1578
Battle of the Three Kings
At Alcacer Quibir in Morocco, the young King Sebastian of Portugal and two rival sultans all died in a chaotic battle in the desert.
Altan Khan Meets the Dalai Lama
The Mongol ruler Altan Khan summoned the Gelug lama Sonam Gyatso to his camp on the eastern steppe and granted him the Mongol title Dalai, meaning ocean…
Drake Enters Pacific via Magellan Strait
Francis Drake's Golden Hind passed through the Strait of Magellan in sixteen days, the fastest crossing yet, and emerged into the Pacific.
Catacombs of Rome Rediscovered
A hillside collapse on the Via Salaria revealed a network of underground Christian burial galleries…
Moroccan Sa'adi Triumph
The Sa'adi sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, brother of the slain Moulay Abdallah, emerged from the Battle of the Three Kings as the new ruler of Morocco.
Want 1578 in context? Print the whole 16th century as a one-sheet timeline chart.
Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1578?
Saeculum lists 5 events from 1578. The most significant is Battle of the Three Kings: At Alcacer Quibir in Morocco, the young King Sebastian of Portugal and two rival sultans all died in a chaotic battle in the desert.
What era was 1578 part of?
1578 falls within the Renaissance (1501-1650). Reformation, conquest, and the world drawn whole.
Which regions saw notable events in 1578?
The events from 1578 span Africa, Central Asia, South America and Europe.