Were the Varangian Guards Christian?

The 3rd Century Crisis was a time in which the Roman Empire came very close to collapsing due to civil war, foreign invasion, economic depression, and a plague. Learn about those who tried to rescue Rome - including Claudius II, Aurelian, and Diocletian - from 'The Five Fs': feuding, factions, funding, foreign invasion, and freaky disease.

Justinian's Code of Law formed the basis of the judicial systems of the Western World. This lesson explores the Roman Emperors after Constantine: Julian and the Apostate, Valens and Adrianople, Theodosius, and Justinian.

The Justinian Code was created by the emperor Justinian in the late days of the Roman (or Byzantine) Empire. This lesson will look into why the code was so important and what types of protection it gave to the citizens.

After several hundred years of strife and chaos, one man from the Qin state was able to unify China. This lesson details the life of Shi Huang Di, as well as the downfall of his Qin dynasty.

The Reformation brought the Protestant faith, violence, and bloodshed to the French Wars of Religion, which included the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Discuss the contributions of reformers and leaders such as John Calvin, who popularized the idea that God, not the Pope, is the end all authority, and Henry of the House of Bourbon, who survived the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre to lead the Protestants against their Catholic enemies, and ironically inherited the Catholic throne in 1594.

The Mongol Empire was the second-largest empire in history, and the largest ever seen up until its time. This lesson explains how the Mongols were able to conquer China, as well as innovations that allowed them to conquer other regions, before concluding with a discussion on the Yuan Dynasty.

This lesson will trace the emergence of the Arab-Islamic Empire. It will focus on the Islamic faith, the rule of Abu Bakr, and the Golden Age of Islam under the Abbasid Dynasty.

The royals in England and France faced many struggles during the Middle Ages. Learn about the Middle Ages and explore events and politics in England and France during this time. Review the Magna Carta and understand how royals in England and France regained control of their lands.

The Mediterranean region was home to several of the most powerful empires in history. In this lesson, we'll look at three of them and see where they came from - and why they fell.

We think of Vikings as the angry warriors of legend. Famed for burning villages and killing the residents, these people have a reputation for violence. But while the Vikings did invade and conquer, there are probably a lot of things about the Vikings you don't know.

Though a defining moment in Jewish history, the Diaspora in the Ancient World was something that Judaism had spent hundreds of years preparing for in order to ensure its survival.

In this lesson, we'll explore the life and times of one of history's great leaders, Napoleon Bonaparte. We'll learn about his role in the French Revolution, his ability as a military leader, and his eventual downfall and exile.

Alexander the Great was able to conquer his neighbors with his strong familial foundation and his political and warfare prowess. He is credited with the birth of Hellenism for the way he was able to spread Greek culture around the world. This lesson reviews Alexander the Great's conquests, his father's accomplishments, and the dawning of the Hellenistic period of history.

Before the year 600, the Middle East was a no man's land between Persia and Byzantium. Then, 100 years later, it was the heartland of an empire that would grow larger than its predecessors put together. This lesson details the changes to society during that time.

What was the Great Schism of 1054? Learn about the Catholic Church schism of the 11th century, when it occurred, and why the Great Schism happened.

The Roman Empire collapsed in 476 C.E. after over one thousand years of rule and expansion. Learn about how this great civilization came to its end, and the clues it has left us about its rule.