The East and West Christian Churches enter into war over differing ideologies.
Iconoclasm, a Jewish Law, that bans sacred images is not favored in the West
EUROPEAN & ASIAN HISTORY 750 - 829
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650
The Islamic slave trade across the Sahara involved some 5,000 African slaves per year. During the period of 650-1600 the numbers of slaves are estimated as 7.25 million. One Islamic slave caravan was noted as containing 600 women slaves. These slave routes were lined with parched skeletons of those who succumbed to exhaustion and thirst. Many women would become concubines but unlike European slaves once a concubine produced a child she could not be sold and became a freed woman upon the death or her master. Islamic law prohibited the taking of Islamic slaves so this is the reason they went so far a field. Christians had no comparable law or dogma. It is noteworthy that the common practice of male slave castration resulted in a mortality rate of 90%.
653
Theodore Calliopas seized the anti-bishop of Rome Martin I (649-655) and sent him to Constantinople for trial on the charge of having illegally making himself bishop of Rome. He is found guilt of treason, publicly flogged and sentenced to death. The dying Paul II (641-653) pleaded for Martin's life and the sentence is commuted to banishment to the Crimea where he suffered and died in 655. The anti-bishop of Rome Martin complained that the Roman Catholic Church had abandoned him, even electing a new bishop of Rome before his death. He is the last bishop of Rome to be venerated as a martyr by the Roman Church.
654
Eugene I (654-657) a Roman is elected an anti-bishop of Rome while Martin bishop of Rome is imprisoned. Under these conditions either Martin or Eugene is officially listed as anti-bishop of Rome. The elections are the result of pressure from the Byzantine court. To avoid the fate of Martin he issued a compromise position that Christ's two natures had its own will, considered as a person possessing only one will. The Roman Catholic clergy and people are outraged by the bishop of Rome and prevented him from saying mass until he recanted. Emperor Constans II said when the fighting of the heathens is completed he would administer the same treatment to Eugene as to Martin. He died or is killed before this edict is carried out.
655
The Ninth Council of Toledo decreed that the children of clerics are to be enslaved.
656
King Childebert of Austrasia (656-656) son Grimoald (d-656) Mayor Austasia. King Chlothar III (656-670) son King Clovis II (638-656) ruled Neustria (district of Paris, France) and Austrasia (656-660) a District North East of Paris.
657
Vitalian (657-672) Roman is elected bishop of Rome.
660
Three churches existed in the British Islands:
. The Old Briton Church in Wales.
. The Iro-Scotch Church in Ireland and Scotland,
which is a monastic church with severe asceticism.
. The Germanic-Anglo-Saxon Church that is in close
contact with Rome.
Only Sussex and the Isle of Wright had not accepted the Roman Catholic Church.
King Childerich (660-673) son King Clovis II (638-656) ruled Austrasia a District North East of Paris.
663
Constans II is the last Emperor of Constantinople to visit Rome and this is after an interlude of almost two centuries.
665
A synod at Whitby (664) decided that England should follow Roman Catholics rather than Celtic Christianity. The bishop of Rome backed these efforts endorsed by Osway King of Northunbria (655-670) to make the region Roman Catholic with a Germanic-English flavor rather than Cletic Christian.
666
Emperor Constans II (641-668) proclaimed Ravenna as the Holy See of the East independent of Constantinople with the authority to elect its Bishop, subject to Imperial confirmation.
668
Theodore of Tarsus is assigned Archbishop of Canterbury, England (668-690) to ensure Roman culture is established. The African abbot Hadrian and Benedict Biscop accompanied him to ensure that he didn't introduce alien Greek ideas or customs into England.
Constantine IV (668-685) becomes Emperor of the Constantinople Empire with a strong desire to end the incessant doctrinal controversies between Rome and Constantinople fearing these differences will result in the loss of Syria and Egypt.
669
All of North Africa fell to Islam (Muslim) domination with
some fearing an invasion of Europe.
Theodore of Tarsus archbishop of Canterbury (669-690) rebuilt the Christian
Church of England providing unity and organization that Augustine had failed
to do.
670
King Childerich of Austrasia (660-673) son King Clovis II (638-656) ruled Neustria (670-673)a District of Paris (France).
671
King Clovis III (671-695) son King Theuderich III (673-691)
ruled Austrasia and Neustria, all the Franks.
