970s

The 970s decade ran from January 1, 970, to December 31, 979.

Significant people

World leaders

• Al-Muti, Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate, r. 946–974
• At-Ta'i, Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate, r. 974–991
• Ashot III (the Merciful), King of Armenia, 952–977
• Smbat II (the Conqueror), King of Armenia, 977–989
• Boris II, Czar of Bulgaria, r. 969–977
• Roman, Czar of Bulgaria, r. 977–997
• Conrad, King of Burgundy, r. 937–993
• John I, Byzantine Emperor, r. 969–976
• Basil II (the Bulgar-slayer), Byzantine Emperor, r. 976–1025
• Jingzong, Liao Dynasty Emperor of China, r. 969–982
• Taizu, Song Dynasty Emperor of China, r. 960–976
• Taizong, Song Dynasty Emperor of China, r. 976–997
• Al-Hakam II, Caliph of the Caliphate of Córdoba, r. 961–976
• Hisham II, Caliph of the Caliphate of Córdoba, r. 976–1008, 1010–1012
• Harald I of Denmark, King of Denmark, r. 958–985
• Edgar the Peaceful, King of England, r. 959–975
• Eadweard II (the Martyr), King of England, r. 975–978
• Ethelred II (the Unready), King of England, r. 978–1016
• Al-Muizz Lideenillah, Caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate, r. 953–975
• Abu Mansoor Nizar al-Aziz Billah, Caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate, r. 976–996
• Lothair, King of France, r. 954–986
• Iago ap Idwal, King of Gwynedd, r. 950–979
• Hywel ap Ieuaf, King of Gwynedd, r. 979–985
• Otto I (the Great), King of Germany and Italy and Holy Roman Emperor, r. 936–973 (as King of Germany), r. 951–973 (as King of Italy), and r. 962–973 (as Holy Roman Emperor)
• Otto II (the Red), Holy Roman Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, r. 967–983
• Taksony, Grand Prince of Hungary, r. 955–973
• Géza, Grand Prince of Hungary, r. 973–997
• Domnall ua Néill, High King of Ireland, r. 956–980
• En'yū, Emperor of Japan, r. 969–984
• Bagrat II, King of Kartli, r. 958–994
• Gwangjong, King of Korea, r. 949–975
• Gyeongjong, King of Korea, r. 975–981
• Ramiro III, King of León, r. 966–984
• Georgios II, King of Makuria, r. 969–1002
• Al-Hasan ibn Kannun, Sultan of Morocco, r. 954–974 (Morocco conquered by the Fatimid Caliphate in 974)
• García Sánchez I, King of Navarre, r. 931–970
• Sancho II, King of Navarre, r. 970–994
• Harald II of Norway, King of Norway, r. 961–976
• Haakon II, King of Norway, r. 971–995
• Vigrahapala II, King of the Palan Empire, r. 960-988
• John XIII, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and ruler of Papal States, p. 965–972
• Benedict VI, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and ruler of Papal States, p. 973–974
• Benedict VII, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and ruler of Papal States, p. 974–983
• Owain ap Hywel, King of Powys and Deheubarth, r. 950–986
• Sviatoslav I, Grand Prince of Kievan Rus, r. 962–972
• Yaropolk I, Grand Prince of Kievan Rus, r. 972–980
• Cuilén, King of Scotland, r. 967–971
• Kenneth II, King of Scotland, r. 971–973, 977–995
• Amlaíb, King of Scotland, r. 973–977
• Emund Eriksson, Semi-Legendary King of Sweden, r. 932?–970
• Olof II, Semi-Legendary King of Sweden and co-king with Eric the Victorious, r. 970–975
• Eric VI (the Victorious), First historical King of Sweden, r. 970–995
• Pietro IV Candiano, Doge of the Republic of Venice, in office 959–976
• Pietro I Orseolo, Doge of the Republic of Venice, in office 976–978
• Vitale Candiano, Doge of the Republic of Venice, in office 978–979
• Tribuno Memmo, Doge of the Republic of Venice, in office 979–991

Important personalities

• Mar Abdisho I, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, held position 963–986
• Eric the Red (950–1003), Norse Explorer
• Richard I of Normandy (933–996), Duke of Normandy, r. 942–996
• Mieszko I of Poland (945?–992), Duke of Poland, r. c.960–992
• Vladimir of Kiev (958-1015), Kievan Prince and future Grand Prince of Kievan Rus

Contemporaries yet to gain fame

• Leif Ericson (970?–1020), son of Eric the Red and future explorer
• Sweyn Forkbeard (960?–1014), Danish Prince (son of Harald I of Denmark) and future king of Denmark, Norway, and England