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512 CE

This year falls in the Early Middle Ages (c. 500–1000 CE). In western Europe new kingdoms replace the western Roman Empire, while the Byzantine Empire continues in the east. Islam begins in Arabia in the seventh century and its caliphates soon reach from Spain to Central Asia, and China is reunited under the Sui and Tang dynasties.

Within fifteen years

Ruler · Early Middle Ages · TurkeyJustinian Ir. 527–565Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire from 527 to 565, born about 482. His generals retook North Africa and Italy from the Germanic kingdoms, briefly restoring Roman rule around the western Mediterranean. His law code, the Corpus Juris Civilis, became the foundation of legal systems across Europe.