The world in 698 AD — what happened that year

8 events the sources record for this year, grouped by region.

What happened

Mochuo took Dingzhou; the prefect Sun Yangao died, and the people were burned and killed. (Old Book of Tang (Jiu Tangshu), Annals 舊唐書卷6 聖曆1年 8月)
Mochuo took Zhaozhou, and the prefect Gao Rui was killed. (Old Book of Tang (Jiu Tangshu), Annals 舊唐書卷6 聖曆1年 9月)
The Prince of Luling (Zhongzong) was summoned back from Fangzhou and arrived at Shendu; in the ninth month he was made crown prince. (New Book of Tang (Xin Tangshu), Annals 新唐書卷004 則天·中宗聖曆1年3月)
Mukō sends the doctor Bunchūki and eight others to the southern islands to seek out the land, and gives them weapons. (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第1 「壬寅。遣務廣貳文忌寸」)
In August 698 (Guichou day), Mochuo invades Feihu; on the day yimao he takes Dingzhou, killing the governor Sun Yangao and thousands of officials and people. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 권206 698년 항)

The Dazaifu is ordered to repair three castles: Ōno, Ki and Kikuchi. (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第1 「甲申。令大宰府繕治大」)
The Great Shrine of Taiki is moved to Watarai District. (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第1 「乙夘。遷多氣大神宮于」)

Eleven years after burial, Cuthbert's body was found not decayed, and his successor as bishop soon died. (Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People Bede HE 4.30)