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972 was a year in the 10th century.

Events

By Place

Europe

• Otto II marries Theophanu, Byzantine princess.
• Battle of Cedynia: Polish duke Mieszko I defeats the Germans.
• Boleslaus II the Pious succeeds Boleslav I in Bohemia.
• The monastery at the site of Peterborough Cathedral is rebuilt.
• Emperor John Tzimisces makes eastern Bulgaria a Byzantine dependency.
• A battle between Estonian and Icelandic Vikings in Saaremaa is described in Njál's saga.
• Yaropolk of Kiev succeeds Sviatoslav I in Kiev.

Asia

• The Song Dynasty Chinese government attempts to ban the practice of cremation; despite this decree, the lower and middle classes continue to cremate their dead, until the government resolves the problem in the 12th century by establishing public graveyards for paupers.

Africa

• The Fatimids enter Egypt, where they establish the city of Cairo and the Al-Azhar mosque.
• Buluggin ibn Ziri is appointed viceroy in Ifriqiya, starting the Zirid Dynasty.

By Topic

Religion

• Pope Benedict VI succeeds Pope John XIII as pope.
• Saint Eadburga is canonized.

Births

• March 27 — King Robert II of France (d. 1031)
• Al-Mawardi
• Ermesinde of Carcassonne, countess and regent of Barcelona (d. 1057)
• Fujiwara no Yukinari
• Fulk III of Anjou
• Pope Gregory V
• Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor
• Renauld I, Count of Nevers

Deaths

• July 15 — Boleslav I of Bohemia
• September 6 — Pope John XIII
• Liutprand, bishop of Cremona and historian
• Sviatoslav I, Prince of Kiev