Pope Severinus (died 2 August 640) was the bishop of Rome elected in October 638. He was caught up in a power struggle with Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, who pressured him to accept Monothelitism. Severinus refused, which for over eighteen months hindered his efforts to obtain imperial recognition of his election. His pontificate was finally sanctioned on 28 May 640, but he died two months later.
Honorius I ends his reign as Catholic Pope; Pope Severinus elected
Pope Severinus (died 2 August 640) was the bishop of Rome elected in October 638. He was caught up in a power struggle with Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, who pressured him to accept Monothelitism.
Historical Significance
Pope Severinus (died 2 August 640) was the bishop of Rome elected in October 638.
Events Before
Chintila becomes the Visigothic king of Hispania upon the death of King Sisenand
Chintila becomes the Visigothic king of Hispania upon the death of King Sisenand
Fifth Council of Toledo, of 22 bishops, convened by Visigothic King Chintila to help shore up his reign
Fifth Council of Toledo, of 22 bishops, convened by Visigothic King Chintila to help shore up his reign
Arabs gain control of most of the Region of Palestine from the Byzantine Empire
The region of Palestine is part of the Levant, a land bridge between Africa and Eurasia that has traditionally served as the "crossroads of Western Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Northeast...
Beginning of the five-day decisive Battle at Yarmuk: Muslim forces defeat the Byzantine army to take control of Syria fo
Beginning of the five-day decisive Battle at Yarmuk: Muslim forces defeat the Byzantine army to take control of Syria for the first time
Antioch surrenders to the Muslim forces under Rashidun Caliphate after the Battle of Iron bridge
The Battle of the Iron Bridge was fought between the Muslim Rashidun army and the Byzantine army in 637 AD.
Events After
Severinus begins his reign as Catholic Pope (elected in 638)
Severinus begins his reign as Catholic Pope (elected in 638)
Arab Muslim army sent by Caliph Omar begins siege of Heliopolis, city succumbs mid to late July, paving way for Muslim c
Arab Muslim army sent by Caliph Omar begins siege of Heliopolis, city succumbs mid to late July, paving way for Muslim conquest of Byzantine Egypt
John IV begins his reign as Catholic Pope
John IV begins his reign as Catholic Pope
Eligius (Saint Eloy) becomes bishop of Doornik-Noyon
Eligius (Saint Eloy) becomes bishop of Doornik-Noyon
Arabic-Islamic army conquers Romans at Alexandria, taking control of Egypt
Arabic-Islamic army conquers Romans at Alexandria, taking control of Egypt
More from the 630s
Conquest of Mecca: Prophet Muhammad sets out with an army of 10,000 to capture Mecca
The conquest of Mecca was a military campaign undertaken by Muhammad and his companions during the Muslim–Quraysh War.
Emperor Taizong of Tang sends envoys to the Xueyantuo bearing gold and silk for the release of Chinese prisoners capture
Emperor Taizong of Tang sends envoys to the Xueyantuo bearing gold and silk for the release of Chinese prisoners captured on the northern frontier during the transition from the Sui to Tang dynasty and succeeds in freeing 80,000
Chintila becomes the Visigothic king of Hispania upon the death of King Sisenand
Chintila becomes the Visigothic king of Hispania upon the death of King Sisenand
Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem
Heraclius was Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the Exarch of Africa, led a revolt against the unpopular emperor...
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on October 12, 638?
- Pope Severinus (died 2 August 640) was the bishop of Rome elected in October 638. He was caught up in a power struggle with Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, who pressured him to accept Monothelitism. Severinus refused, which for over eighteen months hindered his efforts to obtain imperial recognition of his election.
- Why is Honorius I ends his reign as Catholic Pope; Pope Severinus elected significant?
- Pope Severinus (died 2 August 640) was the bishop of Rome elected in October 638.