c. 1st century BCE – c. 6th century★★★★★
Teotihuacan flourishes
Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico grows into one of the largest cities in the world of its time, with the Pyramid of the Sun and the Avenue of the Dead.
Culture· Mexico
Timeline
9 events1st century BCE
3rd century
- c. 3rd century – c. 9th century★★★★★
Classic period of Maya civilization
Maya city-states such as Tikal, Palenque and Calakmul reach their height in architecture, writing, astronomy and calendrics.
CultureScience· Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras - c. 3rd century – c. 11th century★★★★★
The Ghana Empire in West Africa
The Soninke Ghana Empire (Wagadu) flourished in what is now Mauritania and Mali, growing rich from control of the trans-Saharan gold and salt trade.
DynastyEconomy· Mauritania, Mali
6th century
- 529 – 534★★★★★
Justinian's Code (Corpus Juris Civilis)
Emperor Justinian I has Roman law codified as the Corpus Juris Civilis, the foundation of many modern civil-law systems.
Politics· Turkey - December 27, 537★★★★★
Hagia Sophia consecrated
The Hagia Sophia, rebuilt by Justinian I in Constantinople, is consecrated, crowned by a dome unprecedented in its time.
ReligionArt· Turkey - c. 538★★★★★
Buddhism introduced to Japan
By tradition, a king of Baekje sends Buddhist images and scriptures to the Yamato court, beginning Buddhism's spread in Japan.
Religion· Japan, South Korea - 541★★★★★
Plague of Justinian
The first recorded pandemic of bubonic plague sweeps the Mediterranean, devastating the Byzantine Empire and killing vast numbers.
Disease· Turkey, Egypt - 544★★★★★
Lý Bí founds Vạn Xuân
After expelling the Liang, Lý Bí proclaims himself Emperor Lý Nam Đế of the state of Vạn Xuân.
DynastyPolitics· Vietnam - 589★★★★★
Sui dynasty reunifies China
Emperor Wen of Sui conquers the southern Chen dynasty, ending nearly three centuries of division.
WarDynasty· China