Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lombards invade and occupy northern Italy, leaving just Ravenna, Rome and southern
Italy in the Empire's hands. Other tribes invade Balkan territories and cut the eastern Em-
pire off from Italy.
754-56
Frankish king Pepin the Short enters Italy at the request of Pope Stephen II, defeats the
Lombards and declares the creation of the Papal States.
902
Muslims from North Africa complete the occupation of Sicily, encouraging learning of the
Greek classics, maths and other sciences. Agriculture flourishes and Sicily is relatively
peaceful for two centuries.
962
Otto I is crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Rome, the first in a long line of Germanic rulers.
His meddling in Italian affairs leads to clashes between papacy and empire.
1130
Norman invader Roger II is crowned king of Sicily, a century after the Normans landed in
southern Italy and so creating a united southern Italian kingdom.
1202-03
Venice leads the Fourth Crusade to the Holy Land on a detour to Constantinople in re-
venge for attacks on Venetian interests there. The Crusaders topple the Byzantine emperor,
installing a puppet ruler.
1271
Venetian merchant Marco Polo embarks on a 24-year journey to Central Asia and China
with his father and uncle. His written travel accounts help enlighten Europeans about
Asia.
1282
Charles of Anjou creates enemies in Sicily with heavy taxes on landowners, who rise in the
Sicilian Vespers revolt. They hand control of Sicily to Peter III, King of Aragón.
1309
Pope Clement V shifts the papacy to Avignon, France, for almost 70 years. Clement had
been elected pope four years earlier but refused to rule in a hostile Rome.
