# 968

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Calendar year

This article is about the year 968.     For other uses, see [968 (disambiguation)](/source/968_(disambiguation)).

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Calendar year

Years Millennium 1st millennium Centuries 9th century 10th century 11th century Decades 940s 950s 960s 970s 980s Years 965 966 967 968 969 970 971 v t e

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

968 in various calendars Gregorian calendar 968 CMLXVIII Ab urbe condita 1721 Armenian calendar 417 ԹՎ ՆԺԷ Assyrian calendar 5718 Balinese saka calendar 889–890 Bengali calendar 374–375 Berber calendar 1918 Buddhist calendar 1512 Burmese calendar 330 Byzantine calendar 6476–6477 Chinese calendar 丁卯年 (Fire Rabbit) 3665 or 3458 — to — 戊辰年 (Earth Dragon) 3666 or 3459 Coptic calendar 684–685 Discordian calendar 2134 Ethiopian calendar 960–961 Hebrew calendar 4728–4729 Hindu calendars - Vikram Samvat 1024–1025 - Shaka Samvat 889–890 - Kali Yuga 4068–4069 Holocene calendar 10968 Iranian calendar 346–347 Islamic calendar 357–358 Japanese calendar Kōhō 5 / Anna 1 (安和元年) Javanese calendar 868–870 Julian calendar 968 CMLXVIII Korean calendar 3301 Minguo calendar 944 before ROC 民前944年 Nanakshahi calendar −500 Seleucid era 1279/1280 AG Thai solar calendar 1510–1511 Tibetan calendar མེ་མོ་ཡོས་ལོ་ (female Fire-Hare) 1094 or 713 or −59 — to — ས་ཕོ་འབྲུག་ལོ་ (male Earth-Dragon) 1095 or 714 or −58

Realm of [Kievan Rus'](/source/Kievan_Rus'), mid-10th century.

Grand Prince [Sviatoslav I](/source/Sviatoslav_I_of_Kiev) (r. 945–972)

Year **968** (**[CMLXVIII](/source/Roman_numerals)**) was a [leap year starting on Wednesday](/source/Leap_year_starting_on_Wednesday) of the [Julian calendar](/source/Julian_calendar).

## Events

### By place

#### Byzantine Empire

- Emperor [Nikephoros II](/source/Nikephoros_II_Phokas) receives a Bulgarian embassy led by Prince [Boris](/source/Boris_II_of_Bulgaria) (the son of Tsar [Peter I of Bulgaria](/source/Peter_I_of_Bulgaria)), with a plea for help against the invading [Kievan Rus'](/source/Kievan_Rus'). Nikephoros, occupied in the East, is unable to support him. Instead he sends envoys to summon the [Pechenegs](/source/Pechenegs) to aid Boris. They [besiege Kiev](/source/Siege_of_Kiev_(968)), but Grand Prince [Sviatoslav I](/source/Sviatoslav_I_of_Kiev) (on campaign in Bulgaria) returns with a Kievan relief force, and defeats the Pechenegs. He drives them out into the [Steppe](/source/Steppe), and sets up [viceroys](/source/Viceroy) to rule his Rus' territory.[1]

#### Europe

- Spring – Emperor [Otto I](/source/Otto_I%2C_Holy_Roman_Emperor) (**the Great**) travels to [Capua](/source/Capua) to meet there with [ambassadors](/source/Ambassador) of Nikephoros II, who again reiterate their friendship, but refuse to consent to his [dowry](/source/Dowry) demands (see [967](/source/967)). Otto invades the Byzantine [Theme of Langobardia](/source/Longobardia) with a [Lombard](/source/Lombardy) expeditionary force. With the assistance of [Benevento](/source/Duchy_of_Benevento)-[Capua](/source/Principality_of_Capua) and naval support from [Pisa](/source/Pisa), Otto attempts to take [Bari](/source/Bari) by assault, but Byzantine resistance is stiff, and Otto withdraws back to [Ravenna](/source/Ravenna).

