# 626

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Calendar year

This article is about the year 626.  For the car previously called the Mazda 626, see [Mazda Capella](/source/Mazda_Capella). For the fictional character also known as Experiment 626, see [Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)](/source/Stitch_(Lilo_%26_Stitch)).  For other uses, see [626 (disambiguation)](/source/626_(disambiguation)).

Calendar year

Years Millennium 1st millennium Centuries 6th century 7th century 8th century Decades 600s 610s 620s 630s 640s Years 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 v t e

626 by topic Leaders Political entities State leaders Religious leaders Categories Births Deaths Disestablishments v t e

626 in various calendars Gregorian calendar 626 DCXXVI Ab urbe condita 1379 Armenian calendar 75 ԹՎ ՀԵ Assyrian calendar 5376 Balinese saka calendar 547–548 Bengali calendar 32–33 Berber calendar 1576 Buddhist calendar 1170 Burmese calendar −12 Byzantine calendar 6134–6135 Chinese calendar 乙酉年 (Wood Rooster) 3323 or 3116 — to — 丙戌年 (Fire Dog) 3324 or 3117 Coptic calendar 342–343 Discordian calendar 1792 Ethiopian calendar 618–619 Hebrew calendar 4386–4387 Hindu calendars - Vikram Samvat 682–683 - Shaka Samvat 547–548 - Kali Yuga 3726–3727 Holocene calendar 10626 Iranian calendar 4–5 Islamic calendar 4–5 Japanese calendar N/A Javanese calendar 516–517 Julian calendar 626 DCXXVI Korean calendar 2959 Minguo calendar 1286 before ROC 民前1286年 Nanakshahi calendar −842 Seleucid era 937/938 AG Thai solar calendar 1168–1169 Tibetan calendar ཤིང་མོ་བྱ་ལོ་ (female Wood-Bird) 752 or 371 or −401 — to — མེ་ཕོ་ཁྱི་ལོ་ (male Fire-Dog) 753 or 372 or −400

Emperor [Tai Zong](/source/Emperor_Taizong_of_Tang) of the [Tang dynasty](/source/Tang_dynasty)

Year **626** (**[DCXXVI](/source/Roman_numerals)**) was a [common year starting on Wednesday](/source/Common_year_starting_on_Wednesday) of the [Julian calendar](/source/Julian_calendar). The denomination 626 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the [Anno Domini](/source/Anno_Domini) [calendar era](/source/Calendar_era) became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

## Events

### By place

#### Byzantine Empire

- [Siege of Constantinople](/source/Siege_of_Constantinople_(626)): A horde of [Avars](/source/Avar_Khaganate), consisting of about 80,000 men (including large contingents of [Slavs](/source/Slavs), [Bulgars](/source/Bulgars), and other "barbarians"), attack the walls of [Constantinople](/source/Constantinople). A small Persian army arrives on the [Bosphorus](/source/Bosphorus), on the [Asiatic](/source/Asia_Minor) side. The [Theodosian Walls](/source/Walls_of_Constantinople#Theodosian_Walls) are stormed with the most up-to-date [siege](/source/Siege) equipment, in the form of traction [trebuchets](/source/Trebuchet). The Avars also have mobile armoured shelters (medieval 'sows') and [siege towers](/source/Siege_tower#Medieval_and_later_use); the latter are covered in [hides](/source/Hide_(skin)) for fire protection.[1] The defense of the capital (12,000 well-trained Byzantine troops) is in the hands of Patriarch [Sergius I](/source/Sergius_I_of_Constantinople) and [Bonus](/source/Bonus_(patrician)) (*[magister militum](/source/Magister_militum)*).

- [July 31](/source/July_31) – The Avars and Persian allies under [Shahrbaraz](/source/Shahrbaraz) launch an attack along the entire length of the Theodosian Walls (about 5.7 kilometres); the main effort is concentrated against the central section, particularly the low-lying *mesoteichion*. After a fierce infantry battle on the walls, the [Byzantine army](/source/Byzantine_army) holds off many assaults on the city. Emperor [Heraclius](/source/Heraclius) makes arrangements for a new army under his brother [Theodore](/source/Theodore_(brother_of_Heraclius)) to operate against the Persians in western [Anatolia](/source/Anatolia), while he returns to his own army in [Pontus](/source/Pontus_(region)).

