612
Year 612 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 612 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.
Events
By place
Byzantine Empire
- August 13 - Empress Eudokia, wife of Heraclius, dies of epilepsy. She leaves two children, and is buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.
Europe
- King Theudebert II is defeated by his brother Theuderic II at Toul. He is captured in battle and, after having his royal paraphernalia taken, is handed over to his grandmother Brunhilda. He is put in a monastery, and assassinated with his son Merovech. Theuderic, age 25, becomes sole ruler of Austrasia and Burgundy.
- Sisebut succeeds Gundemar as king of the Visigoths. He begins a campaign against the remains of Byzantine power in Spania.
Asia
- Goguryeo–Sui War: Emperor Yángdi invades Goguryeo with an expeditionary force of over one million men, named the "24 Armies".
- Battle of Salsu: A Sui force of 305,000 men is defeated by the Korean general Ŭlchi Mundŏk at the Yalu River; only 2,700 troops survive.
Mesoamerica
- October 22 - Sak Kʼukʼ succeeds her father Ajen Yohl Mat, as queen of the Maya state of Palenque.
By topic
Religion
- Columbanus moves to Italy and establishes the monastery of Bobbio.
- The Holy Sponge is brought to Constantinople from Palestine.
- Arnulf, counselor of Theudebert II, becomes bishop of Metz.
- Gallus founds the monastery of St. Gallen.
Births
- May 3 - Constantine III, Byzantine emperor
- Germanus of Granfelden, Frankish abbot
- Oswiu, king of Northumbria
Deaths
- c. February–March - Gundemar, king of the Visigoths
- March 6 - Janaab' Pakal, king of Palenque
- August 13 - Fabia Eudokia, Byzantine empress consort
- Áed Uaridnach, High King of Ireland
- Ajen Yohl Mat, king of Palenque
- Conall Laeg Breg, king of Brega
- Theudebert II, king of Austrasia