- [Battle of Silistra](/source/Battle_of_Silistra): A Kievan army (60,000 men) led by Sviatoslav I crosses the [Lower Danube](/source/Danube) and defeats the Bulgarians at [Silistra](/source/Silistra). He occupies most of the [Dobruja](/source/Dobruja) by seizing 80 fortresses in northeastern Bulgaria. They are looted and destroyed but not permanently occupied. During the winter, Sviatoslav transfers the capital from Kiev to [Pereyaslavets](/source/Pereyaslavets).

- [Pandulf I](/source/Pandulf_Ironhead) (**Ironhead**), a Lombard prince, takes over the territory of Benevento and Capua after the death of his brother [Landulf III](/source/Landulf_III_of_Benevento). He appoints his son [Landulf IV](/source/Landulf_IV_of_Benevento) as co-prince of Benevento, and disinherits [Pandulf II](/source/Pandulf_II_of_Benevento) (a son of Landulf III) as lord of [Sant'Agata](/source/Sant'Agata_de'_Goti) (located northeast of [Naples](/source/Naples)).

- [Battle of Sulcoit](/source/Battle_of_Sulcoit) in [Ireland](/source/Ireland): The [Irish](/source/Gaelic_Ireland) of the [Dál gCais](/source/Dalcassians) led by [Brian Boru](/source/Brian_Boru) defeats the [Viking](/source/Vikings) forces of [Limerick](/source/Limerick). After the battle the Dál gCais seize and [burn the Viking stronghold of Limerick](/source/Burning_of_Luimnech). Ending of [Norse](/source/Norsemen) expansion in [Ireland](/source/Ireland).

#### Asian

- In Vietnam, after ending the [anarchy of the 12 warlords](/source/Anarchy_of_the_12_Warlords), [Đinh Bộ Lĩnh](/source/%C4%90inh_B%E1%BB%99_L%C4%A9nh) declared himself emperor, marking the beginning of the [Đinh dynasty](/source/%C4%90inh_dynasty).[2]

### By topic

#### Religion

- Otto I founds the [Archbishopric of Magdeburg](/source/Archbishopric_of_Magdeburg) at the [synod](/source/Synod) of Ravenna. He appoints [Adalbert](/source/Adalbert_of_Magdeburg) as the archbishop of [Magdeburg](/source/Magdeburg). The archbishopric under Adalbert includes the bishoprics of [Brandenburg](/source/Prince-Bishopric_of_Brandenburg) and [Havelberg](/source/Bishopric_of_Havelberg) — as well as the newly erected sees of [Meissen](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Dresden-Meissen), [Merseburg](/source/Bishopric_of_Merseburg) and [Naumburg-Zeitz](/source/Bishopric_of_Naumburg-Zeitz).[3]

- [Mieszko I](/source/Mieszko_I_of_Poland), duke and prince of [Poland](/source/Greater_Poland), constructs [Poznań Cathedral](/source/Pozna%C5%84_Cathedral) within the fortified stronghold (*[gord](/source/Gord_(archaeology))*) of [Poznań](/source/Pozna%C5%84). The settlement becomes a [bishopric](/source/Bishopric), Mieszko appoints [Jordan](/source/Jordan_(bishop_of_Poland)) as the first bishop.

## Births

- [November 29](/source/November_29) – [Kazan](/source/Emperor_Kazan), emperor of [Japan](/source/Japan) (d. [1008](/source/1008))

- [December 21](/source/December_21) – [Minamoto no Yorinobu](/source/Minamoto_no_Yorinobu), Japanese [samurai](/source/Samurai) (d. [1048](/source/1048))

- [December 23](/source/December_23) – [Zhenzong](/source/Emperor_Zhenzong), emperor of the [Song Dynasty](/source/Song_dynasty) (d. [1022](/source/1022))

- [Æthelred the Unready](/source/%C3%86thelred_the_Unready), king of [England](/source/Kingdom_of_England) (approximate date)

- [Gisela of France, Countess of Ponthieu](/source/Gisela_of_France%2C_Countess_of_Ponthieu), French princess and daughter of [Hugh Capet](/source/Hugh_Capet) (d. [1002](/source/1002))

- [Pan](/source/Princess_Pan), Chinese princess and wife of Zhen Zong (d. [989](/source/989))

