608

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Heraclian revolt: Heraclius the Elder, exarch of Africa, and his son revolt against Emperor Phocas, whose regime in Constantinople has become unpopular and violent.
• Heraclius proclaims himself and his son as consuls, claiming the imperial title—and mint coins with the two wearing the consular robes. Syria and Palaestina Prima revolt.
• Byzantine–Persian War: King Khosrau II invades Armenia, and raids deep into Anatolia through the Byzantine provinces of Cappadocia, Phrygia, Galatia, and Bithynia.

  Europe

• August 1 - The Column of Phocas at Rome is dedicated in honour of Phocas. The Corinthian column has a height of 13.6 m.

  Britain

• Eochaid Buide succeeds his father Áedán mac Gabráin as king of Dál Riata.

  Asia

• Sui Dynasty Emperor Yang of Sui expresses the desire to control routes to the West, leading to two and a half centuries of Chinese military and trading activities in Central Asia.

  By topic

Religion

• September 25 - Pope Boniface IV succeeds Boniface III, as the 67th pope of Rome.
• The observance of Halloween in the Roman Catholic Church is first recorded.
• The Georgian Orthodox Church returns to Chalcedonism.