970s

The 970s was a decade that began on 1 January 970, and ended on 31 December 979. It is distinct from the decade known as the 98th decade which began on January 1, 971 and ended on December 31, 980.

Millennium:	1st millennium
Centuries:	9th century – 10th century – 11th century
Decades:	940s 950s 960s – 970s – 980s 990s 1000s
Years:	970 971 972 973 974 975 976 977 978 979
Categories:	Births – Deaths – Architecture Establishments – Disestablishments

970

• A major volcano erupts in Mashu, Japan.
• A terrible famine begins in France.
• Eric the Victorious becomes the first king of Sweden.

Births

• August 29 – Abu Taghlib, Emir of Mosul
• Estrid of the Obotrites, future wife of king Olof Skötkonung of Sweden
• Otto, Count of Vermandois

Deaths

• Iago ab Idwal, King of Gwynedd
• 'Imran

971

• Kenneth II of Scotland succeeds Culen as King

972

• Otto II marries Theophanu, Byzantine princess
• Battle of Cedynia – Polish duke Mieszko I defeats Germans
• Pope Benedict VI succeeds Pope John XIII as pope
• Boleslaus II the Pious succeeds Boleslav I of Bohemia in Bohemia
• Yaropolk of Kiev succeeds Sviatoslav I in Kiev
• Fatimids enter Egypt, establish the Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo
• Buluggin ibn Ziri appointed viceroy in Ifriqiya, start of the Zirid dynasty
• The monastery at the site of Peterborough Cathedral is rebuilt
• Saint Eadburga is canonized
• Emperor John Tzoimisces makes eastern Bulgaria a Byzantine subject
• The city of Satu Mare, Romania is founded

973

• The Fatimids move their capital to Cairo
• Edgar of England is crowned king by Saint Dunstan
• Otto II becomes Holy Roman Emperor and King of Germany
• January 19 – Pope Benedict VI succeeds Pope John XIII as the 134th pope

974

• A great earthquake in England.
• The Carmathians are defeated in Egypt by Jawhar as-Siqilli
• The Byzantine Empire retakes Syria
• Fuzhou builds new city walls
• October – Pope Benedict VII succeeds Pope Benedict VI as the 135th pope
• Antipope Boniface VII is declared pope

975

• Coronation of King Edward the Martyr
• Emperor Taizu of Song China conquers Hunan province
• Al-Aziz becomes Fatimid Caliph

976

• January 10 – Basil II becomes Eastern Roman Emperor
• Brian Boru is inaugurated as King of Munster
• Samuil of Bulgaria becomes Tsar
• Yuelu Academy is founded in China

977

• Imam Ali Mosque is built at Najaf

978

• The revolt of Henry II, Duke of Bavaria against Otto II ends
• England's royal mint is located at Guildford

979

• March 24 – The Battle of Pankalia