August 11

Events

3114 BC

The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, used by several pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations, notably the Maya, begins.

The Maya inaugurate the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, setting a fixed epoch for their advanced civilization.
On August 11th, 3114 BC, Mesoamerican societies including the Maya began using the Long Count calendar, which used a base-20 and base-18 system to tally days over vast cycles. This sophisticated timekeeping allowed astronomers to record astronomical events, ritual dates, and dynastic records with precision. The start date corresponds to a mythological creation date in Maya cosmology. The calendar counted days in units of k’in (1 day), winal (20 days), tun (360 days), k’atun (7,200 days), and baktun (144,000 days). Over the centuries, many stelae and inscriptions recorded dates in this system, enabling modern scholars to correlate Maya history with our calendar. The Long Count remains a testament to the mathematical and astronomical prowess of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations. Its legacy survives in monuments, codices, and the fascination it inspires today.
3114 BC Mesoamerican Long Count calendar pre-Columbian Mesoamerican Maya
2492 BC

Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation.

According to legend, Hayk, the patriarch of the Armenian nation, defeats the Babylonian ruler Bel, marking the founding of Armenia.
August 11th, 2492 BC is traditionally celebrated as the day when Hayk, a legendary forefather of the Armenians, overcame the tyrant Bel in battle. According to Armenian mythology, Hayk led his people to freedom after rejecting Bel’s oppressive rule. The confrontation is said to have taken place at the foot of Mount Ararat, a site later central to Armenian identity. Hayk’s victory established him as a symbol of independence and national pride. This myth has been recounted in medieval chronicles and epic poetry through the centuries. It forms a foundational narrative for Armenian statehood and cultural heritage. The story of Hayk and Bel continues to inspire national celebrations and scholarly research into ancient Armenian traditions.
2492 BC Bel Hayk Armenian
106day.year

The south-western part of Dacia (modern Romania) becomes a Roman province: Roman Dacia.

Emperor Trajan formally annexes southwestern Dacia as the Roman province of Dacia, extending Rome’s frontier into modern Romania.
On August 11th, 106 AD, Emperor Trajan formally incorporated the southwestern region of Dacia into the Roman Empire, creating the province of Roman Dacia. This followed Trajan’s successful campaigns in the Dacian Wars, which concluded with the defeat of the Dacian king Decebalus. The new province served as a strategic military zone and a source of rich mineral resources, including gold and silver. Roman legions established forts, roads, and settlements that facilitated Romanization and economic integration. Towns like Sarmizegetusa Regia were transformed by Roman urban planning and architecture. The frontier of Roman Dacia would remain a key defense line along the Danube for over a century. Today, archaeological remnants attest to the region’s importance in Roman imperial history.
106 Dacia Romania Roman province Roman Dacia
117day.year

Hadrian is proclaimed Roman emperor, two days after Trajan's death.

Following Trajan’s death, Hadrian is proclaimed Roman emperor, initiating a reign focused on consolidation and cultural projects.
On August 11th, 117 AD, Hadrian, then a prominent general and Trajan’s close successor, was officially proclaimed emperor of Rome two days after Trajan’s death. Unlike his predecessor’s expansionist policies, Hadrian focused on consolidating and organizing the empire’s vast territories. He toured the provinces, reformed the army, and commissioned architectural marvels such as Hadrian’s Wall in Britain. His reign is remembered for legal codifications, patronage of the arts, and an emphasis on cultural exchange across diverse regions. Hadrian’s rule also saw diplomatic efforts to maintain peace, including withdrawal from some distant conquests. The emperor’s philosophical interests and personal leadership style left a lasting impact on imperial governance. His legacy endures in monuments and in the study of Roman law and architecture.
117 Hadrian Roman emperor Trajan
355day.year

Claudius Silvanus, accused of treason, proclaims himself Roman Emperor against Constantius II.