672
Brude, son of Bile (672-693) brought all the Picts under his sway, attacked the Scots at Dunadd. Adeodatus II (672-717) a Roman is elected bishop of Rome.
673
King Theuderich III (673-698) son King Clovis II (638-656) ruled North East of Paris.
674
King Dagobert II (674-678) son King Sigibert III (632-656) ruled Austrasia a District North East of Paris.
676
Donus (676-678) a Roman is elected bishop of Rome.
678
Agatho (678-681) a Sicilian and monk is elected bishop of Rome. King Theuderich III of Neustria (673-698) son King Clovis II (638-656) ruled Austrasia (678-691) the District of Paris.
679
The Slav-Bulgars, remnants of the Hun who retreated into the steppes of Southern Russia are mixing with the Ugrians. They established a Slav-Bulgars State that reached its greatest power this year. Southern Russia is also peopled by the Scythians an Iranian Mongolian speaking people who practiced a Turko-Mongol life style.
680
The Sixth General Council of the Roman Catholics and Christian Churches is called by Emperor Constantine IV (668-685). The Emperor could see no hope in recovering Syria and Egypt and decided not to alienate the Western Church. The Council concluded the two wills and operations in Christ and the true faith, written by Gods hand, had been also been given to the church in Rome. This is likely a compromise for unity over doctoral issues but the bishop of Constantinople is still effectively head of the Universal Church for all practical purposes.
The prophet Muhammad's favorite grandson Hussein bin Ali, had his head chopped off in Karbala in central Iraq by the soldiers of the Caliph Yazid. The severed head was put on a silver platter and sent to Damascus, Yazid's capital, before being sent further to Cairo for inspection by the governor of Egypt. Source Amir Taheri.
It is commonly assumed that finger printing for identification is a modern invention. Not so, finger printing was used in Korea this year in deeds for sale of slaves.
682
Leo II (682-683) a Sicilian is elected bishop of Rome.
684
Emperor Zhongzong of China reigned 684, and later (705-710)
Emperor Ruizong of China reigned (684-690) the son of Emperor Wu Zetian who acted like the Emperor during her sons reign. She had killed anyone who was a threat to her reign even her own childred.
Benedict II (684-685) a Roman priest is elected bishop of Rome. The Visigoth Christian Church in Spain is considered fiercely independent of the Roman Catholic Church.
During the Sufyandi period (661-684) there is no mention of Abu Al-Qasim Muhammad (570-632), its as though he never existed.
685
John V (685-686) a Syrian is elected bishop of Rome, likely being imposed by the bishop of Constantinople and is short lived.
686
Conon (686-687) from Sicily is elected bishop of Rome as a compromise between Peter and Theodore representing the two rival political parties.
687
Theodore (687-687) a Roman supported by the militia is elected anti-bishop of Rome. Based on tradition, being the first elected bishop of Rome he likely is a legitimate pontiff. Paschal (687-687) (d-692) bribed John Platyn with a hundred pounds of gold and is the second elected anti-bishop of Rome. The same people attempting to resolve the conflict conducted a third election naming Sergius I (687-701) as an anti-bishop of Rome. The militia stormed the gates and installed Sergius. Theodore submitted to force and Sergius finally submitted but wrote to John Platn to correct the situation. John journeyed to Rome but discovered Sergius held the power so had no choice but to ratify the situation but demanded the hundred pounds of gold, the current price of the papacy. Sergius imprisoned Paschal on a charge of magical practices to silence him.
690
Emperor Wu Zetian of China reigned (690-705) she called herself a Sacred and Divine Empress Regnant. She was a concubine of Emperor Taizong (626-649) and Emperor Gaozong (649-683). As well as acting Emporor for her son Emperor Ruizong (684-690)
695
King Childebert III (695-711) son King Theuderich III (673-691) riled the Franks.
698
The Islam Arabs conquest of Northern Africa secured Carthage this year from the Berbers who quickly converted to Islam and joined armies.
692
A Great Council is called by Emperor Justinian II (685-695; 705-711) that excluded the Roman Catholic Church and adopted 102 disciplinary and ritual canons. These canons are oriental in inspiration and ignored traditional Roman law. Sergius refused to ratify the Council canons so the Emperor seized and deported his advisors then sent a contingent under Zacharias to bring the bishop of Rome as captive to the capital city. The Roman Imperial troop intervened and captured Zacharias. Emperor Justinian could not retaliate because he is overthrown in 695 and exiled. This is the first serious threat to the head of the Universal Christian Church in Constantinople since 555 A.D. but did not restore the papacy to Rome.
