655

Year 655 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 655 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

Events

Battle of the Masts: Emperor Constans II personally commands the Byzantine fleet, and sets off to challenge the Arab navy. He sails to the province of Lycia in the southern region of Asia Minor. The two forces meet off the coast of Phoenix (Lycia)|Mount Phoenix], near the harbour of Phoenix. The Arabs under Abdullah [ibn Saad|Abdullah ibn Sa'ad] are victorious in battle, although losses are heavy for both sides. Constans barely escapes to Constantinople.

November 15 - Battle of the Winwaed: King Oswiu of Bernicia defeats his rival, King Penda of Mercia at Cock Beck, near what later will be Leeds. Kings Cadafael Cadomedd of Gwynedd and Œthelwald of Deira, allies of Mercia, withdraw their forces before the battle begins. It marks the defeat of the last credible pagan force in England. It also sows the seeds which will lead to Anglo-Saxon acceptance of the Catholic Church.
Oswiu becomes overlord over much of Great Britain. He establishes himself as king of Mercia, setting up his son-in-law, Penda's son Peada, as a subject king over Middle Anglia.

Empress Kōgyoku re-ascends to the throne of Japan, beginning a new reign as Saimei-tennō.
Arab armies conquer Khurasan, and the Silk Road along Transoxiana.
King Vikramaditya I of Chalukya re-unites the kingdom, after defeating his brothers.