Very major changes took place in this century, beginning with the turn of the millennium. It also marked the transition from what is called the Early Middle Ages to the Late Middle Ages.

At the turn of the year 1000, there was a major change in people’s behavior. As the year 1000 approached, many feared that the end of the world was near. A wave of panic and collective hysteria was recorded in history during this brief period. Many people went into the streets shouting that the world would end, that the Apocalypse was coming, that Jesus was returning, and others followed the same behavior. It was total frenzy.

As the years passed, this hysteria gradually disappeared. In the year 1033, when the age corresponding to Jesus’ lifetime was completed, many felt secure that He would not return. Many historians believe this collective hysteria was connected to fear surrounding the millennium.

Another important change was the appearance of boroughs, or early towns. Before this time, life was primarily agricultural. People lived in rural areas and depended on their own production. Proper cities did not yet exist. The first early forms of modern society began to emerge. Specializations developed, such as artisans. Trade became more prominent, currency gained importance, and although the economy remained feudal, business activity strengthened.

There were also philosophical changes, with a revival of Aristotelian and Platonic thought. During this century, the House of Wisdom reached its peak. Many scholars passed through it and became famous, such as Avicenna, mentioned previously. He was considered one of the greatest thinkers, a polymath who mastered many sciences and possessed vast knowledge.

After his death in the middle of the century, Al Biruni, another great polymath, took his place at the House of Wisdom. He also mastered many sciences and traveled widely to expand his knowledge. Both were major intellectual figures in the Islamic world.

In 1054, the Great Schism of the East occurred, dividing the Church. The Pope wanted authority over both the Eastern and Western parts of the empire. The Eastern Church wanted leadership shared among five patriarchs in Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. Political factors were central to this disagreement.

The Western Empire no longer had an emperor to support the Pope, while the Eastern Empire still had imperial authority. Rome did not yield, and divisions deepened.

In 1054, Pope Leo IX sent representatives to Constantinople. The dispute centered around the filioque clause concerning the Holy Spirit and the doctrine of the Trinity.

The Western Church believed the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father and the Son. The Eastern Church rejected this addition and held that the Spirit proceeded from the Father alone.

Other differences included the use of unleavened bread in the West and leavened bread in the East, differences in clerical appearance such as beards, and language differences, Latin in the West and Greek in the East.

Simony, the selling of Church offices, also caused conflict. Eastern leaders rejected this practice, while it had become common in parts of the West. Icon veneration also differed: Western Christians used statues and images, while Eastern Christians allowed icons but rejected improper worship of images.

There were theological differences regarding original sin. Western Christianity emphasized inherited guilt from Adam, requiring baptism to remove it. Eastern Christianity emphasized separation from God rather than inherited guilt. Vestments and liturgical styles also differed.

The biblical canon also differed. Orthodox Bibles included additional books beyond those recognized in the Western canon.

The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures from the third century BC, included additional texts known as deuterocanonical books, which became part of later debates.

Pope Gregory VII emerged as a major reformer. He strengthened papal authority and established the conclave system, where cardinals would elect the pope privately.

He also reinforced clerical celibacy as binding law and emphasized papal supremacy.

Pope Benedict IX, who served three times and was very young during his first term, reflected the instability of the period.

During this century, the Crusades began, considered by many as one of Christianity’s greatest mistakes.

As Islamic territorial expansion continued, tensions increased between Christian and Muslim powers.

Political and territorial ambitions played a significant role, even though religious language was used.

It cannot be said that the Crusades began simply because Muslims had taken Jerusalem, since that had occurred three centuries earlier. Political control of the Holy Land was central.

A new Holy Roman Empire emerged and sought to confront Islamic power.

In 1095, Pope Urban II, at the Council of Clermont, called Christians to reclaim Jerusalem, declaring “Voluntas Dei” meaning “God wills it.”

The First Crusade began in 1096, followed by others.

Some historians view the Crusades as retaliation for Muslim conquests. Others emphasize violence committed by both sides.

According to some accounts, after the First Crusade victory, Christians struggled with guilt, but Church authorities reassured them that they had eliminated evil rather than committed murder.

Perspectives differ. Some Catholics see the Crusades as necessary. Many Muslims believe they never truly ended. Historians often acknowledge excesses on both sides.

Christians and Muslims, sharing the same Abrahamic roots, fought in the name of one God.

In 1096, Peter the Hermit led an unofficial crusade of poorly equipped followers.

Along the way, many Jewish communities were massacred. Eventually, the Seljuk Turks defeated this group.

Nobles such as Godfrey of Bouillon, Tancred of Sicily, and Baldwin of Boulogne became leaders in the Crusades.

In 1099, Jerusalem was captured. Accounts describe severe violence and bloodshed.

Civilians were not spared. Even those seeking refuge in mosques were killed. It was an extremely violent conquest.

The century ended in turmoil, and the Crusades would continue in the centuries that followed, along with ongoing violence.