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 Conqueror), 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
Georgios II, King of Makuria, r. 969–1002
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
Vigrahapala II, King of the Palan Empire, r. 960-988
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
Vladimir of Kiev (958-1015), Kievan Prince and future Grand Prince of Kievan Rus

Contemporaries yet to gain fame

Leif Ericson (970?–1020), son of Eric the Red and future explorer
Sweyn Forkbeard (960?–1014), Danish Prince (son of Harald I of Denmark) and future king of Denmark, Norway, and England