- [August 7](/source/August_7) – In the waters of the [Golden Horn](/source/Golden_Horn), the Persian fleet is destroyed while ferrying reinforcements. The Avars, having suffered terrible losses, running short of [food](/source/Food) and supplies, burn their [siege engines](/source/Siege_engine). They abandon the siege and retreat to the [Balkan Peninsula](/source/Balkans). The [Byzantines](/source/Byzantine_Greeks) achieve a decisive victory at [Blachernae](/source/Blachernae), under the protection of the [Church of the Virgin Mary](/source/Church_of_St._Mary_of_Blachernae_(Istanbul)).

- [Byzantine–Persian War](/source/Byzantine%E2%80%93Sasanian_War_of_602%E2%80%93628#Siege_of_Constantinople_(626)): Heraclius, his army reduced by campaigning to less than 30,000 men, is on the defensive in Pontus. Apparently he leaves a strong Byzantine [garrison](/source/Garrison) in [Trapezus](/source/Trabzon), and withdraws north-eastward along the [Black Sea](/source/Black_Sea) into [Colchis](/source/Colchis), where he halts the Persians by aggressive defensive-offensive operations along the [Phasis River](/source/Rioni_River). By attracting the Persian army under [Shahin Vahmanzadegan](/source/Shahin_Vahmanzadegan) in Anatolia, he provides Theodore with the opportunity to defeat them. By the end of the summer he threatens the communication of the Persians at [Chalcedon](/source/Chalcedon) (modern [Turkey](/source/Turkey)).

- Heraclius invites the [Croats](/source/Croats), a Slavic tribe living in [Galicia](/source/Galicia_(Eastern_Europe)), [Silesia](/source/Silesia), and [Bohemia](/source/Bohemia), to settle in [Illyricum](/source/Illyricum_(Roman_province)). They are given the land between the [Drava River](/source/Drava) and the [Adriatic Sea](/source/Adriatic_Sea) for ridding of Avars. The [Serbs](/source/Serbs) are allowed to move from their homeland north of the [Carpathians](/source/Carpathian_Mountains) to a territory east of the Croats. Heraclius asks [Pope Honorius I](/source/Pope_Honorius_I) to send [missionaries](/source/Missionary) to both groups.

- Winter – Heraclius makes an alliance with [Tong Yabghu Qaghan](/source/Tong_Yabghu_Qaghan), ruler (*[khagan](/source/Khagan)*) of the [Western Turkic Khaganate](/source/Western_Turkic_Khaganate), for a joint invasion of the [Persian Empire](/source/Sasanian_Empire) the following spring. He promises his daughter [Eudoxia Epiphania](/source/Eudoxia_Epiphania), age 15, in marriage to Tong Yabghu and sends her under escort with wondrous gifts.

#### Europe

- [Arioald](/source/Arioald) succeeds his brother-in-law [Adaloald](/source/Adaloald) as king of the [Lombards](/source/Lombards), and afterwards goes [insane](/source/Insanity). Arioald has his wife locked up in a [monastery](/source/Monastery), accusing her of plotting against him with [Grasulf II, duke of Friuli](/source/Grasulf_II_of_Friuli) (northern Italy).

#### Britain

- King [Edwin of Northumbria](/source/Edwin_of_Northumbria) defeats the [West Saxons](/source/Wessex) under [Cynegils](/source/Cynegils_of_Wessex), who has tried to thwart the growing strength of Edwin by having him assassinated. Edwin obliges Cynegils to acknowledge [Northumbria](/source/Northumbria)'s supremacy.

- [April 19](/source/April_19) – [Eanflæd](/source/Eanfl%C3%A6d), daughter of Edwin of Northumbria, is born at a royal residence by the [River Derwent](/source/River_Derwent%2C_Yorkshire). She is [baptised](/source/Baptism) by [Paulinus](/source/Paulinus_of_York), bishop of [York](/source/Diocese_of_York).

- Edwin of Northumbria invades the [Isle of Man](/source/Isle_of_Man) and then [Anglesey](/source/Anglesey). King [Cadwallon](/source/Cadwallon_ap_Cadfan) is defeated in battle, and is besieged on [Puffin Island](/source/Puffin_Island_(Anglesey)).[2]

- [Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh) (Scotland) is founded by Edwin of Northumbria (approximate date).

- [Penda](/source/Penda) becomes king of [Mercia](/source/Mercia) (approximate date).[3]

#### Persia

- Summer – King [Khosrau II](/source/Khosrau_II) plans an all-out effort against Constantinople. He returns to Anatolia with two armies of unknown size, presumably more than 50,000 men each. One of these (possibly commanded by Khosrau himself) is to contain Heraclius in Pontus; another under Shahin Vahmanzadegan is defeated by Theodore.