- [Romanos III Argyros](/source/Romanos_III_Argyros), emperor of the [Byzantine Empire](/source/Byzantine_Empire) (d. [1034](/source/1034))

## Deaths

- [March 2](/source/March_2) – [William](/source/William_(archbishop_of_Mainz)), archbishop of [Mainz](/source/Elector_of_Mainz) (b. [929](/source/929))

- [March 14](/source/March_14) – [Matilda of Ringelheim](/source/Matilda_of_Ringelheim), Frankish queen

- [March 19](/source/March_19) – [Emma of Paris](/source/Emma_of_Paris%2C_Duchess_of_Normandy), duchess of [Normandy](/source/Duchy_of_Normandy) (b. [943](/source/943))

- [April 2](/source/April_2) – [Yuan Dezhao](/source/Yuan_Dezhao), Chinese [chancellor](/source/Chancellor_of_the_Tang_dynasty) (b. [891](/source/891))

- [April 4](/source/April_4) – [Abu Firas al-Hamdani](/source/Abu_Firas_al-Hamdani), Arab prince and [poet](/source/Arabic_poetry) (b. [932](/source/932))

- [Abu al-Misk Kafur](/source/Abu_al-Misk_Kafur), Ikhshidid [vizier](/source/Vizier) of [Egypt](/source/Egypt_in_the_Middle_Ages) (b. [905](/source/905))

- [Aldred](/source/Aldred_of_Lindisfarne), bishop of [Lindisfarne](/source/Lindisfarne) (approximate date)

- [Al-Muttaqi](/source/Al-Muttaqi), Abbasid caliph (b. [908](/source/908))

- [Ananias I](/source/Ananias_I_of_Armenia), catholicos of the [Armenian Apostolic Church](/source/Armenian_Apostolic_Church)

- [Bardas Phokas](/source/Bardas_Phokas_the_Elder) (**the Elder**), Byzantine general

- [Eadgifu](/source/Eadgifu_of_Kent), wife of [Edward the Elder](/source/Edward_the_Elder) (approximate date)

- [John III](/source/John_III_of_Naples), duke of [Naples](/source/Duchy_of_Naples) (approximate date)

- [Landulf III](/source/Landulf_III_of_Benevento), prince of [Benevento](/source/Duchy_of_Benevento) (or [969](/source/969))

- [Liu Jun](/source/Liu_Jun_(Northern_Han)), emperor of [Northern Han](/source/Northern_Han) (b. [926](/source/926))

- [Mord Fiddle](/source/Mord_Fiddle), Icelandic farmer and [law](/source/Gray_Goose_Laws) expert

- [Mumadona Dias](/source/Mumadona_Dias), countess of [Portugal](/source/County_of_Portugal)

- [Rajendravarman II](/source/Rajendravarman_II), ruler of the [Khmer Empire](/source/Khmer_Empire)

- [Robert of Vermandois](/source/Robert_of_Vermandois), Frankish [nobleman](/source/Nobility) (or [967](/source/967))

- [Sun Guangxian](/source/Sun_Guangxian), Chinese chief strategist

- [Sunifred II](/source/Sunifred_II_of_Cerdanya), Frankish nobleman (b. [915](/source/915))

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Fine, John V. A. Jr.](/source/John_Van_Antwerp_Fine_Jr.) (1991) [1983]. *The Early Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Sixth to the Late Twelfth Century*. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. p. [183](https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0NBxG9Id58C&pg=PA183). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-472-08149-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-472-08149-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Ngô Sĩ Liên](/source/Ng%C3%B4_S%C4%A9_Li%C3%AAn) (1993), [Đại Việt Sử ký toàn thư](/source/%C4%90%E1%BA%A1i_Vi%E1%BB%87t_s%E1%BB%AD_k%C3%BD_to%C3%A0n_th%C6%B0), page. 58, Volume I, "Kỷ nhà Đinh: Tiên Hoàng Đế"

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Reuter, Timothy (1999). *The New Cambridge Medieval History, Volume III*, p. 252. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-36447-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-36447-8).

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [968](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/968) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/968?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.