Dark Ages: Timeline

476: Rome falls to Odavacer

483-511: Clovis unites Franks

493: Odavacer overthrown by Ostrogoths

527-65: Reign of Justinian I

  -529-34: Justinian compiles Corpus Juris Civilis

535-54: Gothic War

541-42: Plague of Justinian

547: St. Benedict dies

568: Lombards invade Italy

590-604: Gregory the Great is Pope

610: Muhammad's vision

  -610-32: Muhammad spreads Islam

  -622: Flight from Mecca

  -630: The Return

610: Heraclitus I assumes power

627: Battle of Ninevah breaks Sassanid power

632-732: Muslim Conquest

  -717: Assault on Constantinople

  -732: Battle of Tours

730-87: Iconoclast Controversy

782: Verdict of Verdun

793: Viking raid on Lindesfarne

800: Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor

814: Charlemagne dies

867-1056: Macedonian Renaissance

919: Gunpowder used at The Battle of Long-Shan Jiang

1000: Vikings discover North America

History Shorts: Justinian's Plague (541-542)

Justinian reconquered the Western Roman Empire and Europe seemed assured of escaping the Dark Ages. In 541, a pandemic struck the globe unraveling Justinian’s conquests. The plague seems to have originated in China and moved westward killing 25 million. Constantinople was especially hard hit. The disease wiped out 40% of the populace. Research indicates the plague was not the same disease that ravaged Europe in the 14^th century. The plague might have been brought forth by cold, damp weather following a massive volcanic eruption. In the end, the disease decimated the Byzantine Empire and its ability to hold onto Western Europe. As a result, Europe entered the Dark Ages.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzb5K5M8cgY

History shorts: The Nika Riots (532 A.D.)

Constantinople tired of Emperor Justinian’s tax policies. At the chariot races, fans of various teams grew unruly and rioted. Some politicians decided to use the mob rioting as a pretext to overthrow the emperor. Justinian freaked and fled to the docks. As he prepared to go into exile, his wife Theodora convinced him to face the mob. Justinian grew a backbone and viciously put down the revolt. 30,000 died in the rioting and Justinian’s vengeance. Afterward, Justinian rebuilt the city and constructed the Hagia Sophia. He also created the Justinian Code and reunited the Eastern and Western Roman Empires for a time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ONRc_wuvl0