These events likely affected food supplies and a major famine struck the region at precisely this time followed immediately by the Justinian plague pandemic. The researchers think this spate of eruptions may have combined with a solar minimum, when the sun radiates less heat, extending the grip of the freezing climate for over a century. Volcanoes can cause climate cooling by ejecting large volumes of small particles – sulphate aerosols - that block sunlight. This led to hostilities between nomadic groups and the local ruling powers in the steppe regions of northern China.Īn alliance between nomadic groups in the steppe and the remnants of the Eastern Roman Empire led to the collapse of Sasanian Empire in Persia, allowing the new Arab Empire to seize power. In cooler areas, several tribes migrated east towards China, possibly driven away by a lack of pastureland in central Asia. This may have driven expansion of the Arab Empire in the Middle East. The eastern Roman Empire's soldiers were among those struck by the plague, weakening its army and the number of Roman people.įurther south, the Arabian Peninsula received more rain allowing more vegetation to grow. This likely affected food supplies and a major famine struck the region at this time followed immediately by the Justinian plague pandemic.

There was a temperature drop following three volcanic eruptions, in 536, 540 and 547 AD. The researchers believe the Late Antique Little Ice Age began in around 535 AD.

Mini ice ages ad wars