General Claudius Silvanus declares himself Roman Emperor in Gaul amid accusations of treason, challenging Constantius II.
On August 11th, 355 AD, Claudius Silvanus, a distinguished Roman general stationed in Gaul, was accused of treason and responded by proclaiming himself emperor against Constantius II. His rebellion reflected deep divisions within the Roman military and political elite during the Constantinian dynasty. Silvanus gained the support of several legions and local Gallic leaders, posing a serious threat to the central authority. In response, Constantius sent trusted envoys to negotiate peace but ultimately arranged Silvanus’s assassination. The brief usurpation ended within weeks, restoring imperial control in the Rhine frontier. This episode underscored the volatility of succession and the precarious balance between military commanders and the emperor. It remains a notable example of internal strife in late Roman imperial history.
355 Claudius Silvanus Roman Emperor Constantius II
490day.year

Battle of Adda: The Goths under Theodoric the Great and his ally Alaric II defeat the forces of Odoacer on the Adda River, near Milan.

Theodoric the Great and Alaric II lead Gothic forces to victory over Odoacer’s army at the Battle of Adda near Milan.
On August 11th, 490 AD, the allied Gothic armies commanded by Theodoric the Great and his ally Alaric II confronted the forces of Odoacer at the Adda River near Milan. The battle was a pivotal moment in the struggle for control of Italy following the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Odoacer, who had ruled Italy since deposing the last Roman emperor, faced a united Gothic challenge. Theodoric’s tactical prowess and organized infantry maneuvers secured a decisive victory, forcing Odoacer to retreat. This triumph allowed Theodoric to consolidate power and eventually establish the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy. The battle demonstrated the shifting balance between barbarian successor states and the remnants of Roman authority. It is remembered as a key event in the transition from Roman to Gothic rule in Italy.
490 Goths Theodoric the Great Alaric II Odoacer Adda River Milan
923day.year

The Qarmatians of Bahrayn capture and pillage the city of Basra.

The radical Qarmatian sect from Bahrain sacks the city of Basra, marking one of their most notorious raids in early Islamic history.
On August 11th, 923 AD, the Qarmatians, an Ismaili Shi’a sect based in eastern Arabia, launched a devastating attack on the thriving Abbasid port city of Basra in present-day Iraq. The raiders captured the city, plundered its wealth, and desecrated religious shrines, causing widespread panic. The Qarmatians were known for their radical beliefs and recurrent incursions against the Abbasid Caliphate. Their control of trade routes in the Persian Gulf allowed them to strike with military precision. The sack of Basra disrupted commerce and weakened the authority of the caliphate in its provinces. Although the Qarmatians never held Basra for long, the raid demonstrated their capacity to challenge the dominant Islamic powers. This event remains a significant example of sectarian conflict and maritime raiding in medieval Middle Eastern history.
923 Qarmatians Bahrayn capture and pillage Basra
1315day.year

The Great Famine of Europe becomes so dire that even the king of England has difficulties buying bread for himself and his entourage.

The onset of the Great Famine reaches a critical point where even the English king struggles to procure bread amidst severe food shortages.
By August 11th, 1315, the Great Famine that began with heavy rains and crop failures had intensified across Europe, plunging communities into starvation. Unseasonal weather destroyed harvests, leading to soaring grain prices and widespread hunger among peasants and nobility alike. Reports from England indicate that King Edward II and his court faced difficulty in securing basic supplies of bread. Malnutrition and disease spread as people consumed bark, roots, and other inedible materials to survive. Famine exacerbated social tensions, prompting theft, violence, and migration in search of food. It is estimated that up to 10 percent of the population perished during this multi-year crisis. The Great Famine had long-lasting impacts on demography, agriculture, and feudal labor relations throughout medieval Europe.
1315 Great Famine of Europe
1332day.year

Wars of Scottish Independence: Battle of Dupplin Moor: Scots under Domhnall II, Earl of Mar are routed by Edward Balliol.

