World History 600-1450 CE Timeline

Post Classical Era

Period: Jan 1, 600 to Jan 1, 1450

Islam

Jan 1, 610

Islam was founded by the prophet Muhammad on 610. Muhammad and his followers spread Islam throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Islam was a powerful empire and they improved infrastructure, agriculture, and the state of the people.

Rise of the Tang Dynasty

Jan 1, 618

The Tang Dynasty invented a lot great inventions such as the printing press, clock, and gunpowder. Intellect was an important part of Tang Dynasty and the they had many achievements in this area. The Tang Dynasty had many inventions that helped to make life easier for the upper class people at that time.

Battle of Tours

Oct 10, 732

The Battle of Tours was fought during the Muslim invasions of Western Europe in the 8th century and it is also called the "Battle of Poitiers". The winner of this battle was Charles Martel, the de facto ruler of the Frankish kingdoms who defeated Muslim invaders from Spain. Battle of Tours is an important event in history becasue this battle prevented Islam from taking over Europe. Also, it stopped the spread of Islam into western and northern Europe.

Viking Age

Jan 1, 793

The Viking Age began from 793 and ended on 1066 in Europe, especially Northern Europe and Scandinavian. The word Viking actually means "to raid" in Old Norse. The Vikings were known to attack defenseless monasteries because monasteries were wealthy and undefended easy targets.

Indian Ocean Trade

Jan 1, 800

The Indian Ocean Trade began with small trading settlements around 800 A.D., and declined in the 1500’s when Portugal invaded and tried to run the trade for its own profit. Indian Ocean trade served as an important role in history, and has been a key factor in East–West trades Long distance trade with sailboats created great impact and interaction between peoples, cultures, and civilizations.

Rise of the Song Dynasty

Jan 1, 960

Even though the Song military weakness eventually led to its decline, its economic revolutions had a great impact on China and led to Chinese hegemony during the era. The changes actually began during the Tang Dynasty but became even better during Song Dynasty. Also, there was a great increase of China's population during the Songy Dynasty.

The Norman Conquest of England

Jan 1, 1066

The Norman conquest of England was the 11th century invasion and occupation of England by an army of Norman, Breton, and French soldiers led by Duke William II of Normandy. This event is very important because the conquest changed the English language and culture, and leads to rivality with France, which would continue until the 19th century.

Battle of Manzikert

Aug 26, 1071

The Battle of Manzikert was fought between the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuq Turks near Manzikert, which resulted the defeat of the Byzantine Empire and the capture of Emperor Romanus IV Diogenes. Battle of Manzikert is important because historians have identified that this battle lead to the collapse of the Byzantine Empire.

First Crusade

Jan 1, 1095

The Crusades were a series of wars over Jerusalem between the Muslims and the Christians in the Middle Ages from 1095 to 1487. The Crusades were between the armies of the Europe, mostly the Holy Roman Empire, and the Arabs that had control of Jerusalem. The Crusaders were important because it encouraged globalization and power in Europe.

Genghis Khan

Jan 1, 1162

Mongolian warrior and ruler Genghis Khan created the largest empire in the world, the Mongol Empire, by destroying individual tribes in Northeast Asia. Genghis Khan was a strong leader. He was cruel and murderous to his enemies, but loyal to those who followed him. Genghis Khan also brought the Silk Road under his control and took care of it. This increased communication and trade between the West, Middle East and Asia.

Rise of the Mongol Empire

Jan 1, 1206

The Mongols established and ruled the largest empire ever assembled in all of world history. Also, they had a great impact on history because they improved trade throughout Asia and eastern Europe and spread traits from other cultures. Although their attacks disrupted the major trade routes, their rule eventually brought the Pax Mongolia, also known as "Mongol Peace".

Pax Mongolica

Jan 1, 1221

The Mongols destroy the Khwarzin Dynasty and assume control over their territories. This marks the beginning of the Pax Mongolica, the Mongol Peace. Global trade expanded due to the political stability provided by Mongol rulers during the Pax Mongolica. The trade centers of China and Europe were connected under Mongol rule, allowing for safe passage.

Rise of the Mali Empire

Jan 1, 1235

The Mali Empire was the largest empire in West Africa and influenced the culture of the region through the spread of its language, laws and customs along the Niger River. Mali Empire also had strong Muslim political and merchant classes that connected well with North African Muslim traders. This trading relationships brought great wealth to the Mali Empire.

The Battle of Baghdad

Jan 1, 1258

The Battle of Baghdad in 1258 was a victory for the Mongol leader Hulagu Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan. Before the battle, Hulagu Khan demanded surrender but the caliph of Baghdad refused. However, the caliph of Baghdad did not prepare for battle nor strengthened the walls of Baghdad. Baghdad was captured, sacked, and completely burned and the caliph was killed but the Mongol army.

Travels of Marco Polo

Jan 1, 1271

Marco Polo was one of the first and most famous Europeans to travel to Asia during the Middle Ages. He traveled farther than any of his predecessors during his 24-year journey along the Silk Road, reaching China and Mongolia. Also, in Mongolia, he became a confidant of Kublai Khan.

Mongols Conquer China

Jan 1, 1279

After many years of war, the Yuan Dynasty under Kublai Khan defeated the Song and united China. This is important because this was the final step for the Mongols to rule whole China under the Yuan dynasty. Kublai Khan lead the Monglols into Pax Mongolica, or Mongol peace. This time period was not only peaceful but also prosperous for the rulers and people of the era.

Mansa Musa's Pilgrimage

Jan 1, 1324

Mansa Musa was knowledgeable in Arabic and was described as a Muslim traditionalist. He became the first Muslim ruler in West Africa to make the nearly four thousand mile journey to Mecca. Musa’s pilgrimage made him very famous throughout the world. People in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa heard about his empire and started to travel to the country to trade. Mali’s cities grew with well-developed system of law and government, and more people came to live in them.

Travels of Ibn Battuta

Jan 1, 1325

Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta, was a Moroccan Muslim scholar and traveler. He is known for his traveling and going on excursions called the Rihla. His journeys lasted for almost thirty years and he covered nearly the whole Islamic world and beyond during his journey. He wrote about all of the places he traveled and compiled a detailed journal that has given historians a great deal of information about those places that he traveled.

Bubonic Plague in Europe

Jan 1, 1347

In 1347, the Black Death or Bubonic Plague, spread from China to Europe when a ship of sickened sailors brought the disease back with them from a trading trip. After five years 25 million people were dead which is about one third of Europe's population. At that time, there was a serious labor shortage because of the disease.

Rise of the Songhai Empire

Jan 1, 1464

From its capital at Gao on the Niger River, Songhai Empire expanded in all directions until it stretched from the Atlantic Ocean, to Northwest Nigeria and central Niger. Sunni Ali Ber is widely considered the first great ruler of the Songhai Empire. He continued to make larger empire, and also took control of important Trans-Saharan trade routes as well as other cities and provinces of Mali.