1?999 (A.D.) World History

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff

Roman Aqueduct
Roman AqueductMontpellier, France
Tina Diodati
Celtic Cross
Celtic Cross
Rene Scott
Mayan Pyramid at
Chichn Itz
Rene Scott
Japanese Pagoda
Erik Hjortshoj
Viking Ship (c. 900)

Claudius poisoned (A.D. 54), succeeded by Nero (commits suicide, A.D. 68). Missionary journeys of Paul the Apostle (A.D. 34?60). Jews revolt against Rome; Jerusalem destroyed (A.D. 70). Roman persecutions of Christians begin (A.D. 64). Colosseum built in Rome (A.D. 71?80). Trajan (rules A.D. 98?116); Roman empire extends to Mesopotamia, Arabia, Balkans. First Gospels of St. Mark, St. John, St. Matthew.
Hadrian rules Rome (A.D. 117?138); codifies Roman law, rebuilds Pantheon, establishes postal system, builds wall between England and Scotland. Jews revolt under Bar Kokhba (A.D. 122?135); final Diaspora (dispersion) of Jews begins.
Marcus Aurelius rules Rome (A.D. 161?180). Oldest Mayan temples in Central America (c. A.D. 200).
Increasing invasions of the Roman empire by Franks and Goths. Buddhism spreads in China. Classic period of Mayan civilization (A.D. 250?900); develop hieroglyphic writing, advances in art, architecture, science.
Huns (Mongols) invade Europe (c. A.D. 360). Theodosius the Great (rules A.D. 392?395)?last emperor of a united Roman empire. Roman empire permanently divided in A.D. 395: western empire ruled from Rome; eastern empire ruled from Constantinople.
Eastern and western churches reconciled (519). Justinian I, the Great (483?565), becomes Byzantine emperor (527), issues his first code of civil laws (529), conquers North Africa, Italy, and part of Spain. Plague spreads through Europe (542 et seq.). Arthur, semi-legendary king of the Britons (killed, c. 537). Bothius, Roman scholar (executed, 524).
Beginnings of European silk industry after Justinian's missionaries smuggle silkworms out of China (553). Mohammed, founder of Islam (570?632). Buddhism in Japan (c. 560). St. Augustine of Canterbury brings Christianity to Britain (597). After killing about half the population, plague in Europe subsides (594).
Arabs attack North Africa (670), destroy Carthage (697). Venerable Bede, English monk (672?735).
Arab empire extends from Lisbon to China (by 716). Charles Martel, Frankish leader, defeats Arabs at Tours/Poitiers, halting Arab advance in Europe (732). Charlemagne (742?814). Introduction of pagodas in Japan from China.
Charlemagne becomes king of the Franks (771). Caliph Harun al-Rashid rules Arab empire (786?809): the ?golden age? of Arab culture. Vikings begin attacks on Britain (790), land in Ireland (795). City of Machu Picchu flourishes in Peru.
Beginning of Mayan Post-Classical period (900?1519). Vikings discover Greenland (c. 900). Arab Spain under Abd ar-Rahman III becomes center of learning (912?961). Otto I becomes King of Germany (936).
Mieczyslaw I becomes first ruler of Poland (960). Eric the Red establishes first Viking colony in Greenland (982). Hugh Capet elected King of France in 987; Capetian dynasty to rule until 1328. Musical notation systematized (c. 990). Vikings and Danes attack Britain (988?999). Otto I crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope John XII (962).
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