700
Slavs are Mongol speaking Indo dialects and slowly penetrated Eastern and Northern Europe. They are followed by the Avars and Slav-Bulgars, a more mobile Mongol peoples. The Celt-Pict traded with the Viking (Varangian) and stimulated the Viking (Norsemen) expansion dreams and the Viking journeyed to the Westman Land (British Isles). The Khazar are offered Islam from the Arabs, Christianity by the Greeks but select Judaism as it carried no political threat. The Slavs and Alans look to the Mongolian Khazar as their protector. The Norsemen or Viking are established around Iaroslavl, Rostov and Suzdal and are sharing control of the native Finnish tribes with Slavic settlers from Novgorod and Smolensk.
Venerable Bede an Englishman is believed to be the first person to to date historical events from the birth of Christ.
701
John VI (701-705) a Greek is elected bishop of Rome. Lombard duke Gisulf I of Benevento invaded Campania in 702 and the bishop of Rome spent enormous sums to ransom his prisoners and persuade him to withdraw.
705
Emperor Zhongzong of China reigned 684, and later (705-710)
John VII (705-707) a Greek and the first bishop of Rome of the son of a Byzantine official. He enjoyed excellent relations with the Lombard Ging Aribert II (701-712). Emperor Justinian II (685-695; 705-711) sent the Christian canon's of the Great Council of 692 to bishop John of Rome for endorsement allowing him to reject those he didn't approve. Bishop John of Rome knowing the inevitable result of refused to endorse or reject the canons. John VII bowed to the authority of the Christian Church of Constantinople. His critics would labeled him a coward.
708
Sisinnius (708-708) a crippled old man is elected bishop
of Rome but died within a month of being confirmed.
Constantine (708-715) a Syrian is elected bishop of Rome.
709
Felix the Archbishop of Ravenna refused to provide the required oath of obedience and other tokens of submission in customary form to Constantinople. Emperor Justinian II (685-695; 705-711) had him arrested, putting out his eyes and sending him into exile.
710
Self imposed King Roderick of Southern Spain marched north to secure the northern half of Visigoth Spain and the Basque under his rule.
Constantine (708-715) a Syrian is the last bishop of Rome to visit Constantinople.
711
The Islam Arab (Bergers) of Northern Africa under command of Tariq a Barber and a former Arab slave, with an army of 700 men invaded southern Spain. Their objective is to test the defenses of the Visigoth under Roderick before a full invasion force is assembled to conquer Spain. They found little resistance and southern Spain quickly fell. The full Arab army arrived and began to subject Spain. After four months siege Merida, Spain fell and all men are killed, women and children are enslaved. The Visigoth Kingdom (466-711) is for all intent finished. The balance of the Visigoth Kingdom is reduced to economic self-sufficiency (poverty) ruled by minor warlords being the most prized occupation. The influence of Islam rule of Spain would last 700 years by bringing them out of the dark ages.
The bishop Constantine (708-715) of Rome journeyed to the East on command of the Emperor to ratify the 692 eastern canons. The modified canons are verbally approved by the bishop of Rome being altered to eliminate those things repugnant to the Roman Catholic Church. Emperor Justinian is murdered by mutinous troops and Emperor Philippicus Bardanes (711-713) is installed. He immediately sent a mandate to the bishop of Rome of his belief in one will in Christ and demanded his endorsement. This no win demand is likely designed to remove this bishop of Rome. The bishop of Rome refused and bloody fighting broke out in the streets of Rome.
King Dagobert III (711-715) son King Childebert III (695-711) ruled the Franks.
712
Emperor Xuanzong of China reigned (712-756)
715
Gregory II (715-731) a Roman is elected bishop of Rome. He persuaded Liutprand the Great Lombard King (712-744) to return papal patrimonies.
King Chilperich II (715-720) son King Childerich (660-673) ruled Paris District Neustria.
717
Bishop Gregory II of Rome between 717-726 led a tax revolt
against Emperor Leo III (717-741) who attempted to have the bishop of Rome
deposed or assassinated.
