970s

The 970s decade ran from January 1, 970 to December 31, 979.

Significant People

World Leaders

• Al-Muti, Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate, r. 946-974
• At-Ta'i, Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate, r. 974-991
• Ashot III (the Merciful), King of Armenia, 952-977
• Smbat II (the Conquerer), King of Armenia, 977-989
• Boris II, Czar of Bulgaria, r. 969-977
• Roman, Czar of Bulgaria, r. 977-997
• Conrad, King of Burgundy, r. 937-993
• John I, Byzantine Emperor, r. 969-976
• Basil II (the Bulgar-slayer), Byzantine Emperor, r. 976-1025
• Jingzong, Liao Dynasty Emperor of China, r. 969-982
• Taizu, Song Dynasty Emperor of China, r. 960-976
• Taizong, Song Dynasty Emperor of China, r. 976-997
• Al-Hakam II, Caliph of the Caliphate of Córdoba, r. 961-976
• Hisham II, Caliph of the Caliphate of Córdoba, r. 976-1008, 1010-1012
• Harald I of Denmark, King of Denmark, r. 958-985
• Edgar the Peaceful, King of England, r. 959-975
• Eadweard II (the Martyr), King of England, r. 975-978
• Ethelred II (the Unready), King of England, r. 978-1016
• Al-Muizz Lideenillah, Caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate, r. 953-975
• Abu Mansoor Nizar al-Aziz Billah, Caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate, r. 976-996
• Lothair, King of France, r. 954-986
• Iago ap Idwal, King of Gwynedd, r. 950-979
• Hywel ap Ieuaf, King of Gwynedd, r. 979-985
• Otto I (the Great), King of Germany and Italy and Holy Roman Emperor, r. 936-973 (as King of Germany), r. 951-973 (as King of Italy), and r. 962-973 (as Holy Roman Emperor)
• Otto II (the Red), Holy Roman Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, r. 967-983
• Taksony, Grand Prince of Hungary, r. 955-973
• Géza, Grand Prince of Hungary, r. 973-997
• Domnall ua Néill, High King of Ireland, r. 956-980
• En'yū, Emperor of Japan, r. 969-984
• Bagrat II, King of Kartli, r. 958-994
• Gwangjong, King of Korea, r. 949-975
• Gyeongjong, King of Korea, r. 975-981
• Ramiro III, King of León, r. 966-984
• Al-Hasan ibn Kannun, Sultan of Morocco, r. 954-974 (Morocco conquered by the Fatimid Caliphate in 974)
• García Sánchez I, King of Navarre, r. 931-970
• Sancho II, King of Navarre, r. 970-994
• Harald II of Norway, King of Norway, r. 961-976
• Haakon II, King of Norway, r. 971-995
• John XIII, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and ruler of Papal States, p. 965-972
• Benedict VI, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and ruler of Papal States, p. 973-974
• Benedict VII, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and ruler of Papal States, p. 974-983
• Owain ap Hywel, King of Powys and Deheubarth, r. 950-986
• Sviatoslav I, Grand Prince of Kievan Rus, r. 962-972
• Yaropolk I, Grand Prince of Kievan Rus, r. 972-980
• Cuilén, King of Scotland, r. 967-971
• Kenneth II, King of Scotland, r. 971-973, 977-995
• Amlaíb, King of Scotland, r. 973-977
• Emund Eriksson, Semi-Legendary King of Sweden, r. 932?-970
• Olof II, Semi-Legendary King of Sweden and co-king with Eric the Victorious, r. 970-975
• Eric VI (the Victorious), First historical King of Sweden, r. 970-995
• Pietro IV Candiano, Doge of the Republic of Venice, in office 959-976
• Pietro I Orseolo, Doge of the Republic of Venice, in office 976-978
• Vitale Candiano, Doge of the Republic of Venice, in office 978-979
• Tribuno Memmo, Doge of the Republic of Venice, in office 979-991

Important Personalities

• Mar Abdisho I, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, held position 963-986
• Eric the Red (950-1003), Norse Explorer
• Richard I of Normandy (933-996), Duke of Normandy, r. 942-996
• Mieszko I of Poland (945?-992), Duke of Poland, r. c.960-992

Contemporaries Yet to Gain Fame

• Leif Ericson (970-1020), son of Eric the Red and future explorer