7. 536 was the worst year of the worst century in human history some scientists believe, thanks to freakish weather, famines and widespread warfare.
The 6th century was a pretty grim time to be alive, even if you were lucky enough to have been born into royalty. Not for nothing is this period referred to as the ‘Dark Ages’. And, according to one 2018 study, one year was darker than them all – literally so. The year 536 was, it’s believed, the worst of the worse. Across Europe, the Middle East and large parts of Asia, people were plunged into darkness. Scientists have shown that a huge volcanic eruption – possibly in Iceland, but perhaps in El Salvador – caused temperatures to plummet as ash blocked out sunlight for most of the year. At the time, however, most people would have simply attributed the freakish weather as an act of God, most probably fearing the end of the world was upon them.
As if freezing temperatures, a lack of sunlight and the total failure of crops weren’t enough, large parts of the world were also engulfed by war. Both halves of the Roman Empire had finally fallen, leaving chaos and uncertainty in their wake. Moreover, even if you made it through the hell that was 536, a whole decade of misery was in store. It’s believed that there were other large volcanic eruptions in 540, plus bubonic plague broke out in 541. “It was,” says Harvard University’s Professor Michael McCormick, “the beginning of one of the worst periods to be alive, if not the worst year.”