#### Asia

- [July 2](/source/July_2) – [Li Shimin](/source/Emperor_Taizong_of_Tang) travels to the [Tang](/source/Tang_dynasty) capital [Chang'an](/source/Chang'an) to bid farewell to his younger brother [Li Yuanji](/source/Li_Yuanji), who has been given command of a Chinese expedition against the [Eastern Turkic Khaganate](/source/Eastern_Turkic_Khaganate). Hearing of a plot to murder him, he and a few supporters seize the northern entrance to the emperor's palace. Li Shimin ambushes and eliminates his rival brothers Li Yuanji and [Li Jiancheng](/source/Li_Jiancheng), in the [Xuanwu Gate Incident](/source/Xuanwu_Gate_Incident).

- [September 4](/source/September_4) – Emperor [Gao Zu](/source/Emperor_Gaozu_of_Tang) abdicates in favor of his son Li Shimin after an 8-year reign. He passes the throne to him (as [Emperor Tai Zong](/source/Emperor_Taizong_of_Tang)).

#### Religion

- [Muhammad](/source/Muhammad) issues a final proclamation against alcohol. Alcohol is subsequently prohibited in [Islam](/source/Islam), and his followers pour their wine into the streets.

## Births

- [April 19](/source/April_19) – [Eanflæd](/source/Eanfl%C3%A6d), queen of [Northumbria](/source/Northumbria)

- [Balthild](/source/Balthild), queen of the [Franks](/source/Franks) (approximate date)

- [Heraklonas](/source/Heraklonas), Byzantine emperor (d. [641](/source/641))

- [Husayn ibn Ali](/source/Husayn_ibn_Ali), grandson of [Muhammad](/source/Muhammad) and the third Shi'a Imam (d. [680](/source/680))

- [Munmu](/source/Munmu_of_Silla), king of [Silla](/source/Silla) (d. [681](/source/681))

- [Tenji](/source/Emperor_Tenji), emperor of Japan (d. [672](/source/672))

- [Zaynab bint Ali](/source/Zaynab_bint_Ali), granddaughter of [Muhammad](/source/Muhammad) and member of [Ahl al-Bayt](/source/Ahl_al-Bayt)

- [Abdallah ibn Amir](/source/Abdallah_ibn_Amir)

## Deaths

- [June 19](/source/June_19) – [Soga no Umako](/source/Soga_no_Umako), leader of the [Soga clan](/source/Soga_clan)

- [July 2](/source/July_2) – [Li Jiancheng](/source/Li_Jiancheng), prince of the [Tang dynasty](/source/Tang_dynasty) (b. [589](/source/589))

- July 2 – [Li Yuanji](/source/Li_Yuanji), prince of the Tang dynasty (b. [603](/source/603))

- [Adaloald](/source/Adaloald), king of the [Lombards](/source/Lombards) (approximate date)

- [Cearl](/source/Cearl_of_Mercia), king of [Mercia](/source/Mercia) (approximate date)

- [Fatimah bint Asad](/source/Fatimah_bint_Asad), mother of [Ali ibn Abi Talib](/source/Ali_ibn_Abi_Talib) (b. [555](/source/555))

- [Fiachnae mac Báetáin](/source/Fiachnae_mac_B%C3%A1et%C3%A1in), king of [Dál nAraidi](/source/D%C3%A1l_nAraidi) (Ireland)

- [Gaugericus](/source/Gaugericus), [bishop of Cambrai](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Cambrai) (approximate date)

- [Sexred](/source/Sexred), king of [Essex](/source/Kingdom_of_Essex) (approximate date)

- [Shahin Vahmanzadegan](/source/Shahin_Vahmanzadegan), Persian general (approximate date)

- [Warnachar II](/source/Warnachar_II), [Mayor of the Palace](/source/Mayor_of_the_Palace) (approximate date)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** The Walls of Constantinople AD 324–1453, p. 47. Stephen Turnbull, 2004. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84176-759-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84176-759-8)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBede_Book_II[httpwwwfordhameduhalsallbasisbede-book2html_Chapter IX]_2-0)** [Bede Book II](#CITEREFBede_Book_II), [Chapter IX](http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/bede-book2.html).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** *Anglo-Saxon Chronicle*, Manuscript A (ASC A), 626

### Sources

- [Bede](/source/Bede). ["Book II"](http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/bede-book2.html). *[Ecclesiastical History of the English People](/source/Ecclesiastical_History_of_the_English_People)*. Internet History Sourcebooks Project.

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