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476
Fall of Roman Empire
The Roman Empire fell apart around 476. By the year 500, it had been broken down into many German-ruled states. Chrsitianity had become the dominating religion, eventually playing a substantial role in the development of Europe in the post-Roman Empire era. -
Period: 500 to 510
Clovis, King of the Frankish Kingdom
In 500, Clovis was a strong military leader, and was the first Germanic leader to become a Christian. By 510, his Frankish Kingdom stretched from the Pyrenees to Eastern German lands. -
Period: 527 to 565
The Reign of Justinian
He became emperor at 527. His goal was to regain the Meditteranean world for the Roman Empire. He reached his goals by in 568. However, most of the land was later lost after his death. -
Period: 527 to Jan 1, 1423
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was a smaller portion of the Eastern Roman Empire. It contained both Greek and Christian elements. By 1025, it had resumed it's original size; however, by 1071, they would start to decline after a Turkish army defeated them. -
Period: 570 to Jun 8, 632
Muhammad's Life
Born in 570. Became caravan manager. His boss was Khadija, a widower, who would become his eventual wife. He would visit hills to pray. During one trip he recieved revelations from God. He started preaching . After three years, he had only 30 followers, so he moved to Madinah. Got support here. In 630, he moved to Mekkah, and captured it using his followers. Two years later he dies. -
Sep 12, 622
Hijrah
Muhammad and his 30 followers moved to Madinah to gain more followers. This led to the expansion of his group. -
Sep 12, 632
First Caliph
Abu Bakr takes over after Muhammad's death. He is the first caliph (succesor). He was Muhammad's father in law, and was a wealthy merchant. -
Jan 1, 661
The Umayyads moved capital to Damascus
Mu'awiyah moved the capital from Madinah to Damascus. -
Period: Jan 1, 661 to Jan 1, 750
The Umayyads Dynasty
Murawiyah, the governer of Syria, became caliph. Made the caliph system hereditary. Moved capital from Madinah to Damscus, Syria. Defeated in 717 by Byzantines. -
Jan 1, 710
Crossing the Strait
Beber and Arab crossed strait of Gilbralter, occupied Southern Spain. -
Jan 1, 725
Spain Muslims center in Cordorba
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Jan 1, 732
Umayyads defeated by France
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Period: Jan 1, 750 to Jan 1, 1258
The Abbasid Dynasty
Abu al-Abbas overthrew Umayyads dynasty. They moved the capital city in Baghdad in 762. The Golden Age of Abbs was 9th Century with Harun al-Rashid. They controlled trade. Baghdad became center of trade. Individual dynasties started to establish themselves in 973. -
Period: Jan 1, 750 to
Golden Age of Islamic Society
Beginnning in 750, trade began to flourish during the Abbasid Dynasty. Women had spiritual and social equality with men.Muslims embraced Greek philosophy. Invented astrolabes. Able to express Islamic art in their Muslim mosques. -
Jan 1, 762
Baghdad
Abbasids moved capital to Baghdad, it was well placed on a caravan route. This would contribute to Abbasid dynasties later wealth. -
Jan 1, 1055
Seljuk Turks Takeover
When the Fatimids took over, they hired nomads to build their strong army. The nomad group who soon gained more and more power were the Seljuk Turks. Soon, they gained enough power that in 1055, their Turkish leader was able to capture Baghdad and gain control of the whole empire. He would become the sultan, making the Abbasid caliph simply a religious figure-head. -
Oct 4, 1066
William of Normandy and Battle of Hastings
William of Normandy landed on coast of England and defeated King Harold at Battle of Hastings. He would later be crowned king of England. This crowning would lead to the combination of Norman and Anglo-Saxon elements. -
Period: Jan 1, 1095 to Jan 1, 1272
Crusades (and Pope Urban II)
The Crusades were military expeditions led by the Pope with the goal of capturing Jerusalem from the Muslims. Pope Urban II responded to request by the Byzantine emperor Alexius I to help defend against the Seljuk Turks. Seljuk Turks were Muslims. This would effectively launch the first crusade. The only crusade to actually succeed for the Catholics was the first one. However, the Crusades would introduce Europe to more advanced techonology and help update their society. -
Jan 1, 1215
King John and the Magna Carta
English nobles hated King John and his growing power. In response, they forced him to sign a document called the Magna Carta at Runnymede. Recognized the fact that a Monarch's power is limited and not absolute. -
Jan 1, 1258
Mongols in The Middle East
Lead by Hulegu, the Mongols captured Persia and Mesopotamia. They ended the Abbasid caliphate at Baghdad. Though Hulegu didn't like Islam and destroyed Baghdad in 1258, Mongols eventually converted to Islam and intermarried with the people. -
Period: Oct 1, 1347 to Jan 1, 1351
Black Death
The Black Death, bubonic plague, was spread by infested rats brought from Italy. By the end of 1347, it had spread to southern Italy and southern France. In 1349, it began to destory the populations of England. 38 million people died out of 75 million people in Europe. -
Period: Jan 1, 1378 to Jan 1, 1417
The Great Schism
Division of Catholic church and Europe between two Popes. Each Pope proclaimed the other the antichrist. People's faith in church fell. -
Period: Jan 1, 1478 to
Spanish Inquisition
Wanted to drive out Judaism and Islam from Spain. Established by Queen Isabella to supress any heretics in Spain. Tortured and questioned many heretics. -
Charlemagne becomes ruler of Franks Kingdom
He was determined, decisive, intelligent, curious, Christian and illiterate. -
Charles dies, Kingdom falls apart
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Feudalism begins to develop
After the death of Charlemagne, his kingdom was left vunerable to invasions by vikings. The people, in response, looked to the nobility for protection. In return for their service and loyalty, people would be given protection from their lords. This system would be called Feudalism. Another part of Feudalism include vassals. Vassals acted as a military force for their lord. These vassals were later given fiefs, a grant of land, in return for their loyalty and services. -
Cairo becomes capital
The Fatimids were part of the provinces that broke away from the Abbasid empire, establishing their own capital in Cairo in 973. The center of the cultural Islan world would soon shift there. Trade would be directed there. -
Period: to
Charles expanded terriortory
Expanded terriortory to much of Western and Central Europe. -
Period: to Jan 1, 1160
Holy Roman Empire
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Period: to
The Holy Roman Empire
During the 10th century, the Saxons became the kings of the eastern part of the Frankish kingdom. Otto I protected the pope, and in return, became the emperor of the Romans in 962. He tried to capture Italy since he considered in the ceneter of the holy empire. However, he was opposed by the Pope and the Italian people who did want to be ruled by him. Since he spent all his time in Italy, the Germans were left with a weak goverment and instead, was split up into individual kingdoms.
