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: Islam takes Jerusalem (638 A.D.)

Muhammad died in 632. He created Islam, expanded the religion, and left its future to his followers. Muslims continued to spread their doctrine by the sword. In 636, Umar the Great laid siege to Jerusalem after defeating the Byzantine Empire at the Battle of Yarmouk. The city fell and became part of the Caliphate in 638. Four centuries later, European Christians marched to the Holy Land to reclaim the city. In the meantime, Islam continued its violent expansion into Africa and Europe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFt5feDQo-s

History Shorts: Muhammad flees Mecca (619 A.D.)

Muhammad’s wife and uncle died suddenly. Their clan refused to extend protection to the prophet and he was forced to flee Mecca for Medina. Several converts followed him to Medina, where he portrayed himself as a Hebrew prophet. Eventually, he returned to Mecca in force to exact revenge and convert the polytheistic clans. It was the first Jihad and a key to understanding Jihadists today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJy7xlS-dJw

History Shorts: Muhammad's revelations (610 A.D.)

Muhammad was born around 570 and developed a reputation for honesty as a trader. Sometime around 610, he reported his first revelation from God.  Muhammad began preaching the word three years later. He asked people to submit to God and acknowledge the one God. His efforts gained few followers at first, but his message eventually led to one of the world’s major religions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmwSiW7JgFA