What things were different a millennium ago?

A millennium ago, around the year 1023, the world was vastly different in terms of technology, society, and culture. Most people lived in agrarian societies with limited access to education and information, relying on oral traditions rather than written texts. The political landscape was dominated by feudal systems, with monarchies and local lords holding significant power, and religion, particularly Christianity in Europe and Islam in the Middle East, played a central role in daily life. Additionally, global exploration and trade were minimal, with geographic knowledge largely confined to local regions.