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.