King Chlothar IV (717-719) son King Dagobert II (674-678) ruled Austrasia
a District North East of Paris.
719
King Chilperich II of Neustria (715-720) son King Childerich (660-673) ruled Austrasia (719-720) a District North East of Paris.
720
King Theuderich IV (720-737) son King Dagobert III (711-715) ruled the Franks.
722
The Moslems began counting time from this Hijra date.
726
Gregory II (715-731) bishop of Rome issued a new policy on iconoclasm (banning sacred images and their veneration) as heresy and the Emperor Leo III threatened to depose him over this theological issue he himself had created. Northern Italy sided with Leo III.
727
Rebellion broke out in Italy and Gregory II (715-731) bishop of Rome brought it to heel both this year and in 728. These rebellions added to the East and West Church differences.
728
The Arab attempt to forcibly convert Transoxiana (modern-day Uzbekistan and southwest Kazakhstanto)
to Islam, resulting in general revolt.
729
Liutprand the Lombard King and Eutychius united to march on Rome. Gregory II bishop of Rome visited the Lombard camp and convinced them to abandon the siege. The bishop of Rome agreed to crush Tiberius Petasius a rebellious aspirant to the throne.
731
Gregory III (731-741) a Syrian and priest is elected bishop of Rome by acclimation. He called a synod that denounced iconoclasm (a Jewish tradition) and excommunicated anyone destroying images. This by implication included Emperor Leo III and the Christian patriarchs of the East. Emperor Leo III confiscated the Papal estates in Sicily and southern Italy. These included the archbishoprics of Thessalonica, Corinth, Syracuse, Reggio, Nicopolis, Athens and Patras that are taken from Rome in 732-733 and given to Constantinople. Rome became for all practical purposes a suburbicarian bishopric having been effectively expelled from the Christian Church.
732
The Islamic Arabs and Berbers swept through Spain destroying the last of the Visigoth (Western Goth) Kingdom then began raiding France, being halted this year by the Celtic Franks. The Islamic Arabs however would not totally be expelled from France until 759. The Islamic Kingdom of Spain is firmly established.
From this date untill 1,000 A.D. Slavs from Bosnia became the major source of slaves for the Islamic society.
733
Patriarch Anastasius (730-754) and later Constantine V (741-775) decided to use force to deal with bishop of Rome Gregory III. An armed fleet sent to Italy is wrecked in the Adriatic. He sequestered the roman patrimonies in Calabria and Sicily and transferred the ecclesiastical provinces of Illyricum and Sicily from Rome jurisdiction to Constantinople. Ravenna the seat of Byzantine rule fell to the Lombards. The bishop of Rome supported Eutychius to recapture Ravenna obtaining the gratitude of the Emperor. The bishop of Rome entered into alliances with the dukes Spoleto and Benevento both enemies of the Lombard King Liutprand (712-744). This infuriated the Lombards who again marched on Rome.
737
The Arabs defeated the Khazar sweeping through the north Caucasus as far north as the Don. Some 20,000 Slavs are taken prisoner and transported to Syria.
739
Gregory III (731-741) bishop of Rome appealed to Charles Martell (716-741) Mayor of Austrasia and Neustria (714-741) de facto ruler of the Franks to assist Rome but his appeals went unanswered as the Franks and Lombards already had an alliance. The bishop of Rome aligned with the treacherous Duke Trasamund of Soleto thereby inflaming the Frank King.
741
Zacharias (741-752) a Greek from Calabria is elected bishop of Rome. He immediately reversed the policy of Gregory bishop of Rome towards the Lombards promising Roman militias support and obtained the return of conquered territories and twenty years of peace. Some suggest he effectively restored the Papacy to Rome from Constantinople. Bishops Gregory II and III of Rome contributed to the Roman Catholic Church regaining its independence. The plague of 742 likely is the major factor in returning the papacy from Constantinople.
742
King Childerich II (742-752) son King Chilperich II (715-720) ruled the Franks.
746
Constantinople the capital of the Byzantine Empire is visited by plague (likely the Black Death or Bubonic Plague (Bacillus Yersinia Pestis)) that then spread to Italy and Greece killing some two hundred thousand people by 748..
747
Pepin (III) the Short, Mayor of Neustria son Charles Martel,
Mayor Austrasia and Neustria (714-741) became King of the Franks (747-768).
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