May 15

He ascended the throne at the age of four following the death of his brother Gratian. His reign was dominated by the influence of regents and the powerful general Arbogast. Valentinian II faced internal rebellions and conflicts with Gothic tribes along the Danube. In 387 he was briefly ousted by Magnus Maximus and took refuge with Emperor Theodosius I. Restored to power, he struggled to assert authority against rival generals. His mysterious death in 392 marked the end of his turbulent rule and raised questions of foul play or suicide.

Born around 476, he withdrew to the forests near Galeata to live a life of solitude and prayer. His ascetic lifestyle attracted disciples seeking spiritual guidance. Hilary established a monastery that became a center of devotion and learning in Tuscany. Pilgrims traveled to him for counsel and blessings. He was celebrated for his miracles and unwavering faith. Venerated as a saint, his legacy endures in the traditions of Italian monasticism.

Born circa 830, Marinus rose through the Roman clergy before his election as pope in 882. His brief pontificate involved mediating disputes among Frankish nobles and kings. He strove to protect church interests against secular encroachments. Marinus supported local synods to reinforce ecclesiastical discipline. He encouraged missionary activity in pagan regions bordering the empire. His sudden death in 884 brought an end to his efforts at reconciliation and reform.

Born around 850, Hatto became Bishop of Mainz in 891 and later assumed the archiepiscopal seat. He served as chief counselor to Kings Arnulf and Louis the Child, shaping imperial policies. Hatto convened synods to reform the clergy and reinforce church authority. He managed vast church lands and acted as mediator in noble disputes. His administrative skills strengthened the archbishopric’s role in the Holy Roman Empire. He died in 913, remembered for his blend of spiritual leadership and political acumen.

Born Li Cunxu in 885, he emerged as a formidable military commander against the Later Liang dynasty. In 923 he declared himself emperor of the Later Tang, reviving Tang traditions. His governance fostered cultural patronage, attracting poets and scholars to the court. Zhuang Zong reorganized the military and stabilized northern China’s frontiers. Despite these successes, his harsh treatment of dissenters sparked mutinies. He was slain in a palace revolt in 926, ending a brief but impactful reign.

Little is recorded of Byrhthelm’s early life before his consecration in the mid-10th century. As Bishop of Wells, he worked to implement Benedictine reforms across his diocese. He promoted the copying of liturgical texts and supported ties with prominent monastic centers. Byrhthelm was praised for his pastoral care and charitable outreach to the poor. His governance helped strengthen the Church’s presence in Somerset. He died in 973, leaving a legacy of clerical discipline and learning.

Born in 1008, he ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 1016 as a child emperor under the Fujiwara regency. His era witnessed the flourishing of waka poetry and refined court rituals. Go-Ichijō patronized the compilation of official histories and supported literary salons. Diplomatic envoys maintained ties with the Song dynasty, enriching cultural exchange. The imperial court under his reign produced classic works that define Heian aesthetics. He passed away in 1036, remembered for fostering an era of artistic elegance.

Born in 1099 as the son of Vladimir Monomakh, Yuri governed Rostov and Suzdal before turning his sights on Kiev. He is traditionally credited with the first recorded mention of Moscow in 1147. Through diplomatic marriages and military campaigns, he extended his influence over key trade routes. Yuri fortified strategic towns along the Volga and Dnieper rivers, boosting regional commerce. His tenure in Kiev was marked by dynastic rivalry that shaped later Rus’ politics. He died in 1157, leaving a nascent Moscow destined for future prominence.

A member of the Rubenid dynasty, Mleh seized the Cilician throne in 1170 after a fierce struggle with his brother. Aligning with Muslim neighbors, he challenged nearby Crusader states for regional dominance. His military campaigns expanded Armenian territories but provoked deep internal dissent. Mleh’s forced religious conversions of nobles and harsh rule alienated many supporters. He was assassinated in 1175, leaving a legacy of ambition and controversy. His reign exemplifies the complex alliances of the Crusader era.

Born in 1118, he inherited Aleppo from his father Imad ad-Din Zengi and later secured Damascus by 1154. Nur ad-Din championed jihad against the Crusader states and fortified key fortresses. He established madrasas and hospitals, promoting religious education and public welfare. His support for Sunni scholarship led to a revival of Islamic learning across Syria. He patronized Sufi mystics and invited leading jurists to his court. His death in 1174 paved the way for Saladin to carry forward his vision of a united Muslim front.

Peter II (1203–1268), known as 'the Little Charlemagne', was a member of the House of Savoy and ruled as Count of Savoy from 1263 until his death. He expanded Savoyard territories through strategic marriages and alliances with neighboring states. A patron of religious and cultural institutions, he commissioned monasteries and churches across his domain. His niece's marriage to King Henry III of England strengthened his diplomatic ties at European courts. His effective leadership laid the foundations for Savoy's rise as a significant European principality.

Domenico Veneziano (c. 1410–1461) was a pioneering Italian Renaissance painter renowned for his masterful use of color and atmospheric light. He worked in Florence and Perugia, where his frescoes and altarpieces introduced innovative tempera techniques. His most famous work, the Santa Lucia de' Magnoli Altarpiece, demonstrates his harmonious composition and delicate figures. A contemporary of Piero della Francesca, his style influenced Umbria's artistic development. Though only a few of his works survive, his contributions helped shape the trajectory of Renaissance art.