Middle Ages

By dschock
  • 500

    Roman Empire

    City of Rome had the largest population of any city in the empire. Christianity spread very fast in the Roman Empire when a report that Jesus had overcome death. (won followers in Jerusalem throughout Judaea and Galilee. Decline was after Marcus Aurelius died (last of five good emperors).
  • Period: 500 to Dec 31, 1500

    Middle Ages

  • 510

    Clovis

    Established Frankish kingdom. First Germanic ruler to convert to Christianity.
  • 520

    Roman Catholic Church

    Supreme religion of the Roman Empire. When official Roman state fell apart, the church played an increasingly important role in the growth of the new European civilization.
  • 527

    The Reign of Justinian

    Became Eastern Roman Empire. His codification of the Roman laws was used in the West and became the basis for much of the legal system of Europe.
  • 527

    Byzantine Empire

    Roman Empire during the Middle Ages centered in Constantinople. Germanic tribes moved into the western part of the Roman Empire and established their states.
  • Jan 1, 610

    Prophet Muhammad

    Muhammad receives his first message from the angel Gabriel.
  • Jan 1, 622

    Hijrah

    Journey of Muhammad and his followers to Medina.
  • Jan 1, 632

    Abu Bakr

    Named caliph after Muhammad died.
  • Jan 1, 661

    Umayyads

    Establish Islamic empire, moving the capital of the Arab empire from Medina to Damascus.
  • Jan 1, 710

    Damascus

    This was the capital around 710, located in Syria.
  • Jan 1, 750

    Abbasid

    Overthrew Umayyad Dynasty and set up their own dynasty, lasting until 1258.
  • Jan 1, 762

    Baghdad

    The Abbasids built this new capital city far to the east of the Umayyad capital at Damascus.
  • Jan 1, 1055

    Seljuk Turks

    Seljuk Turks grew stronger as the Abbasids became weaker. Captured Baghdad and took command of the empire.
  • Oct 14, 1066

    William of Normandy

    Led heavily armed knights to the coast of England and defeated King Harold and his soldiers at the Battle of Hastings.
  • Oct 14, 1066

    Battle of Hastings

    William of Normandy landed on the coast of England and defeated King Harold and his soldiers.
  • Jan 1, 1099

    Pope Urban II

    When Alexius I asked the Europeans for help against the Seljuk Turks, Pope Urban responded to the request because he saw an opportunity to provide Papal leadership. This rallied the warriors of Europe for liberation of Jerusalem and the Holy Land fro m the Infidels and nonbelievers (Muslims).
  • Jan 1, 1099

    Crusades

    The Crusades were a series of military expeditions carrried out by the European Christians. The need for the Crusades was brought upon Pope Urban II when Alexius I asked the Europeans for help against the Seljuk Turks. The first Crusade was the only successful one, capturing Jerusalem in June 1099.
  • Jan 1, 1215

    The Reign of King John

    Many rose in rebellion during his reign. He was forced to put his seal on a document of rights called the Magna Carta, in Runnymede.
  • Jan 1, 1215

    Magna Carta

    Document of rights signed by King John at Runnymede.
  • Jan 1, 1258

    Mongols in the Middle East

    Mongols capture Baghdad.
  • Sep 17, 1258

    The Islamic Golden Age

    While the Abbasid Dynasty was in charge during the Middle Ages, this period was called the Golden Age of Islamic Society. Muslims became very intellectual when it came to science, philosophy, medicine and education. The Abbasids established the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, where both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars tried to translate much of the world's knowledge into Arabic.
  • Jan 1, 1347

    The Black Death

    Most devastating natural disaster in European history. Bubonic plague (most common form of the Black Death) was spread by black rats infested with fleas carrying a deadly bacterium. Black Death followed many trade routes and killed a total of 38 million people.
  • Sep 17, 1480

    Spanish Inquisition

    Tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs. Intended to maintain Catholic Orthodoxy in their kingdoms and replace Medieval Inquisition that was under Papal control.

  • Charlemagne

    New Ruler of the Frankish Kingdom. During rule from 768-814, Charlemagne greatly expanded the territory of the Frankish Kingdom and created the Carolingian Empire.

  • Feudalism

    Political system where powerful lords offered protection for services from a lower class. Came into place after death of Chalremagne.

  • Holy Roman Empire

    Empire Otto I became the leader of the new Roman Empire. King Fredrick attempted to conquer northern Italy was opposed by the Pope and the cities of northern Italy. In the end, the German Holy Roman Emperor had no real power over either Germany or Italy.

  • Cairo

    Founded by the Fatimid Dynasty in 970.