982. Saracens of Africa are invited by the Greek emperors to join them in opposing Otho; battle of Basientello, total defeat of Otho; he is taken prisoner, but escapes by swimming.
983. Eric the Red, a Norseman, first visits Greenland, which he thus names, and afterward settles. See "[LEIF ERICSON DISCOVERS AMERICA]," v, 141.
Death of Otho II; Otho III succeeds to the throne of Germany under the regency of his mother, Theophania.
987. Death of Louis V, the last of the Carlovingian line; Hugh Capet is elected king of France; this inaugurates the Capetian dynasty.
988. Vladimir the Great of Russia embraces Christianity. See "[CONVERSION OF VLADIMIR THE GREAT]," v, 128.
989. Sedition in Rome; Empress Theophania arrives there and suppresses it.
In Germany rural counts and barons commence their depredations on the properties of their neighbors.
Learned men from all parts of the East flock to Cordova, Almansor, the Saracen regent, having set apart a fund to promote literature.
991. Archbishop Gerbert, of Rheims, introduces the use of Arabic numerals, which he had learned at Cordova.
Ipswich and Maldon, England, ravaged by the Danes; a tribute raised for them by means of the "Danegild" tax.