600s (decade)

The 600s refers to the decade spanning the years 600 to 609 inclusive. It falls within the Early Middle Ages and represents a period of significant transitions across the globe.

During this decade, various empires and kingdoms experienced shifts in power, territorial expansion, and cultural development. In Europe, the fragmentation of the Roman Empire continued, with various Germanic kingdoms consolidating their power. The Frankish Merovingian dynasty remained a dominant force, while the Visigothic Kingdom controlled much of the Iberian Peninsula.

In the Byzantine Empire, the reign of Emperor Phocas was marked by instability and internal conflict, eventually leading to his overthrow and the rise of Heraclius. This period preceded the major Byzantine-Sasanian War that would drastically reshape the Eastern Roman Empire.

In Persia, the Sasanian Empire continued to be a major power, engaged in intermittent warfare with the Byzantine Empire and facing internal challenges.

In Asia, the Sui dynasty in China maintained its control and continued major infrastructure projects like the Grand Canal. The rise of Islam, though just beginning at the end of the decade, would soon have a transformative impact on the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.

This decade provides a crucial context for understanding the subsequent developments of the 7th century, a period of profound political, religious, and cultural change.