Edward Balliol’s forces decisively defeat the Scots under Domhnall II at the Battle of Dupplin Moor during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
On August 11th, 1332, during the Wars of Scottish Independence, Edward Balliol led a smaller but well-disciplined army against the forces of Domhnall II, Earl of Mar, at Dupplin Moor. Despite being outnumbered, Balliol’s troops executed an effective defensive formation, using spearmen and archers to repel cavalry charges. The Scots suffered heavy losses, with many nobles killed or captured, and their battle lines were broken in hours. Balliol’s victory allowed him to claim the Scottish throne as a puppet king under English influence. The battle demonstrated the evolving tactics of medieval warfare and the importance of disciplined infantry. Its outcome deepened divisions within Scotland and prolonged the struggle for national sovereignty. Dupplin Moor is remembered as one of the earliest conflicts highlighting the lethal efficiency of well-coordinated foot soldiers and archers.
1332 Wars of Scottish Independence Battle of Dupplin Moor Domhnall II, Earl of Mar Edward Balliol
1473day.year

The Battle of Otlukbeli: Mehmed the Conqueror of the Ottoman Empire decisively defeats Uzun Hassan of Aq Qoyunlu.

Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror achieves a decisive victory over Uzun Hassan of Aq Qoyunlu at the Battle of Otlukbeli.
On August 11th, 1473, Sultan Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire faced Uzun Hassan, ruler of the Aq Qoyunlu confederation, in fierce combat at Otlukbeli in eastern Anatolia. The Ottoman forces, using superior artillery and disciplined Janissary infantry, outmaneuvered Hassan’s cavalry-focused army. The defeat shattered the power of the Aq Qoyunlu and solidified Ottoman dominance in the region. Mehmed’s victory opened the way for further expansion into Persia and the Caucasus. Casualties were heavy on both sides, but the Ottomans captured key commanders and war matériel. The battle highlighted the transformative impact of gunpowder weapons on late medieval warfare. Otlukbeli is commemorated as one of Mehmed the Conqueror’s most significant military achievements.
1473 Battle of Otlukbeli Mehmed the Conqueror Ottoman Empire Uzun Hassan Aq Qoyunlu
1492day.year

Rodrigo de Borja is elected as Head of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Alexander VI.

Rodrigo de Borja is elected Pope Alexander VI, marking the start of a controversial and politically powerful papacy.
On August 11, 1492, Spanish cardinal Rodrigo de Borja was elected as head of the Catholic Church, adopting the name Pope Alexander VI. He was the first Spanish pope in centuries, known for his assertive leadership and worldly ambitions. Alexander VI’s papacy was marked by intense political maneuvering and nepotism, elevating the Borgia family to unprecedented influence. His patronage of the arts fueled the Italian Renaissance but also drew criticism for moral lapses within the Vatican. Amid the Italian Wars, he played a central role in European diplomacy and power struggles. His complex legacy continues to fascinate historians and art scholars alike.
1492 Pope Alexander VI
1675day.year

Franco-Dutch War: Forces of the Holy Roman Empire defeat the French in the Battle of Konzer Brücke.

Imperial troops of the Holy Roman Empire rout French forces at the Battle of Konzer Brücke during the Franco-Dutch War.
On August 11, 1675, soldiers of the Holy Roman Empire clashed with French troops at the Konzer Brücke in present-day Germany. This encounter formed part of the broader Franco-Dutch War, driven by France’s expansionist aims under Louis XIV. Under Duke Charles V of Lorraine, Imperial forces executed a daring river crossing to surprise the French defenders. The victory stalled French advances in the region and boosted the morale of the anti-French coalition. The battle highlighted the strategic importance of fortified river crossings in 17th-century military campaigns. Its outcome underscored shifting alliances and evolving tactics during Europe’s age of absolutism.
1675 Franco-Dutch War Holy Roman Empire French Battle of Konzer Brücke