650
Year 650 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 650 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
Europe
- The Khazar Khaganate extends from the Dnieper to the Caspian Sea, and establishes the city, Itil, as its capital on the shore of the Caspian. Northward it extends to the headwaters of the Volga. Their rulers accept the Jewish religion, apparently to assert their independence from both Muslims and Christians.
- A Rashidun army under Abd al-Rahman ibn Rabi'a is annihilated by the Khazars, near the city of Balanjar. During the battle, both sides use catapults against the other.
Britain
- The Mercians under King Penda move on East Anglia, destroy the monastery at Burgh Castle and expel King Anna who probably flees to Magonsæte.
- King Oswiu of Bernicia seeks Irish support against the forces of Penda. While in Ireland he has a liaison with Fín, the granddaughter of King Colmán Rímid Uí Néill.
- King Cloten of Dyfed marries Princess Ceindrech of Brycheiniog, and unites the two kingdoms.
Asia
- The first Chinese paper money is issued, yet these banknotes will not become government-issued until the Song dynasty era Sichuan province issues them in the year 1024, with the central government of China following suit in the 12th century.
- Emperor Kōtoku is presented a white pheasant; he is pleased and begins a new Japanese era name to be called Hakuchi, meaning 'The White Pheasant'.
Americas
- Earliest confirmed date of habitation in the area around what is now Bluff, Utah by humans.
- Yuknoom Chʼeen II, ruler of Calakmul, attacks Dos Pilas and forces its leader, Bʼalaj Chan Kʼawiil, and a likely heir to the throne of Tikal, to take refuge at Aguateca, beginning the Second Tikal–Calakmul War.
- Jamaica is settled by the Ostinoid people, ancestors of the Taíno. They were farmers, potters, and villagers with socially complex societies. These people lived near the coast and extensively hunted turtles and fish.
Oceania
- According to legend, the Polynesian traveller Ui-te-Rangiora sailed south into the Southern Ocean where they sighted ice floes and icebergs, eventually naming the area Te tai-uka-a-pia.
By topic
Religion
- St. Martin's Church is built in Canterbury, England.
Art and science
- The panel of the Tamamushi Shrine, the so called "Hungry Tigress Jataka", is made during the Asuka period. It is now kept at Horyu-ji Treasure House.
Births
- Anastasia, Byzantine empress
- Dagobert II, king of Austrasia
- Frithuswith, Anglo-Saxon abbess
- Giles, Frankish abbot
- Jarir ibn Atiyah, Arab poet and satirist
- Sergius I, pope of Rome
- Shen Quanqi, Chinese poet and official
- Werburgh, Anglo-Saxon princess
- Yao Chong, chancellor of the Tang dynasty
Deaths
- Candrakīrti, Indian Madhyamaka philosopher
- Chen Yueyi, empress of Northern Zhou
- Ferchar mac Connaid, king of Dál Riata
- Fursey, Irish missionary