
Recommended read
Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
John Julius Norwich
Norwich's narrative history of the popes, from Saint Peter's successors to the modern Vatican.

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

Xiao Cha
China
555–562

Justinian I
Rome
527–565

Emperor Kinmei
Japan
539–571

Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi
China
550–559
Xiao Zhuang
China
557–560
Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou
China
557–560

Emperor Wen of Chen
China
559–566

Emperor Wu of Chen
China
557–559
Emperor Jing of Liang
China
555–557

Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou
China
560–578
Emperor Gong of Western Wei
China
554–557
Emperor Xiaozhao of Northern Qi
China
560–561
Emperor Fei of Northern Qi
China
559–560
Emperor Xiaomin of Northern Zhou
China
557–557
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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From the library
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Recommended read
John Julius Norwich
Norwich's narrative history of the popes, from Saint Peter's successors to the modern Vatican.
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