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500
500
The founder of the Frankish state, Clovis, conquers most of France and Belgium. He converts his territories to Western Catholic Christianity. He also founds the Merovingian dynasty, later on passing his kingdom on to his sons. This is significant because it is the beginning of the spread of christianity. -
Period: 500 to Jan 1, 1000
The Middle Ages
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Jan 1, 610
610
Heraclius becomes the emperor in Constantinople as the Persian Empire is attempting to takeover of the Byzantine civilization. The significance of this is that the rule of Heraclius generally marks the beginning of Byzantine history. -
Jan 1, 627
627
Persia is conquered by Byzantine forces. The Jerusalem cross is retrieved from the persians, who stole the relic in 614. Heraclius reigns until his death in 641. This is significant because it effects later events to come. -
Jan 1, 650
650
Arab forces conquer most of th Byzantine territories, formerly occupied by the Persians. -
Jan 1, 677
677
The Arabs attempt to conquer Constantinople but fail. This is significant because Constantinople was a big part of The Middle Ages. -
Jan 1, 740
740
The Iconoclastic movement is initiated by Byzantine Empeor Leo, but the movement flourishes under the reign of his son Constantine V who rules until 775. The significance of this was it was technically a revolt against religion. -
Jan 1, 1025
1025
The Byzantine aristocracy gains control over the government and begins to limit the freedom of the peasantry, beginning the destruction of the economic base of Byzantine civilization. This is significcant becaude it is the beginning to the end of the Byzantine empire. -
768
Charlemagne is one of the most important rulers of medieval history. His empire includes the greater section of central Europe, northern Italy, and central Italy in addition to realms already conquered by Frankish rule. This is significant because Charlemagne is crowned emperor on Christmas day in 800, where he then establishes schools in all bishoprics and monasteries under his control. -
871
King Alfred the Great of England forms a system of government and education that allows for the unification of smaller Anglo-Saxon states in the ninth and tenth centuries. This is significant because his is responsible for the codification of English law, public interest in local government and the reorganization of the army, his innovations are continued by his successors. -
962
Otto the Great is named emperor in Rome after defeating the Hungarians. This is another significant time in history because yet again there was a new emperor that would change the empire.