Timeline of Rome

7th Century AD – The Rise of Papal Power

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In the 7th century AD, Italy remained under strain as Byzantine governors (Exarchs) struggled to hold onto coastal enclaves, while Lombard kings and dukes expanded in the north and south. The papacy continued to grow in influence, with popes contending against both imperial intervention from Constantinople and the shifting power blocs within Italy. New dioceses, such as those in Cosenza, Otranto, and Rossano, appeared alongside ecclesiastical structures like Naples’s Church of Santa Restituta, built on the ruins of a pagan temple. This dynamic century saw ongoing Lombard-Byzantine treaties, raids from Saracen fleets, political upheavals in Ravenna, and further religious controversies (like Monothelitism), all reshaping Italy’s religious and political landscape.

Full Chronological Summary (7th Century AD)

New Dioceses (7th Century)

  • Cosenza
  • Otranto
  • Rossano

Note: Some of these sees existed earlier in some form, but gained official or renewed standing during this century.

Construction of Santa Restituta, Naples

  • Built on the site of a former Temple of Apollo, reusing Corinthian columns.
  • Served as Naples’s cathedral prior to the construction of San Gennaro in the 13th–14th centuries.
  • Some sources erroneously date its founding to Emperor Constantine in the 4th century.

601 AD

  • Exarch Callinicus tries extending peace between Byzantines & Lombards.
    • His attempt fails after he imprisons King Agilulf’s daughter and son-in-law, provoking a Lombard invasion.
    • Lombards devastate Pavia, capture Monselice.
  • Petrus II becomes bishop of Otranto.
  • Pestilence strikes Rome.

602 AD

  • (Nov 27) Emperor Maurice is assassinated by Phocas, who declares himself Byzantine Emperor.

603 AD

  • Exarch Callinicus dies; Emperor Phocas reappoints Smaragdus as Exarch of Ravenna.
  • Smaragdus initially refuses to free Agilulf’s captured daughter and son-in-law, prolonging war with the Lombards.
  • (July) Lombards capture Cremona, Mantua, and Vulturina.
  • Smaragdus finally releases the hostages, restoring peace.
  • Victor, bishop of Palermo, dies; succeeded by Joannes.

604 AD

  • Visigoths seize the final Byzantine territories in Spain.
  • (Mar 12) Pope Gregory I dies; (Sept 13) Pope Sabinian succeeds him.

605 AD

  • Peace treaty concluded between Byzantines & Lombards.
  • Pestilence in Italy kills humans and livestock (to 606).

606 AD

  • (Feb 22) Pope Sabinian dies.

607 AD

  • (Feb 19) Boniface III becomes pope, dies (Nov 12).

608 AD

  • (Aug 25) St. Boniface IV (from the Marsian town of Valeria) becomes Pope.

610 AD

  • (Oct 4) Heraclius overthrows Phocas, becomes Byzantine Emperor.
  • Heraclius makes Greek the Empire’s official language, symbolically shifting from Latin tradition.
  • Term “Byzantine” is an 18th-century invention; contemporaries still see themselves as Romans.

611 AD

  • John I Lemigius replaces Smaragdus as Exarch of Ravenna.

614 AD

  • Epidemic of elephantiasis in Italy.

615 AD

  • (May 8 or 25) Pope Boniface IV dies; (Oct 19) Pope Adeodatus (Deusdedit) I succeeds him.
  • Rome damaged by earthquake & flood, followed by plague with severe swellings.
  • John I Lemigius (Exarch) is killed in an uprising; Eleutherius becomes Exarch.

616 AD

  • (c.) Agilulf, King of the Lombards, dies; succeeded by his son Adaloald.

618 AD

  • (Nov 8) Pope Adeodatus I dies.

619 AD

  • (Dec 23) Boniface V (from Naples) becomes Pope.
  • Rebels under dux John of Compsa seize Naples (alt. 615).
  • Exarch Eleutherius suppresses the revolt, kills John.
  • Eleutherius pays the Lombards annual tribute to maintain peace.
  • Eleutherius then rebels against Emperor Heraclius, proclaiming himself emperor.

620 AD

  • Eleutherius marches toward Rome intending to make it his capital. He’s murdered by his own men en route.
  • His decapitated head is sent to Heraclius.
  • Emperor Heraclius appoints Isaac the Armenian as Exarch of Ravenna.

622 AD

  • Hijra: Muhammad flees Mecca for Medina; start of the Islamic calendar (1 AH).

624 AD

  • Byzantines recapture Andalusia from the Visigoths.

625 AD

  • (Oct 25) Pope Boniface V dies; (Oct 27) Honorius I (Campanian) becomes Pope.

626 AD

  • Lombard King Adaloald dies, succeeded by Ariold (a possible textual confusion with “Arioald”).

632 AD

  • (June 8) Death of Muhammad.

636 AD

  • King Arioald of the Lombards dies; succeeded by Rothari.

