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Period: Jan 1, 1000 to Apr 16, 1500
The Year 1,000
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Apr 16, 1025
The Tale of Genji is Written
Written by Japanese aristocratic woman Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji is a novel about Prince Genji, the perfect courtier, and life in Japanese Henian high society 1,000 years ago. The translated version of the book has 54 chapters, 1,000 pages, and is considered the world's first novel and literary masterpiece. The book is very unique because at the time it was written, works of writing were mainly collections of poetry and fairy tales, not long books with developing characters and plots. -
Apr 16, 1155
Genghis Khan is Born
Genghis Khan was born around the year 1155, but would grow up to become a powerful Mongol ruler. In 1206, Genghis declared himself universal ruler and, with a mission from heaven to conquer the world, began building one of the most powerful and feared army's ever known. In the early to mid 1200's, Genghis Khan led his army and conquered many surrounding tribes and the new Mongol capital, Khanbalik (Beijing). From there, he extended the empire into Central Asia and the majority of Persia. -
Apr 16, 1230
The African Kingdom of Mali Begins
After taking over the once great kingdom of Ghana, Mali became the second largest African kingdom in 1230 until 1468. The kingdom stretched from the West African coast to the cities of Timbuktu and Gao on the River Niger and included the Islamic holy city of Mecca. This grand empire peaked under the rule of Mansa Musa and strived in education, arts, and public building. With a trade center in Timbuktu, Mali had excellent gold for salt trade routes spanning across the African desert. -
Apr 16, 1346
The Bubonic Plague Spreads in Europe
The Bubonic Plague, known as the Black Death, was an epidemic that spread across Europe from 1346 to 1353. The plague was spread during the spring and summers by fleas on rats that infected humans and caused large blisters in the thigh, armpit, groin and neck areas. There was also an airborne version, the Pneumonic plague, that spread to the lungs and caused coughing of blood. The Black Death killed over 1/3 of the population and is considered the worst natural disaster in European history. -
Apr 16, 1400
The Incan Empire
The Incan empire extended from the Andes of Peru, to Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile in South Ameica. We've learned from the ancient cities of Cuzco and Machu Pichu, but much of the Incan culture is still a mystery. Spanning from the 1400's until the Spanish invasion in 1532, the Incas had no writing system, but used terraces and canals to grow crops on the mountain sides. They used their road system for transportation and communication and built magnificent cites using large cut and polished stone.
