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The Neolithic Revolution was the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture. Once humans settled and farmed they would have have extra time to focus on other things. This would lead to new inventions and other advancements.
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The Greco-Persian wars were a series of wars fought between the collective force of Greek city states and Persia. Although at its peak Persia was defeated by Greeks city states and lost a few of the cities under its control.
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Alexander the Great was the King of Macedonia at the age of 1. He is known for conquering a large part of the world with his large army and great military strategy.
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After the death of Alexander the Great Chandragupta Maurya created the Mauryan Empire in India. The Mauryan Empire helped with the spread of Buddhism into other countries in Asia.
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The Han Dynasty was the unification of China under one ruler. Under the rule of one emperor the arts flourished throughout China. Confucianism was established as the basis for official and individual conduct.
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The Trans Saharan trade route was a land route through the Northern part of Africa. The use of camels made this trade route successful. This would also help with the spread of Islam into different parts of Africa.
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The Byzantine Empire began after Rome was split. The first great ruler of the Byzantine Empire went by the name of Justinian I. Justinian conquered parts of the Western Roman Empire, would build many monuments such as the Hagia Sophia, and create the Justinian Code.
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The Islamic Caliphates were ruled by a Caliph that was chosen by his predecessor. During the first two centuries the Caliphates grew through conquest spanning from Spain to North Africa to Southwest Asia.
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The Indian Ocean trade route was a network of routes to different parts of Asia and Africa. The trade allowed for cities near trade hubs to prosper and grow.
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The first crusade was called by Pope Urban II to help the Byzantine Empire and free the city of Jerusalem. This would be the first of a series of Holy Wars.
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Genghis Khan united all of the Mongolian tribes under his rule. With this unification he set out to conquer other areas. He would eventually conquer China.
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The Little Ice Age is the time period when the world experienced a cooler climate resulting in colder winters. Also during this time mountain glaciers expanded in different areas such as the European Alps.
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The Bubonic Plague originated in China but quickly spread to parts of Asia and Europe. Spread through rats and fleas, the Bubonic Plague, also known as Black Death, would infect and kill many people throughout the world. Over a five year period one third of Europe's population, 25 million people, would be killed by the Bubonic Plague.
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Christopher Columbus set sail for India from Spain by traveling Westward. Although he didn't reach India he did reach what was then known as the "New World". This would be the first of of many European ships landing in the Americas in order to colonize the land.
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Vasco de Gama was a poor Spaniard when he first set sail for India. Although already discovered by someone else Vasco de Gama would be the first to sail around the tip of Africa to India.
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Juan Ponce de Leon was a Spaniard of noble descent. In pursuit of the legendary Fountain of Youth that was "located" on island by the name of Bimini, Leon landed on what is now known as Florida.
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Hernan Cortes was a Spanish explorer that discovered Mexico and the Aztecs that lived there. Cortes and his Conquistadores would find allies in the enemies of the Aztecs and would conquer them thanks to the help of diseases and guns.
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With the death of their father, Inca Huayna Capac, the brothers Huascar and Atahualpa fought over who would succeed their father. The civil war would be won by Atahualpa, but would help the incoming Spanish conquer the Inca.
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After the civil war in the Inca Empire a Spanish Conquistador by the name of Francisco Pizzaro landed in Peru. European diseases would kill off many of the people left from the civil war making Pizzaro's conquest of the Inca easier.
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Although originally called by Paul III in 1537 some political problems delayed the council. The Council of Trent was called in order to find a resolution in the growing number of Protestants.
