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476
Fall of the Roman Empire
After being attacked from Alaric, the leader of the Visigoths, Rome suffered econimical problems, military problems, and political problems. Politically, the senate became extremely corrupt and political instability came into existance. Emperor Constantine divided the empire into two halves, cutting their strength. By 300 the majority of the Roman army consisted of barabarian trained soldiers, making the battles much more difficult. Rome did not have good control over military situations. -
Period: 476 to Jan 1, 1351
The Dark Ages
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540
Justinian's Plague
The disease was born in Egypt through rats, and it spread to Constantinople during Justinian's reign, where it killed almost 5000 people, which was about half of the population. It spread for half a century and killed about 25 to 100 million people in Europe and Asia. It is said that the plague made the Persian and Byzantine Empires vuneralble to the Muslim conquest. -
570
Birth of Muhammad
Founder of the religion of Islam, and considered by Muslims to be a messenger and prophet of God, the last law-bearer in a series of Islamic prophets, and by most Muslims the last prophet of God according to the Quran. -
Oct 10, 732
The Battle of Tours
The battle contained Frankish and Burgundian forces under Austrasian Mayor of the Palace Charles Martel, against an army of the Umayyad Caliphate led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, Governor-General of al-Andalus. Fought in an area between the cities of Poitiers and Tours, located in north-central France, near the village of Moussais-la-Bataille. The Franks were victorious, Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi was killed, and Charles extended his authority in the south. -
Oct 14, 1066
Battle of Hastings
This battle was during the Norman conquest of England, between the Normandy-French army and the English Army. Harold II was king during this time period, and is said that he was shot through an eye with an arrow. The battle was fought at Senclac Hill, and was a Norman victory. -
Nov 28, 1095
Council of Clermont
Pope Urban II gave a very motivating and influential speech at the Council of Clermont. This opened a gateway to the reconquering of the holy land: Jerusalem. -
Jan 1, 1096
The First Crusade
Byzantine Emperor, Alexios I Komnenos , came to the Pope Uban II for his permission to invite any volunteers to create an army. His goal was to stop the Seljuk Terks from invading Anatolia. He also wanted to take back the Holy Land: Jerusalem. During the Crusade, Knights and peasants traveled to Jerusalem. -
Jan 1, 1206
Genghis Kahn founds Mongol Empire
Genghis Khan was elected as Khagan of the Mongols and the Mongol Empire was established. Beginning in the Central Asian steppes, it eventually stretched from Eastern Europe to the Sea of Japan, covered large parts of Siberia in the north and extended southward into Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Middle East. -
Clovis became chief of the Franks
Clovis became chief of his tribe in 481, when he was around the age of sixteen. In spite of his youth, he proved a savvy leader and a powerful warrior. He was also very ambitious, and he soon managed to depose and eliminate other chiefs and seize control of their tribes. By uniting the well-armed and skilled Frankish warriors under his command, Clovis now had the opportunity to wage war against the other peoples of Europe. -
Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor
Pope Leo the Third believed that the church should have all the power than a king. Due to Leo the Third misusing the noble's money, he was forced to flee to. Because of Charlemagne's authority, he dismissed the charges on Pope Leo the Third and returned his position. Charlemagne, on Christmas Day, was crowned by surprise by Pope Leo the Third. This tied the church and the state together, and giving the church the power. This title of Holy Roman Emperor led to conflicts with Byzantine Empire.