638 AD

  • (Oct 12) Pope Honorius I dies; Severinus is elected but not confirmed by Emperor Heraclius due to the Ecthesis (Monothelitism).
  • While Severinus waits, the official Maurice and Exarch Isaac the Armenian loot the Lateran Palace.
  • Isaac executes Maurice.
  • Byzantine Duchy of Naples established; initial dukes are imperial appointees under the Strategos of Sicily.

640 AD

  • (May 28) Severinus becomes pope but dies (Aug 2).
  • (Dec 24) John IV succeeds him.

641 AD

  • Arichis (Arechi) I, Duke of Benevento, dies; succeeded by Aiulf (Aio) I.
  • (Feb 11) Emperor Heraclius dies.
    • Rapid succession: Constantine III + Heraklonas co-rule; Constantine III dies (Apr/May), Heraklonas is sole ruler. Revolt forces him to name Constans II as co-Emperor. Heraklonas is soon deposed, leaving Constans II (grandson of Heraclius) sole emperor.
  • Arabs capture Alexandria, burn the last books of the Great Library.

642 AD

  • Lombards seize Genoa from Byzantines.
  • (Oct 12) Pope John IV dies; (Nov 24) Theodore I succeeds him.

643 AD

  • Lombard King Rothari issues the Edictus Rothari, a Lombard law code.
  • Lombards defeat Byzantines near the river Panaro; Exarch Isaac the Armenian is killed.
  • He’s replaced by Theodore I Calliopolis as Exarch of Ravenna.

645 AD

  • Exarch Theodore I Calliopolis is recalled to Constantinople.

646 AD

  • Plato becomes Exarch of Ravenna, supporting Monothelitism.
  • Radoald becomes Duke of Benevento.

649 AD

  • Diocese of Atella is suppressed.
  • Saracen fleets begin operating in the western Mediterranean.
  • (May 14) Pope Theodore I dies; (July 5) Martin I succeeds him.
  • (Oct 5–31) Lateran Synod (105 bishops) condemns Monothelitism.
  • Emperor Constans II sends Olympius to Italy as Exarch to arrest Pope Martin I for opposing monothelitism, but local bishops and populace side with Martin.

650 AD

  • Earthquake in NE Sicily.

651 AD

  • Olympius, Exarch of Ravenna, deserts Emperor Constans II’s cause, supports Pope Martin I.
  • Olympius revolts, declaring himself emperor.
  • Grimoald I becomes Duke of Benevento.
  • Possible first Saracen raid on Sicily; Arabs had seized North Africa from the Eastern Empire. (Alt. 652).

652 AD

  • Lombard King Rothari dies; succeeded by Rodoald.
  • Saracens from Syria under Mu’àuia ibn-Hodeig raid Sicily, remain for years collecting loot/slaves.
  • Olympius moves into Sicily, presumably to confront the Saracens, but he and many soldiers die of plague.

653 AD

  • Rodoald dies; succeeded by Aripert I.
  • (June 15) Pope Martin I arrested by Exarch officials on Emperor Constans II’s order.

654 AD

  • Emperor Constans II deposes Pope Martin I (exiled to Crimea).
  • (Aug 10) Pope Eugene I succeeds Martin.

655 AD

  • (Sept 1) Deposed Pope Martin I dies in exile at Cherson.

657 AD

  • (June 2) Pope Eugene I dies; (July 30) St. Vitalian becomes pope.

661 AD

  • Emperor Constans II grants Naples the right to select its own local duke, still under Byzantium.
  • Basil, first native Duke of Naples, appointed.
  • Lombards capture Taranto.
  • Lombard King Aripert I dies. Sons Godepert and Perctarit co-rule.

662 AD

  • Grimoald I, Duke of Benevento, deposes Perctarit, kills Godepert, seizes Lombard throne.
  • Romoald I becomes Duke of Benevento.
  • Constans II departs Constantinople with an army, planning to move imperial court to Rome.
  • Lands at Taranto, readies to invade Benevento.

663 AD

  • Constans II captures Luceria, Bovino; devastates towns.
  • Besieges Benevento; forced to grant terms upon hearing Grimoald approaches.
  • Constans II moves to Rome (July 1–12), loots church treasures, including Pantheon’s bronze tiles, leaves for Naples then southern Italy.
  • Crosses to Sicily, settling at Syracuse to establish a new capital.
  • Part of Benevento’s walls are rebuilt.
  • Slavic raiders destroy Sipontum (rebuilt shortly after).
  • Bovino [FG] destroyed by Byzantines.

664 AD

  • From Sicily, Constans II campaigns vs. Saracens in North Africa, retakes Carthage.
  • Gregory becomes Exarch of Ravenna, succeeding Theodore I Calliopas.
  • Lombards seize Matera, add it to Benevento.

665 AD

  • Pestilence in Italy.

666 AD

  • Theophylactus (Theophilatus) I is Duke of Naples.
  • Possible Saracen raid on Sicily.
  • Plague in Rome.

668 AD

  • (Sept 15) Emperor Constans II assassinated in Syracuse by his chamberlain Andreas (a soap-dish to the head).
  • Armenian officer Mezezius revolts, declares himself Emperor at Syracuse.
  • Constantine IV Pogonatus, son of Constans II, recognized in Constantinople; personally leads an army to quell Mezezius.

