1045
Song court reforms the civil examination system
Following Fan Zhongyan's advocacy, the Song government expanded the civil service examination to emphasize policy essays and practical governance over rote memorization of classical texts. The reform opened officialdom to a broader range of talented men regardless of family connections, deepening the meritocratic character that distinguished the Song bureaucracy from every other government on earth.
Benedict IX sells the papacy
The scandalous pope sold the throne of St. Peter to his godfather Giovanni Graziano for a large sum, so he could marry. Graziano became Gregory VI. Within months rival claimants would split the city and force Emperor Henry III to march on Rome and install a German reformer. The spectacle of a pope selling his office became the most notorious example of simony in Church history.
Byzantine annexation of Armenia
Constantinople absorbed the Bagratid kingdom of Ani after the last Armenian king was browbeaten into ceding it. The annexation was short-sighted: within twenty years the poorly defended Armenian plateau would fall to the Seljuks, opening the road to Manzikert and the loss of Anatolia by Byzantium. Tens of thousands of Armenians were displaced westward, creating diaspora communities that would outlast the empire itself.
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1045?
Saeculum lists 3 curated events from 1045. The most significant is Song court reforms the civil examination system: Following Fan Zhongyan's advocacy, the Song government expanded the civil service examination to emphasize policy essays and practical governance over rote…
What era was 1045 part of?
1045 falls within the High Middle Ages (1000-1300). Crusades, cathedrals, and the slow waking of Europe.
Which regions saw notable events in 1045?
The curated events from 1045 span East Asia, Europe and Middle East.