Medieval History

The Early Church

100

This monastic tradition highly values personal isolation above all else.

Eastern Monasticism

200

This belief, held by early Christian churches, states that a church should be able to trace their lineage back to the Apostles.

Apostolic Succession

300

A set of rules written by this Christian Saint, outlined how monastic communities should live.

St. Benedict

400

This Pope wrote a strongly worded letter to Emperor Athanasius I arguing for the spiritual power over the temporal power,

Pope Gelasius

500

This decree by a well known Roman Emperor was reported to have given the Western Roman Empire to the Pope, though it was later discovered to be a fake.

Donation of Constantine

Byzantine Empire

100

Among the theological issues that led to this split in the Christian Church, which persists to this day, included the issue of leavened vs unleavened bread.

The Great Schism of 1054

200

This Byzantine Emperor feverishly pursued iconoclastic policies, even going as far as to attack and kill those who held different views

Constantine V

300

This Byzantine Emperor was responsible for reconquering much of the Roman Empire, rewriting Roman law and outlawing paganism in the Byzantine Empire.

Justinian I

400

This Roman Emperor split the empire between his two sons, causing the creation of the Eastern and Western Roman Empire.

Emperor Theodosius I

500

During the Nika Riots, Justinian I was convinced to remain in Constantinople thanks to a speech by this individual.

Theodora

Islam

100

This founder of Islam is believed to be the Prophet of Allah, by the followers of that faith.

Muhammad

200

These Five Pillars, make up the core beliefs of Islam.

Faith, Charity, Fasting, Pilgrimage and Prayer

300

Muhammad began preaching in this Arabian city.

Mecca

400

He was the first Islamic Caliph after Muhammad's death, who's installment in the position eventually led to the Sunni-Shiite split.

Abu Bakr

500

This battle between early Muslim forces and the city of Mecca, was a hard loss for the Muslims, after their archers gave up a key strategic hill top.

Battle of Uhud

Carolingians

100

This Frankish King, was later crowned the first Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III.

Charlemagne

200

This set of decrees made by Charlemagne included both his official laws, as well as the official position of the Holy Roman Empire on religious matters.

Capitularies

300

This people group was in constant conflict with the Pope in Italy, until they were conquered by Charlemagne.

The Lombards

400

This supposedly folicly challenged son of Louis the Pious seemed to be his favorite child, and the cause of many of the civil wars between Louis and his other sons.  

Charles the Bald

500

This early form of musical notation was ordered to be created by Charlemagne in an effort to unify the music being played in churches.

Neume

Late Roman Empire

100

This Roman Emperor made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Emperor Constantine

200

This Frankish King was the founder of the Merovingian Dynasty.

Clovis I

300

This gathering of early Christian leaders, set up by Emperor Constantine, was designed to create a unified Christian theology.

Council of Nicaea

400

This division of the Roman Empire set up four emperors, ruing the Empire together.

Tetrarchy

500

This people group was given land in exchange for fighting in the Roman military, which ultimately aided in the downfall of the Roman Empire.

Germanic Barbarians