13th century

(12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries)

• Fourth through eighth crusades of western European kingdoms against Islam
• Fall of the Hohenstaufen dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors
• Mongols under Genghis Khan conquer and rule over most of Asia and Eastern Europe, establish Mongolian dynasty in China. Some Mongol leaders convert from Tantric Buddhism to Islam.
• Marco Polo and his family reach China
• James I of Aragon takes control of Balearic Islands and Valencia.
• Theravada overtakes Mahayana as the dominant form of Buddhism in Cambodia.
• Persian historian Rashid al-Din[?] records eleven Buddhist texts circulating in Arabic translation.
• The Thai Kingdom of Sukothai is established, with Theravada Buddhism as the state religion. Later in the century it vassalises significant parts of modern Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Malaysia.

Significant people

• Alexander of Hales, philosopher and theologian
• Albertus Magnus, German philosopher and theologian
• Thomas Aquinas, theologian
• Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order
• Roger Bacon, Franciscan, philosopher, and scientist
• Bonaventure, Franciscan theologian
• Petrus Peregrinus, scientist
• Robert Grosseteste, English statesman and theologian
• Louis IX of France, St. Louis, French king and crusader
• Frederick II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
• Dante, Italian writer
• Ramon Llull, Majorcan philosopher

Inventions, Discoveries, Introductions

Decades and Years