Medieval

The Middle Ages

Hint: Period from about 450 to 1500 between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance.

Byzantine Emperor Justinian

Hint: Codifies Roman law and builds Hagia Sophia.

Benedict and Monasticism

Hint: St. Benedict founds Monte Cassino; his Rule shapes Western monasticism.

Muhammad Founds Islam

Hint: Muhammad receives revelations; Islam spreads rapidly across Arabia.

Zanj and Early Ghana in Africa

Hint: Powerful African kingdoms and trading civilizations emerge.

Franks Defeat Muslims at the Battle of Tours

Hint: Charles Martel halts the Muslim advance into Western Europe.

Golden Age of Islam

Hint: Flourishing of science, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy in the Islamic world.

Vikings Raid and Trade

Hint: Norse warriors raid, trade, and settle across Europe.

Japan's Heian Period

Hint: Golden age of Japanese art, poetry, and court culture.

Charlemagne Crowned Emperor of Europe

Hint: Charlemagne unites much of Western Europe and promotes learning.

Alfred the Great of England

Hint: Anglo-Saxon king defends England from Vikings and promotes literacy.

Erik the Red and Leif Erikson, Norse Explorers

Hint: Norse explorers reach Greenland and North America.

Vladimir I of Kiev

Hint: Converts to Christianity and Christianizes Kievan Rus.

Byzantine Emperor Basil II

Hint: Powerful Byzantine emperor who expands the empire's territory.

East-West Schism of the Church

Hint: Timeline anchor for the split between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity; the formal schism is traditionally dated to 1054.

Norman Conquest and Feudalism in Europe

Hint: William the Conqueror defeats Harold; feudal system shapes Europe.

The Crusades

Hint: European Christians launch military campaigns to reclaim the Holy Land.

Zimbabwe and Early Mali in Africa

Hint: Great Zimbabwe and the Mali Empire flourish in Africa.

Aztecs of Mesoamerica

Hint: Powerful empire in central Mexico with capital at Tenochtitlan.

Francis of Assisi and Thomas Aquinas

Hint: Francis founds the Franciscan Order; Aquinas writes Summa Theologica.

Japan's Shoguns

Hint: Military dictators rule Japan for nearly seven centuries.

Incas of South America

Hint: Vast empire along the Andes Mountains in South America.

Genghis Khan Rules the Mongols

Hint: Creates the largest contiguous land empire in history.

England's Magna Carta

Hint: English barons force King John to sign; foundation of constitutional law.

Ottoman Empire

Hint: Powerful Islamic empire spanning three continents for over 600 years.

Marco Polo's Journey to China

Hint: Venetian merchant's travels to China inspire European exploration.

The Hundred Years' War and Black Death

Hint: England vs. France and the devastating plague that kills millions.