • Al-Sharif al-Radi, Persian Shi'ite scholar and poet (died 1015)source

Deaths