610 - Definition and Overview

Events

• October 4 - Heraclius arrives by ship from Africa at Constantinople, overthrows Byzantine Emperor Phocas and becomes Emperor.
• The archangel Gabriel first appears to Muhammad (according to Islamic belief), reciting to him the first verses of surat Iqra and thus beginning the revelation of the Qur'an.
• The Avars try to invade Italy.
• Gundemar succeeds Witteric as king of the Visigoths.
• The Pantheon is consecrated to the Virgin Mary and all saints (possibly 609).
• Paper technology is imported into Japan.
• The Serbs begin to settle in the Balkans.
• St. Columbanus and St. Gall begin missionary work in Bregenz.
• St. John the Merciful becomes Patriarch of Alexandria.

Births

Deaths

• Phocas, Byzantine emperor (murdered by mob)
• Witteric, king of the Visigoths.

See also

• 610 (telephone)