Second Arab siege of Constantinople
Greek fire and winter destroy the caliph's army and fleet
In 717 a huge Arab army and fleet laid siege to Constantinople. Emperor Leo III beat off the assault, Greek fire burned the ships, and a harsh winter, hunger and Bulgar attacks wore down the besiegers, who withdrew in August 718. The victory halted the caliphate's advance into Europe from the east for centuries.
Wikipedia (Russian) · Wikipedia (English) · 8th century
Meanwhile around the world (±25 years)
Africa
- 698 Fall of Carthage and the Arab conquest of the Maghreb — 19 years earlier
- c. 700 The rise of the Kanem Empire — 17 years earlier
Asia
- 732 The Orkhon inscriptions — 15 years later
Alive at the time
- Li Bai (aged 16)
- Lady Six Sky (aged 35)