Anglo-Saxon Outline

Trivia from 449-1066

307-1 B.C. : Roman Government

• Well before the Anglo-Saxons, Rome already had a balanced government.

• A republic had been created as early as 509 B.C., with a senate of distinguished citizens and assemblies made up of citizen soldiers.

A.D. 1-399 : London

• London grew from 2 ancient cities: – the City of London and – the City of Westminster

• The Romans established the City of London as a trading center; a thousand years later, the City of Westminster (a few miles away) served as the residential area for London’s elite.

500-599 : Japanese Religion• Shinto, which involves worship of the

gods found in nature and ancestors, is the native religion of Japan; however, many who practice Shinto are open to other beliefs as well.

• In the 5th Century, the Japanese began importing Buddhism from China and Korea.

• Today, about 75% of the Japanese practice Buddhism, a religion that seeks the attainment of spiritual freedom and inner peace.

500-599 : Paper, Books, and Printing in China

• The Chinese had been writing books on bamboo by 1000 B.C.

• They had invented paper by A.D. 105.

• They were printing books by A.D. 591.

• By 1045, they had invented movable type

700-799 : The Moors

• The Moors were from northwestern Africa.

• After they converted to Islam, they conquered Spain with the Arabs in the 700s and ruled there during the Middle Ages.

800-899 : Alfred the Great

• In addition to being the only ruler able to successfully resist Danish invasions, he was a patron of learning who furthered the education of his people.

• He invited scholars to spent time at his court.

• He, himself, translated scholarly works.

900-1066 : Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

• The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a history book about England from the beginning of the Christian era until the middle of the 12th Century.

• It’s the first important prose (nonfiction) work written in English.