590- 604 CE - Gregory the Great became pope and gained control of Rome around the seventh century CE. Gregory organized Rome and its surrounding territories into a system of government known as the Papal States. Gregory probably established control in Rome to prevent further damage from the Lombards who had …

482- 511 CE - Clovis was the leader of a Frankish tribe who eventually unified and ruled all Franks. Clovis converted from paganism to become a Catholic Christian around 500 CE.

This conversion helped him gain papal support, as well as leading to the eventual conversion of most of the Frankish …

390- 461 CE - Saint Patrick was a Christian missionary who went to Ireland in the fifth century CE. Patrick was kidnaped as a child and taken to Ireland where he was compelled to work as a slave, however, he later managed to escape. After Patrick's escape he became a monk …

339- 397 CE - Ambrose of Milan created an image of an ideal Christian bishop. He advocated for a church which was independent of state function and control. He punished Emperor Theodosius I for ordering the slaughter of citizens in Thessalonika who refused to obey him. The punishment was that Theodosius …

?433- 453 CE - Atilla was ruler of the Huns in the fifth century. Atilla is known to have been a formidable opponent in battle, and the Huns in general were said to be savage combatants. This greatly influenced the Hun dynasty and Atilla expanded his empire to become one of …

306- 337 CE - Constantine was the first Roman Emperor to adopt Christianity and to tolerate it. His famous Edict of Milan officially recognized the religion. Constantine believed that the power of the cross had brought him victory in battle against the Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge. Constantine paved the way …