Year 862

Events this year

c. 862★★★★★

According to the Primary Chronicle, the Varangian chieftain Rurik was invited to rule Novgorod in 862, traditionally the start of the Rurik dynasty.

DynastyPolitics· Russia

c. 3rd century – c. 9th century★★★★★

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 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

c. 8th century – c. 10th century★★★★★

Many Maya cities of the southern lowlands are gradually abandoned, possibly due to drought, warfare and political crisis.

Politics· Guatemala, Mexico

c. 819 – 999★★★★★

The Persian Samanid dynasty rules Central Asia and Khorasan, making Bukhara and Samarkand cultural and trade centres on the Silk Road.

DynastyCultureEconomy· Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan