Europe 200 CE
The Roman empire has given much of Europe two centuries of peace and prosperity.
Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads
Civilizations
Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads
What is happening in Europe in 200CE
This map shows the history of Europe in 200 CE. The Roman empire has given 200 years of peace to a large part of Europe.
Pax Romana
The Roman empire has expanded considerably over the past couple of hundred years. As well as covering Italy, Spain and Portugal, and Gaul, it now takes in Britain, all the Balkans, all of North Africa, and even reaches far into central Europe.
These centuries have seen Roman civilization reach its peak. The Roman empire has brought long-lasting peace to this vast region and its fifty-million or so inhabitants. With the peace, commerce has expanded and cities have prospered. Romanization – the spread of Roman citizenship, culture and language, has continued apace, and the descendants of Spanish and Gallic chieftains have entered the highest ranks of Roman society.
Gathering clouds
Beyond the imperial frontiers, the German peoples have been experiencing a period of major upheaval, which affects the Romans through a much increased pressure on their frontiers. Roman emperors are having to spend more and more of their time on campaign. This trend will only continue, and shortly the empire – and with it the Graeco-Roman civilization it shelters – will enter its long period of decline.
New religions
New religious cults have been spreading throughout the Roman empire from the East, including Mithraism, Manichaeism, and above all Christianity. The latter’s expansion, beginning in the Jewish homeland of Judaea, has been helped by the presence of many Jewish communities in the cities of the empire, and indeed it started life as a sect within Judaism. By this date, however, it is clearly a religion in its own right, winning converts right around the empire from Jews and non-Jews alike.
Dig Deeper
Premium Unit
Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads
Civilizations related to Europe
1950BCE - 1400BCE Minoan civilization 1150BCE - 650BCE Phoenicians 800BCE - 50BCE Ancient Greek Civilization 800BCE - 50CE Celtic civilization 800BCE - 250BCE Etruscans 750BCE - 500CE Ancient Rome: civilization and society 500CE - 1450CE Byzantine Empire 500CE - 1450CE Medieval Europe 1350CE - 1900CE Ottoman Empire 1400CE - 1789CE Early Modern Europe 1500CE - 1960CE European World Empires 1789CE - 2000CE Modern Europe 1917CE - 2000CE The Soviet UnionSubscribe for more great content – and remove ads
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 200CE
One small part of the region, Judaea, has given birth to the new religion of Christianity, but has also seen the dispersal of the Jewish people from their homeland
Africa history 200CE
All of North Africa is now part of the Roman empire, while to the south the Bantu migration continues
India and South Asia history 200CE
The Kushana empire of ancient India is important to world history as a centre for the spread of Buddhism
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 200CE
The Han dynasty of China has dominated much of ancient East Asia for a long period of history - but not for much longer
South East Asia history 200CE
Indian-style kingdoms and principalities are appearing in South East Asia
Oceania history 200CE
Distinctive Polynesian societies are evolving on the various Pacific islands
South America history 200CE
The Moche have reached a high level of civilization
North America history 200CE
The Mayan civilization is now emerging
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Africa history 3500BCE
Most of Africa is home to bands of hunter-gatherers, but in the Nile valley, the civilization of Egypt is beginning to emerge
Iraq history 3500BCE
The first city-based civilization in history is appearing in Mesopotamia
Middle East history 3500BCE
The first civilizations in world history, those of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, are emerging
Egypt history 3500BCE
One of the great civilizations of world history, that of Ancient Egypt, is taking shape in the Nile Valley.
India and South Asia history 3500BCE
In India and South Asia, the foundations are being laid for one of the great civilizations of ancient history
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 3500BCE
By this stage in history, farming is well-established in the two great river valleys of ancient China, and is spreading to neighboring lands
South East Asia history 3500BCE
Stone Age farmers and hunter-gatherers inhabit South East Asia
Oceania history 3500BCE
All the Pacific islands are uninhabited, except for Australia, New Guinea and the Solomons
South America history 3500BCE
Permanent villages have grown up along coasts and rivers
North America history 3500BCE
Hunter-gatherer cultures cover most of North America
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Turkey history 2500BCE
Trade is drawing Asia Minor into the orbit of Mesopotamian civilization
Egypt history 2500BCE
By this date Ancient Egypt has developed one of the great civilizations of world history.
Africa history 2500BCE
Ancient Egypt, one of the great civilizations of world history, has now full emerged in the Nile valley
India and South Asia history 2500BCE
One of the earliest civilizations in world history has emerged in ancient India, the Indus Valley civilization
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 2500BCE
Agriculture is spreading out from its core areas in ancient China, and one of the greatest civilizations in world history is emerging
South East Asia history 2500BCE
Population movements At around this time, a series of major population movements begin to affect this region. Starting in southern China and Taiwan, farming and fishing communities begin to move south and west, into the coasts and islands of South East Asia. These are the ancestors of today’s Malays, Polynesians and other Austronesian peoples, and […]
Oceania history 2500BCE
A new phase in technology is beginning in Australia, and the migration of the ancestors of the Polynesians has begun from south China
South America history 2500BCE
Large villages are developing along the Pacific coast, with temple-mounds and irrigation systems being constructed
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 1500BCE
The powerful Bronze Age empires of Egypt, the Mitanni, the Hittites and Babylonia dominate the Middle East
Greece and the Balkans history 1500BCE
The first literate civilizations in European history flourish - the Minoan on Crete and the Mycenaean in Greece
Africa history 1500BCE
New heights are achieved by the ancient civilization of Egypt, while south of the Sahara farmers pioneer tropical agriculture.
India and South Asia history 1500BCE
The history of ancient India is experiencing a dark age after the fall of the great Indus Valley civilization
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1500BCE
The first urban civilization has appeared in the ancient history of East Asia, under the Shang dynasty in China
South East Asia history 1500BCE
Major population movements affect this region from both east and west.
Oceania history 1500BCE
The ancestors of the Polynesians are beginning to settle the islands of the Pacific
South America history 1500BCE
The peoples of the Pacific coast are making strides towards civilization
North America history 1500BCE
Farming is spreading to eastern USA
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 1500BCE
The powerful Bronze Age empires of Egypt, the Mitanni, the Hittites and Babylonia dominate the Middle East
Africa history 1500BCE
New heights are achieved by the ancient civilization of Egypt, while south of the Sahara farmers pioneer tropical agriculture.
India and South Asia history 1500BCE
The history of ancient India is experiencing a dark age after the fall of the great Indus Valley civilization
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1500BCE
The first urban civilization has appeared in the ancient history of East Asia, under the Shang dynasty in China
South East Asia history 1500BCE
Major population movements affect this region from both east and west.
Oceania history 1500BCE
The ancestors of the Polynesians are beginning to settle the islands of the Pacific
South America history 1500BCE
The peoples of the Pacific coast are making strides towards civilization
North America history 1500BCE
Farming is spreading to eastern USA
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 500BCE
A succession of great empires - the Assyrian, the Babylonian, and now the Persian - have dominated the Middle East for the past few centuries
Africa history 500BCE
Bantu farmers from West Africa are beginning to spread out across the continent
India and South Asia history 500BCE
The return of urban civilization to ancient India has been followed by a creative period in its history, with the great world religion of Buddhism being founded
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 500BCE
The philosopher Confucius, whose teachings will influence millions of people down to the present day, lives at this time
South East Asia history 500BCE
The Malays and Javanese now inhabit their modern homes, and the Iron Age has come to the region
Oceania history 500BCE
The ancestors of the Polynesians have reached as far east as Fiji
South America history 500BCE
In the Amazon basin, the Arawak diaspora is in full flood
North America history 500BCE
The influence of the Olmec civilization now covers much of Central America
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 200BCE
The conquests of Alexander the Great have reshaped the map of the Middle East, and Greek-speaking kingdoms, founded by Alexander's generals, now cover the region
Africa history 200BCE
Trade routes across the Sahara desert are being pioneered, while, to the south, Bantu farmers continue their swift expansion across the continent
India and South Asia history 200BCE
The history of ancient India has seen the great Mauryan empire cover much of the subcontinent
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 200BCE
China has experienced a turbulent period of its ancient history, but has now become united under the Han dynasty.
South East Asia history 200BCE
Indian traders are bringing Hinduism, Buddhism and other elements of Indian civilization to South East Asia
Oceania history 200BCE
A distinctive Polynesian culture is now evolving
South America history 200BCE
The spread of maize as a staple crop allows new areas to be settled by farmers
North America history 200BCE
Several post-Olmec civilizations are emerging in different parts of Central America
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
South America history 30BCE
The Moche and Nazca civilizations are now flourishing
North America history 30BCE
The Mayan civilization is emerging
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
South America history 500CE
Large chiefdoms have emerged in Amazonia
North America history 500CE
The Hopewell culture has vanished
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 750CE
The Middle East has been conquered by Arab armies under the banners of a new religion, Islam
India and South Asia history 750CE
At this stage in India's history, powerful regional kingdoms divide the subcontinent
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 750CE
China is now united and powerful under the great Tang dynasty, one of the most glorious in its history, and exerts a huge influence on Japan and Korea
Africa history 750CE
Wealthy kingdoms are emerging in West Africa
South East Asia history 750CE
Chinese influence By this period, Chinese influence is growing in South East Asia. Under the powerful Tang dynasty, China’s trade with the countries of the region is expanding strongly, and one consequence of this may well be the rise of the maritime power of Sri Vijaya, which seems to enjoy a specially-favored status as a […]
South America history 750CE
The Tiwanaku and Wari empires now dominate the highlands of Peru
North America history 750CE
The Pueblo culture is now developing
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 979CE
The Islamic Caliphate is beginning to fragment
India and South Asia history 979CE
This period of its history sees the south emerging as a major centre of Indian civilization
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 979CE
China's influence over Korea and Japan has diminished, but at home this phase of its history is a time of great advance
Africa history 979CE
West African kingdoms flourish
South East Asia history 979CE
Old kingdoms are disappearing and new ones emerging
Oceania history 979CE
Long-distance voyages remain a part of the Polynesian way of life
South America history 979CE
The Chimu empire has appeared on the Pacific coast
North America history 979CE
The Mayan civilization is now in decline, while the Mississippian culture is rising
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
India and South Asia history 1215CE
India has entered a new phase in its history as Muslim states establish themselves over much of the north.
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1215CE
In this period of East Asia's history great technological advances occur, both in China and Korea
Africa history 1215CE
The expansion of trade in West Africa is leading to the rise of new kingdoms
South America history 1215CE
The Chimu empire is now the leading state in the Pacific-Andean region
North America history 1215CE
The Toltec empire has vanished, and the Mexica people have appeared in history
South East Asia history 1215CE
The Khmer empire is at the height of its power, and the great temple of Angkor Wat has been built
Middle East history 1215CE
Islam has by now become the majority religion in the Middle East
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Africa history 1453CE
New kingdoms are emerging in different parts of Africa
Oceania history 1453CE
Easter Island statues getting larger!
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1453CE
The history of the region has been dominated by the rise and fall of the Mongol empire, but Ming dynasty China is now at the centre of a tributary system spanning East Asia
India and South Asia history 1453CE
The history of India has entered a new phase with the dominance of Muslim-ruled states throughout most of the subcontinent.
