639

By place

Europe

• January 19 - Dagobert I dies after a 10-year reign as king of all the Franks, in which his realm has prospered. He is succeeded by Sigebert III, independent ruler of Austrasia, and his half-brother Clovis II, who becomes king of Neustria and Burgundy. Under the supervision of Pepin of Landen, Mayor of the Palace, the royal treasury is distributed between the two brothers and widowed queen Nanthild.

  Arabian Empire

• : The Rashidun army, under the command of 'Amr ibn al-'As, invades Byzantine Egypt. They capture the strategic town of Pelusium after a two-month siege. Arab reinforcements led by Zubayr ibn al-Awam are sent from Medina to assist Amr's army. The losses incurred by the Muslims are ameliorated by Sinai Bedouins, tribes of Rashida and Lakhm; they join the invaders in conquering Egypt.
• Hormuzan, Persian satrap of Susiana, revolts against the Muslims and raids Mesopotamia. Arab forces under Abu Musa al-Asha'ari destroy Susa in the lower Zagros Mountains.
• Plague of Emmaus: An epidemic disease which has broken out in Emmaus in Palestine strikes the city and the military camps of the Muslim Arabs, killing most of its population until it subsides in October.

  Asia

• The Xueyantuo assaults the Chinese-conquered vassal of Eastern Tujue. Although simultaneously fighting in Korea against Goguryeo, Emperor Tai Zong commissions his famous general Li Shiji to fend off attacks in the campaign against Xueyantuo.
• An unsuccessful revolt of Prince Kürşat breaks out in China.

  By topic

Religion

• Eligius succeeds Acarius as bishop of Doornik and Noyon. He becomes constituted guardian of the towns of Vermandois, which include also Ghent and Kortrijk.
• The First Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is founded by the exarch Isaac of Ravenna on Torcello, confirming the island's importance as a centre of population in Venice at this date.