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TIMELINE | Before 1300 to 1550 | ITALY
Date
527 A.D.
Country | Description
Italy
Justinian (527–65) becomes the Emperor of Byzantium and sets about
reconquering the West, succeeding in destroying the Gothic Kingdom in
Italy.
529 A.D.
Italy
The Corpus Iuris Civilis is compiled under Justinian, collecting and
organising Roman law. The work remains influential for centuries,
becoming the cornerstone of legal studies.
568 A.D.
Italy
The Lombards enter Italy. The lands occupied in the Centre and the
South become the Duchies of Spoleto and Benevento respectively.
590 A.D.
Italy
Gregory the Great (590–604) becomes pope. During his pontificate, the
Church becomes more independent from the Byzantine Empire and
great efforts are made to evangelise the Anglo-Saxons and Lombards.
653 A.D.
Italy
The Lombards officially convert to Catholicism, a process that began
with the work of Gregory the Great.
774 A.D.
Italy
The reign of the Lombards comes to an end. Charles King of the Franks
takes Pavia and establishes Frankish rule in Northern Italy. The Duchy of
Benevento and Venice remain independent.
800 A.D.
Italy
Charlemagne (800–14) becomes the Emperor of Rome and the Holy
Roman Empire is born.
827 A.D.
Italy
The arrival of the Aghlabids triggers the Arab conquest of Sicily.
965 A.D.
Italy
The Arab conquest of Sicily is complete with the fall of Rometta, the last
Byzantine stronghold.
1002 A.D.
Italy
The reign of Henry II (1002–24) sees the establishment of a feudal
system, particularly in Northern Italy, which will leave a lasting mark on
Italy’s social and economic make-up.
1009 A.D.
Italy
The first Normans arrive in Southern Italy.
1059 A.D.
Italy
The Council of the Lateran reorganises the Church. The Pope makes
Robert Guiscard (1059–85) Duke of Puglia and Calabria. It is the first
acknowledgement of Norman domination of Southern Italy.
1061 A.D.
Italy
Roger I of Hautville (1072–1101) begins the conquest of Sicily against
the Arabs, which is completed in 1091.
1062 A.D.
Italy
The Muslim fleet is defeated by the Pisans at Palermo.
1130 A.D.
Italy
Roger II, governor of Sicily since 1112, is crowned King of Sicily and
reigns until 1154.
1143 A.D.
Italy
The Commune of Rome is born, an expression of the nascent communal
civility that will have a profound effect on Italian cultural identity.
1154 A.D.
Italy
Frederick Barbarossa (1123–90) arrives in Italy to side with the Pope
against the Commune of Rome and the Normans. In the same year,
Barbarossa is crowned King of Italy in Pavia.
1202 A.D.
Italy
The Fourth Crusade, which will last until 1204, leaves from Venice.
1210 A.D.
Italy
Saint Francis of Assisi writes his Rule, inspired by the principles of
poverty, errant preaching and Christian charity. Frederick II (1211–50),
already King of Sicily, is crowned emperor.
1236 A.D.
Italy
The first seigniories are formed, in Milan under Filippo della Torre, in
Ferrara with Obizzo d’Este and in Mantova with the Gonzaga family.
1250 A.D.
Italy
Death of Frederick II.
1258 A.D.
Italy
Manfred, son of Frederick II, becomes King of Sicily (1258–66).
1271 A.D.
Italy
Marco Polo, son of a Venetian merchant, departs for China with his
father Nicolò and uncle Matteo. He is one of the first Westerners to
reach China.
1280 A.D.
Italy
The Guelphs and Ghibellines, supporters of the Papacy and the Emperor
respectively, clash in Florence.
1282 A.D.
Italy
Revolt of the Sicilian Vespers against Sicily’s French Angevin rulers.
Aragon emerges victorious in Sicily, which is separated politically from
Southern Italy.
1302 A.D.
Italy
Frederick of Aragon (1302–37) is proclaimed King of Sicily.
1303 A.D.
Italy
Pope Boniface VIII (1295–1303), in conflict with the French for political
reasons, is arrested by the French, but immediately released following a
popular uprising.
1307 A.D.
Italy
Dante Alighieri begins his masterpiece of universal literature, the Divine
Comedy, completed in 1313.
1309 A.D.
Italy
Start of the Avignon Papacy: under the direct influence of the King of
France, the popes set up the papal residence in Avignon.
1377 A.D.
Italy
The papal residence moved back to Rome from Avignon during the
pontificate of Gregory XI (1370–8).
1378 A.D.
Italy
Beginning of the Western Schism, which will divide the Christian Church
and see two different popes on the papal seat.
1452 A.D.
Italy
Birth of Leonardo da Vinci, artist, scientist and inventor who will enrich
Italian culture with works of great renown, such as the Mona Lisa and
Lady with an Ermine.
1469 A.D.
Italy
Lorenzo de’Medici the Magnificent (1469–92) rules Florence. Under his
control, Florence becomes the driving force behind Italian art.
1485 A.D.
Italy
Pico della Mirandola (1463–94) writes Oration on the Dignity of Man, an
expression of the new Renaissance humanist culture that exalted man’s
dignity and right to self-determination.
1492 A.D.
Italy
Christopher Columbus discovers America. Lorenzo de’Medici dies.
1501 A.D.
Italy
Michelangelo Buonarroti starts work on David, a masterpiece of the
Renaissance. The work, conceived as a symbol of the Florentine
Republic, is completed in 1504.
1506 A.D.
Italy
Bramante begins construction of the new Basilica of Saint Peter.
1527 A.D.
Italy
Sack of Rome: the imperial forces of Charles V (1520–56) made up of
mercenaries (lanzichenecchi) sack Rome. This event is considered to
mark the end of the Renaissance.
1541 A.D.
Italy
Michelangelo finishes the fresco Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel.
1545 A.D.
Italy
The Council of Trent begins, to end in 1563. The Council marks the
beginning of the Counter-Reformation.