History Trivia

March 12, 538 Witiges, king of the Ostrogoths ended his siege of Rome and retreated to Ravenna, leaving the city in the hands of the victorious Roman general, Belisarius. 604 Pope Gregory I died. Saint Gregory was the foremost influence in shaping the medieval papacy, and also reformed the mass, which enabled the development of the Gregorian Chant. 1088 Pope Urban II elected. He is perhaps best known for beginning the Crusade movement. 1507 Cesare Borgia was killed while fighting for the Navarrese king in the city of Viana, Spain.