Postclassical Civilizations

By hfrenchk
  • Period: 330 to Feb 8, 1453

    Byzantine Empire

  • 476

    Fall of Western Rome

    The Western half of the Roman Empire collapsed, overrun by nomadic invaders. The Eastern half survived as the Byzantine Empire
  • Period: Feb 8, 751 to

    Carolignian Empire

  • Feb 8, 1054

    The Great Schism

    This was the big divide between the Christian Church, with the patriarch in Byzantium and the pope in Rome mutually excommunicating each other and then both going their separate ways.
  • Feb 8, 1071

    Battle of Manzikert

    Decisive defeat of Byzantine forces by Seljuq Turks marked the beginning of the decline of Byzantium culture that would culminate in the capture of Constantinople.
  • Feb 8, 1096

    The First Crusade

    Declared by Pope Urban II, the First Crusade led to many Christians in Europe gathering together to reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims, which they did, temporarily, until Saladin reorganized the Muslim forces and expelled the Christians for good.
  • Period: Feb 8, 1206 to Feb 8, 1227

    Reign of Genghis Khan

    Most dynamic Mongol leader, broke up tribes and remade the Mongol political system into Khanates, conquered much of Afro-Eurasia, bringing it into the largest empire the world has ever seen.
  • Period: Feb 8, 1230 to Feb 8, 1255

    Reign of Sundiata

    "The Lion Prince", Sundiata built the powerful Mali Empire in Africa after returning from eile. Known for diplomtic skills and courage in battle, he assemblefd a large army dominated by powerful cavalry.
  • Period: Feb 8, 1264 to Feb 8, 1294

    Reign of Kubilhai Khan

    Another very prolific leader of the Mongol Empire, Kubilhai Khan extended Mongol rule throughout China, bringing down Song dynasty. Also experienced a vast amount of cross-cultural interaction with Europle, including meetings with emissaries of the pope and Marco Polo.
  • Period: Feb 8, 1279 to Feb 8, 1368

    Yuan Dynasty

    The Yuan Dynasty was started by Kubilhai Khan after his Mongol forces ended the powerful Song dynasty that had been ruling.
  • Period: Feb 8, 1304 to Feb 8, 1369

    Life of Ibn Buttuta

    Ibn Buttuta was a Islamic judge that traveled worldwide enforcing Islamic law in the regions he visited. He was known for his strict interpretation of Islamic law and his published his travels afterwards.
  • Period: Feb 8, 1312 to Feb 8, 1337

    Reign of Mansa Musa

    Grand-newphew of Sundiata, leader of the Mali Empire, Mansa Musa was the richest person in the world ever. He prolifically converted to Islam, and made an incredibly important prilgrimage to Mecca
  • Feb 8, 1324

    Hajj of Mansa Musa

    Took a gargantuan caravan, with thousands of soldiers and attendants, and famously a hundred camels laden with gold. He took his time, and spent his money very freely in the cities he stopped in, Oftentimes, he spent so much money that he caused runaway inflation in the cities that he visited.
  • Period: Feb 8, 1337 to Feb 8, 1453

    Hundred Year's War

    The Hundred Years War was an ongoing conflict between England and France for control of the French throne. The French "won" if it can be called that, keeping control of the French throne with the House of Valois.
  • Period: Feb 8, 1368 to

    Ming Dynasty

    The Ming dynasty was a traditional Chinese dynasty based on Confucian education and civil service systems, and they also worked hard to eliminate all traces of the previous Mongol-led Yuan Empire. They are also well known for thei highly beautiful and intricate works of pottery.
  • Period: Feb 8, 1428 to Feb 8, 1521

    Aztec Empire

    The Aztecs were the most powerful civilization in Mesoamerica for a time, building the massive city of Tenochtitlan, site of modern-day Meico City. Their society put a strong value on sacrifice, bloodletting, and war,
  • Period: Feb 8, 1438 to Feb 8, 1533

    Inca Empire

    A powerful and sophisticated South American state, the Inca Empire utilized a variety of very tehcnologies to great use, including trepanation and quipu. They were conquered by Francisco Pizarro.
  • Feb 8, 1453

    Ottomans Capture Constantinople

    Sultan Mehmed II and the Ottoman Tuks captured Constaniople, ending the reign of the Byzantine Empire and renaming the city to it's present day name of Istanbul.
  • Feb 8, 1492

    Columbus's Voyage to America

    Christopher Columbus was the first contemporary European to establish contact with the Americas, lading among the Caribbean islands, and murdering the native islanders in scores. He was one of the people that began the rush of Euopean explorers to travel to America and find their riches in supposed "gold"
  • Feb 8, 1519

    Arrival of Spanish Conquerers in Mexico

    The Spanish arrived in the Amnericas looking for gold, and bloodily wiped out the Aztecs and then the Incas in their hunt for treasure. This was the ominous beginning to a tradition of destroying indigenous American cultures in search for precious metals.

  • Coronation of Otto I

    Coronation of Otto I as the first Holy Roman Emperor, beginning the Holy Roman Empire
  • Period: to 511

    Reign of Clovis

    Temporarily united the Germanic peoples in centralized rule
  • Period: to

    Reign of Charlemagne

    Most dynamic ruler of the Carolignian Empire, aggressively expanded borders, temporarily re-established centralized rule in Europe, maintained diplomatic relation with the Abbasid Caliphate, crowned Emperor by Pope Gregory
  • Period: to

    Holy Roman Empire

  • Period: to Feb 8, 1150

    High Point of the Toltec Empire

    One of the lesser-known American societies, the Toltecs preceded the Aztec and Inca and built a centralized state.