Timeline / 400 to 1300 / ITALY
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Timeline / 400 to 1300 / ITALY Date Country | Description 527 A.D. 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 Date Country | Description 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 Date Country | Description 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..