Byzantine Emperors

By Maria Julia Maya
  • 306

    Maxentius begins his threats

    Maxentius was the son of a co-emperor. He liked his father to get the throne but his power wasn’t legitimate. He starts getting control from inside by cutting taxes.
  • Period: 306 to 337

    Constantine the Great

    Born: February 27, 272
    Death: May 22, 337
    Son of an emperor, Constantine was a good tactician under Diocletian’s reign. He was later name emperor, he offered protection and gained people’s trust by fighting with them.
  • 311

    Constantine Makes and Alliance

    Constantine makes an alliance with another co-emperor, Licinius, to defeat Maxentius together. To seal the deal Constantine gives his sister to Licinius.
  • 313

    Edict of Milan

    Constantine and Licinius sign an agreement that allow all Romana to have freedom of religion.
  • 324

    The Battle of Chrysopolis

    A civil war between Licinius (east) and Constantine (West) begins. They fight and finally Constantine and his son Chryspus defeat Licinius. Constantine is now the emperor of all the Empire.
  • 325

    Christianity

    Constantine establishes Christianity as the official religion of the Empire.
  • 365

    The Great Schism

    The Christian church separated into the Eastern Orthodox church, and the Western Catholic Church.
  • 400

    Theodosian Wall

    The incredible Theodosian wall with three layers of protection begins to be constructed.
  • Period: 401 to 450

    Theodosius

    Born: 11 January 347
    Death: 11 January 347
    Theodosius was a Christian emperor with not much education. He was son of an important military leader, was very smart, and made good alliances. He defeated most invaders, and made people happy. When he died, he left the pier to his sons, they were very young, and consequently it was a disaster.
  • Period: 527 to 565

    Justinian I and Theodora

    Justinian- born: 482 death: 14 November 565
    Theodora- born: 500 death: 28 June 548
    Justinian and Theodora strengthen the empire. Justinian was even named a saint. They modified and created rules, and reconstructed the Hagia Sophia. They created the hippodrome, and constructed the Theodosian wall. Justinian created the Justinian wall, and divided the empire for better organization.
  • 529

    The Justinian Code

    The set of by emperor Justinian I is written. The empire had a new legal code.
  • 532

    The Nika Riots

    A set of riots is taking place in Justinian and Theodora's reign because of the raise of taxes. Thousands of people are against the emperors. Justinian almost wanted to leave and run, but his defiant wife, Theodora encourages him to stay and fight. So they put a new plan going. They make all the rebels go to the hippodrome with he excuse of getting to an agreement. Instead, soldiers are waiting for them there. They close the door and a giant massacre takes place.
  • 602

    Persian War

    There was a large confrontation against the Persians for land. I t lasted 26 years, but finally Heraclitus forced the Persians to play defensive on 622 and won.
  • Period: 610 to 645

    Heraclius

    Born: 575
    Death: February 11, 645
    During his time of rule. Heraclitus confronted many enemies because he had many threats coming for every border. He conquered a big portion of land, and introduced Greek as the official language. He was a great military leader, which helped him get back a lot of lost territory.
  • 730

    The Iconclasm

    The holy images and icons are prohibited in the Empire.
  • 787

    Return of the Holy Images

    Empress Irene restored the icons that were prohibited in the iconoclasm.
  • Period: 797 to 802

    Irene

    Born: 752
    Death: August 9, 803
    Irene came from a noble family and was the first female ruler of the Byzantine empire. She was humble, helped the poor and the old. She is considered a Saint by the Orthodox church. She married Leo IV, but her son rebelled against her and she was sent to exile.
  • Period: 976 to 1025

    Basil II

    Born: 958
    Death: 15 December 1025
    Basil, also called the Bulgar Slayer, was a fierce leader. She was a skilled and committed leader. He came to power because his father was a co-emperor, and after his death, he took the throne. He created a war machine and expanded the empire.
  • 986

    Byzantines vs Bulgarians

    From 986 to 1014 there was a confrontation between the Byzantines and Bulgaria for territory. Basil finally won the war, and to mark it he blinded the whole Bulgarian army, except for each 100th man. He left him with one eye so that he could guide the army back to Bulgaria, this way everybody knew what he did and was given the name of "Bulgarian Slayer"
  • Period: 1028 to 1050

    Zoe Porphyrogenita

    Born: 978
    Death: June 11, 1050
    Zoe was en empress with a very complicated life. She married three times and had an adopted son. She was exiled by her son and sent to a monastery. But, she finally came back because the people liked her and ended up ruling with her sister, Theodora whom she hated. She helped the poor and gave them some money and privileges. Her biggest accomplishment was a new way of money, a coin that she created with her sister.