The Eleventh Century: Century of the Sword

Survey the world in AD 1000 and see that China was the most vibrant, open and technologically advanced civilization. Islam, less than 400 years old, had become the most far reaching civilization in trade and travel. Cordoba, in Southern Spain, was one of the most important cities in the world. India, rich in natural resources, was the only other civilization that the Chinese respected. Enriched by contact with China, Japan looked promising but turned increasingly in on itself. We are able to examine life in the imperial palace through an intimate diary left by Sei Shonagon, who was a lady in waiting to the Heian royalty. Christianity was divided into two rival camps. The Western Catholic Church looked to Rome, the Eastern Orthodox Church looked to Constantinople. In 1054, the political wrangling reached a climax when the Pope excommunicated the Eastern Church.