Intellectual Timeline of Europe, 529-1517 C.E.

The Order of Benedictines

529

The Order of Benedictines is an order of Catholic religious communities that observe the rule of St. Benedict. Founded by Benedict of Nursia, the Order was also called the Black Monks in reference to their robes. The order gathered and studied ancient manuscripts from Greece and Rome and diligently hand-copied these texts along with the Bible and records of the lives of saints.

Arab Scholars Translate Classics, Invent Arabic Number System

700

The Arabs translate and study classic philosophers including Aristotle, propelling the Islamic world to the height of intellect in the Middle Ages. They are attributed to preserving Greek philosophy for its re-introduction in the West. They also established the effective number system we still use today.

The Crusades

1095

Crusaders attack Jerusalem and other Middle Eastern cities. They were ultimately defeated, but discovered the ancient texts that had been preserved by the Arabs. This brought Greek and Roman ideals and thinking back to Europe, eventually to spark the Renaissance.

Development of the Compass

1100

Although the Chinese invented the compass in the mid-12th century, Europeans found great use of it in the Age of Exploration. Famous navigators like Columbus used the compass to direct himself across the Atlantic and eventually discover the New World. Henry the Navigator taught the use of the compass in his schools of navigation, propelling the Age of Exploration forward.

Magna Carta

1215

This document was signed by all of the English lords as well as King John, limiting the king's power for the first time and ensuring the citizen's rights. The document is widely considered the foundation of of Democracy in Europe, where democracy had not been seen since the times of the Ancient Greek philosophers.

The Rise of Guilds in German Towns

1300

Guilds were associations of skilled artisans and craftsmen (goldsmiths, blacksmiths, painters…) with extensive experience required for membership. New emphasis was placed on the importance of skilled craftsmen.

Rise of the House of Medici

1420

The Medici were a family of elite bankers who are accredited with beginning the Renaissance by beautifying the city state of Florence. They developed a legacy of investing in the arts by commissioning Renaissance-style artists to bring their unique ideas to the city. The Renaissance wave spread outward from Medici Florence.

Invention of the Printing Press

1440

Gutenberg invents the printing press in Germany, revolutionizing communication and the sharing of world knowledge and religions. The invention allowed for the mass printing of texts in vernacular, a concept that was previously unattainable. The invention also led to increased literacy rates in Europe.

The Work of Leonardo Da Vinci

1452

Da Vinci made contributions to study and documentation of anatomy of the human body. He also completed some of the earliest work towards the possibility human flight and hypothesized that it would one day be achieved, as well as recognizing in a single scribbled note that he believed the earth rotated around the sun, contrary to the teachings of the Church.

95 Theses

1517

The 95 Thesis were posted on the door of a church in Germany by Martin Luther. These were a list of points of contention with the Roman Catholic Church. They focused on indulgences, which promised less time in Purgatory for those who purchased them. They also focused on higher up Catholic figures who committed un-Christian acts like having sex, fighting, and killing. This was one of the first successful acts of defiance against the Church, and resulting in the creation of Protestantism.