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476
Beginning of the Middle Ages
Odoacer, king of the Heruli, overthrew the last emperor of Rome, Romulus Augustulus, on September 4, 476. This event marks the end of the Roman Empire: the western empire disappears while the Byzantine eastern empire survives until the fall of Constantinople, in 1453. -
Period: 556 to 776
Gregorian Chants
Probably born between the 5th and 6th centuries in Rome, the Gregorian melody acquired its definitive form from the 9th century, during the heyday of the Carolingian dynasty and, precisely, with the Frankish king Pepin. This type of chant lasted until the end of the 8th century when it was suppressed by Charlemagne (747-814) who imposed the Roman chant. -
Period: 711 to 1492
Muslim reign in Spain
From 711 to 1492, the Iberian territory under Muslim power was administered in many different ways and by different powers, sometimes as part of Arab and Berber empires, centralized in Córdoba or divided into Taifas. -
Dec 25, 800
Coronation of Charlemagne
On the night of December 25, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, was crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Saint Peter's Cathedral, becoming one of the most powerful emperors of his time. -
1023
Invention of the Guidonian Hand
The Italian Benedictine monk Guido of Arezzo used a special mnemonic scheme in the shape of a hand, known as the "Guidonian hand". In addition, he proposed an arrangement in lines and spaces, using a line of red ink that corresponded to the fa and another of yellow ink for the do.20 This scheme was quite successful and gave rise to the tetragram, predecessor of the modern staff. -
1073
Gregorian Reform
The gregorian reform was the result of the measures adopted by the Roman pontiff Gregory VII (1073-1085). These measures sought the renewal of the Church and the affirmation of the authority of the Roman pontiff. -
Period: 1200 to 1500
Humanism
Humanism in the Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement during the 13th to 16th Centuries CE. It started in Italy and its ideas spread across Europe. -
Period: 1378 to 1418
Western Schism
It was a period of 40 years in which the catholic church went through a crisis and had two and even three popes at the same time. -
Period: 1450 to 1550
Experimentation with Cantus Firmus
During this period composers experimented with cantus firmus. Known composers during this period were Johannes Ockeghem, Jacob Obrecht, and Josquin Desprez. -
Oct 12, 1492
End of the Middle Ages
Christopher Columbus and his crew arrived in what we know today as America when he landed on the island of Guanahaní, which he baptized with the name of "San Salvador". -
1494
Beginning of the Renaissance
France invaded the Italian city of Florence in 1494. The Médici, which were ruling the city, were expelled by the french. This event marked the beginning of the Renaissance. -
1499
Louis XII invades Milan
In 1499, Louis XII of France, son of the duke of Orleans, invaded the italian city of Milan. -
1512
Michelangelo paints the Sistine Chapel
Forced into painting by the Pope, Michelangelo painted 9 scenes from the old testament onto the ceiling and walls of the Sistine Chapel. -
1517
Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation sparked by Martin Luther. Significant changes occurred to church music such as the introduction of a chorale. It was also the period when the Psalms of the Bible were translated into French and then set to music. -
Apr 6, 1520
End of the Renaissance
It can be said that 500 years ago, with an unforeseeable catastrophe, the extraordinary cycle of the Italian Renaissance came to an end. On April 6, 1520, Rafael Sanzio, an artist born in Urbino 37 years earlier, died in Rome. Everybody was devastated by this loss, and this marked the ending of the social Renaissance.