669 AD

  • Mezezius is defeated & killed.
  • Saracens use the chaos to raid Syracuse with 200 ships, looting for a month.

670 AD

  • Cosmas becomes Duke of Naples.

671 AD

  • Lombard King Grimoald I dies.
  • Minor son Garibald rules briefly before exiled by returning Perctarit.
  • Perctarit resumes the Lombard throne.

672 AD

  • (Jan 27) Pope Vitalian dies; (Apr 11) Adeodatus II succeeds him.

673 AD

  • Andrew I becomes Duke of Naples.

674–680 AD

  • Saracens besiege Constantinople for the first time.
  • Romoald I (Benevento) destroys Brundisium (Brindisi).

676 AD

  • (June 17) Pope Adeodatus II dies; (Nov 2) Donus succeeds him.

677 AD

  • Exarch Theodore II is replaced by Gregory (who served 664–677).
  • Possibly this year, Grimoald II becomes Duke of Benevento.
  • Caesarius I is Duke of Naples.

678 AD

  • (Apr 11) Pope Donus dies; (June 27) St. Agatho (Sicilian) becomes Pope.

680 AD

  • Gisulf I becomes Duke of Benevento.
  • Lombard King Perctarit names son Cunincpert co-ruler.
  • Diocese of Forconium (in Abruzzo) founded—precursor to Aquila.
  • Suspected plague outbreak in Rome & northern cities.

681 AD

  • (Jan 10) Pope Agatho dies.

682 AD

  • (Aug 17) St. Leo II (Sicilian) becomes Pope.

683 AD

  • (July) Pope Leo II dies; (June 26) Benedict II is pope. (Chronology is tricky but effectively Benedict II follows Leo II the same year.)
  • Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

685 AD

  • (Feb 26) Another Vesuvius eruption continues through March.
  • (Sept) Emperor Constantine IV dies of dysentery, succeeded by son Justinian II.
  • Pope Benedict II dies; (July 23) John V succeeds him.

686 AD

  • (Aug 2) Pope John V dies; (Oct 21) Conon succeeds him.
  • Conon’s father was a Thracian officer in Byzantine service; Conon likely born/educated in Sicily.

687 AD

  • John II Platinus replaces Theodore II as Exarch of Ravenna.
  • Bonellus becomes Duke of Naples.
  • (Sept 21) Pope Conon dies; (Dec 15) Sergius I crowned.
  • Exarch John II Platinus initially backed antipope Paschal for 100 lbs of gold; fails, then demands Sergius pay it. Sergius refuses, but Romans pay it to avert conflict.

688

  • Lombard King Perctarit is assassinated.

690

  • Lombards of Benevento gain Bari, rule it via gastalds.

691

  • Emperor Justinian II’s official Zacharias tries to arrest Pope Sergius I for rejecting the Quinisext canons.
  • Byzantine troops in Ravenna & Pentapolis side with Sergius, force Zacharias to flee.

692

  • Sicily becomes a Byzantine theme (province) under a strategos.

695

  • Justinian II is overthrown, mutilated (nose slit), exiled. Leontius usurps the throne.

696

  • Theodosius becomes Duke of Naples.

698

  • Saracens capture Carthage, nearly destroying it; Sicily is now frontline for future raids.
  • Leontius is deposed, mutilated, imprisoned by Tiberius III.

700

  • Lombard King Cunincpert dies. Son Liutpert inherits, with Ansprand as regent.
  • Saracens massacre Christians on Pantelleria; internal discord halts a Sicily invasion.

Key Takeaways

  1. Byzantine vs. Lombard Shifts
    • Exarchs often changed or rebelled, and Lombard kings overcame internal struggles. The patchwork of Lombard Duchies (especially Benevento) continued expanding in southern Italy.
  2. Religious and Cultural Developments
    • Popes frequently confronted imperial policy (e.g. Monothelitism); many were of Sicilian or Campanian origin.
    • Santa Restituta in Naples was built, reflecting continued Christianization on former pagan sites.
  3. Ongoing Plague, Raids, and Warfare
    • Plague outbreaks, Saracen raids into Sicily, and internal Byzantine revolts destabilized the peninsula.
    • Devastation of classical structures continued under Emperor Constans II’s campaigns.
  4. Regional Autonomy
    • Naples, though still Byzantine, could choose its own dukes after 661.
    • Lombard Benevento advanced in Apulia and Basilicata (e.g. capturing Matera, Bari, Taranto).
  5. Rise of Islam
    • The first Saracen forays into Sicily foreshadow major invasions in the 8th–9th centuries.
    • Islamic expansion also pressured Byzantium in Africa, heightening threats to Italy’s southern coasts.

By century’s end (700 AD), Italy was fragmented among Lombard-held territories, Byzantine strongholds, and nascent local powers like the Duchy of Naples—foreshadowing an increasingly medieval patchwork in the 8th century.