time line

  • 476

    Fall of the Western Roman Empire.

  • 493

    Theodoric the Great establishes the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Ital

  • 527

    Justinian I ascends as Byzantine Emperor, later initiating major legal and architectural reforms.

  • 711

    The Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula begins.

  • 732

    Battle of Tours – Charles Martel halts the northward advance of Islamic forces.

  • 800

    Coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor by Pope Leo III, uniting much of Western Europe.