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The fall of Rome marked the end of ancient history and the beginning of the medieval era. The collapse left Europe fragmented and led to the rise of various feudal kingdoms, while the Eastern Roman Empire continued as the Byzantine Empire
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Emperor Justinian I ruled the Byzantine Empire and sought to reclaim former Roman territories. He initiated significant legal reforms, creating the Corpus Juris Civilis, or "Body of Civil Law," a foundational work in European legal history
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This devastating riot in Constantinople occurred during Justinian’s reign. The violence led to a significant loss of life and resulted in the rebuilding of the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture
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Born in Mecca, Muhammad would later become the founder of Islam. His teachings formed the basis of the Qur'an and set the foundation for the spread of Islamic civilization
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The Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, is believed to have received his first revelation from the angel Gabriel in Mecca, marking the beginning of Islam. His teachings formed the basis of the Quran and eventually led to the rise of the Islamic Empire
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At the age of 40, Muhammad received his first revelation from the angel Gabriel, marking the beginning of Islam. This moment is celebrated by Muslims as the Night of Power
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Facing persecution in Mecca, Muhammad and his followers migrated to Medina, an event called the Hijra. This journey marks the start of the Islamic calendar and helped solidify Islam as a major religious and political force in Arabia
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After Muhammad's death, the Rashidun Caliphate began under Abu Bakr, one of Muhammad’s closest companions. The caliphs expanded Islamic rule across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond
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After the assassination of Ali, the fourth caliph, the Umayyad dynasty rose to power, establishing the first hereditary Islamic caliphate with its capital in Damascus. They expanded the empire into North Africa, Spain, and Central Asia.
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During this period, the Islamic world made significant advances in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy. Scholars in cities like Baghdad and Córdoba preserved Greek and Roman texts, and their own innovations laid foundations for later scientific progress
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The Umayyad forces, attempting to expand further into Europe, were defeated by Charles Martel and the Frankish forces in what is now France. This halted Islamic expansion into Western Europe
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The Abbasids overthrew the Umayyads, moving the capital to Baghdad, which became a cultural and intellectual hub. This dynasty marked the beginning of the Islamic Golden Age, renowned for advancements in science, medicine, philosophy, and literature
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Charlemagne, king of the Franks, was crowned by Pope Leo III as Emperor of the Romans. His reign marked the Carolingian Renaissance, a revival of learning and culture in Western Europe
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Byzantine missionaries Cyril and Methodius spread Christianity among the Slavic peoples, creating the Cyrillic alphabet to translate the Bible. Their work had a lasting impact on Slavic culture and Orthodox Christianity
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This formal split between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church was the result of theological, political, and cultural differences, creating two major branches of Christianity
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The Seljuk Turks defeated the Byzantine Empire in this battle, leading to the gradual loss of Byzantine territories in Anatolia. It marked the beginning of the decline of Byzantine influence in the region
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Pope Urban II called for Christian warriors to reclaim Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control. The First Crusade began a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims in the Eastern Mediterranean
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Saladin, the Muslim leader, recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders, which led to the Third Crusade. His actions unified Muslim territories and established his legacy as a great leader
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Genghis Khan unified the Mongol tribes and launched conquests across Asia, creating the largest contiguous empire in history. The Mongol Empire facilitated trade along the Silk Road but also brought devastation to many regions
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The Islamic golden age came to an end