8th century

The 8th century is the period from 701 - 800 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian Era.

The Iberian peninsula is conquered by Arab and Berber Muslims, thus ending the Visigothic rule, and starting almost eight centuries of Muslim presence there.
Sometime this century, Beowulf is probably composed.
The Pictish peoples of Scotland design the first European triangular harp
Borobodur, the famous Indonesian Buddhist structure, begins construction, probably as a non-Buddhist shrine.
Buddhist Jataka stories are translated into Syriac and Arabic as Kalilag and Damnag.
An account of Buddha's life is translated into Greek by Saint John of Damascus, and widely circulated to Christians as the story of Barlaam and Josaphat.
The Nara period begins in Japan.
The Moravian principality and the Principality of Nitra arise in central Europe (see Great Moravia)
Many Volga Bulgarians convert to Islam.
The very first Viking raid is carried out on the abbey of Lindisfarne in northern England in 793.
Kanem-Bornu arises north of Lake Chad.

Charles Martel, frankish leader until 741 (Battle of Tours, 732)
Pippin the Younger, king of the Franks until 768
Charlemagne, king of the Franks from 771 to 814
Alcuin, English monk, scholar, and teacher; Charlemagne's advisor in educational affairs
The Venerable Bede, English scholar
Harun al-Rashid, fifth Abbasid Caliph
Li Po, Chinese poet
Du Fu, Chinese poet
Dae Jo Yeong, founder of ancient Korean state, Balhae

heavy plow in use in the Rhine valley
horsecollar in use in Northern Europe in 8th or 9th century - perhaps introduced from Asia
papermaking introduced from China to Arabs
beginning of the decline of the Classical Maya civilization
ca. 770: iron horseshoes come into common use

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