South America history 1453CE
The Inca empire has begun its expansion
South East Asia history 1453CE
Muslim merchants have established a network of small sultanates in the region
North America history 1453CE
The Aztecs are now building their empire in Central America
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 1648CE
The Ottoman empire now dominates most of the Middle east
India and South Asia history 1648CE
The Mughal empire now rules much of the sub-continent, marking a high point in the history of Indian civilization
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1648CE
In China, the Qing dynasty rules, and Japan and Korea have experienced one of the most destructive wars in East Asian history
South East Asia history 1648CE
Europeans are beginning to make their presence felt in this region
Oceania history 1648CE
The first European sailors have now appeared in Oceania
Africa history 1648CE
Large numbers of Africans are being taken to the Americas as slaves
North America history 1648CE
North America is now being colonized by Europeans
South America history 1648CE
The Spanish and Portuguese now control much of South America
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Africa history 1789CE
The Atlantic Slave Trade is at its height, and having a destructive impact on wide areas of the African interior
Oceania history 1789CE
The first permanent European settlement has been established in Oceania, in south-west Australia, which has been claimed for the British empire
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1789CE
This is the last glorious phase of East Asia's history before it feels the West's impact, and Qing dynasty China dominates the region with its tributary system
Middle East history 1789CE
The Middle East experiences political weakness in both the Ottoman empire and Iran
India and South Asia history 1789CE
India has entered a new chapter in its history with the expansion of the British empire in the subcontinent
South East Asia history 1789CE
Dutch commercial and political influence now spreads far and wide throughout the islands and coasts of South East Asia
North America history 1789CE
The USA is now an independent nation
South America history 1789CE
The Spanish and Portuguese empires rule most of South America between them
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Africa history 1837CE
The Zulu conquests are causing turmoil over a large part of south and central Africa
Oceania history 1837CE
European missionaries and traders are active throughout the Pacific
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1837CE
New intrusions into East Asian history, Western merchants and missionaries, are clamouring to be let into China and the other countries of East Asia
Middle East history 1837CE
Some Middle Eastern governments are taking steps to modernize their countries
India and South Asia history 1837CE
The British empire now dominates most of India, marking the most radical change in the long history of the subcontinent
South East Asia history 1837CE
The British are acquiring more territories in the region
North America history 1837CE
The USA has purchased a vast territory from the French
South America history 1837CE
The countries of South America have won their independence from Spain and Portugal
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Africa history 1871CE
European explorers have visited the interior of Africa
Oceania history 1871CE
The Pacific islands are falling under European control
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1871CE
East Asian history has taken a radically new direction as Western powers force open the doors of China and Jappan to trade and missionary activity
Middle East history 1871CE
The Ottoman empire has tightened its grip on much of the Middle East
India and South Asia history 1871CE
The history of British India almost ended in a great rebellion, but the British were able to regain control
South East Asia history 1871CE
European power is growing in South East Asia
North America history 1871CE
The USA almost tore itself apart in civil war
South America history 1871CE
Foreign investment is pouring into some South American countries
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 1914CE
The British and French are increasingly active in the Middle East
India and South Asia history 1914CE
The history of the British empire in India reaches its height - but it will shortly come to an end
South East Asia history 1914CE
The European powers have shared out most of South East Asia amongst themselves
South America history 1914CE
Brazil, Argentina and Chile are growing wealthy
North America history 1914CE
Canada and the USA have experienced huge industrial expansion
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1914CE
Japan has successfully modernized, and has gained international status at the expense of China and Korea
Oceania history 1914CE
All the Pacific islands have fallen under foreign control
Africa history 1914CE
The European powers have divided almost the whole of Africa up between them
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 1960CE
The Cold War has had a major impact on the Middle East
India and South Asia history 1960CE
The long history of India and South Asia has entered a new chapter with the replacement of the British empire by independent republics
South East Asia history 1960CE
The countries of South East Asia have become independent from their Western masters
South America history 1960CE
Eva Peron wins the hearts of Argentinians
North America history 1960CE
The USA and Canada have fought in the two world wars together
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1960CE
China, Japan and Korea have all experienced some of the most turbulent times in their entire history, as great wars have swept through East Asia
Oceania history 1960CE
Many Pacific islands were caught up in the fierce fighting of World War 2
Africa history 1960CE
The European nations are starting to withdraw from the empires in Africa
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 2005CE
Arab-Israeli hostility has dominated Middle Eastern politics
India and South Asia history 2005CE
The history of India and Pakistan has been characterised by mutual hostility
South East Asia history 2005CE
South East Asia has experienced dramatic economic growth
South America history 2005CE
Many countries of South America have swung, first to dictatorship, and then to democracy
North America history 2005CE
The NAFTA trade agreement is benefitting the economies of all North American countries
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 2005CE
The recent histories of all the nations of East Asia, China, Japan and Korea, have seen them become major economic powerhouses in the world
Oceania history 2005CE
Many new independent nations now dot the Pacific Ocean
Africa history 2005CE
All European powers have withdrawn from their empires in Africa
Lost your way? See a list of all maps
Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads
