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Constantine now became the Western Roman emperor. He soon used his power to address the status of Christians, issuing the Edict of Milan in 313. This proclamation legalized Christianity and allowed for freedom of worship throughout the empire.
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The Christian persecution of Roman religion under Theodosius I began in 381, after the first couple of years of his reign in the Eastern Roman Empire.
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Constantinople was ravaged by riots due to high taxes. In order to quell the riots, rebuild the city, and reestablish order, Justinian codified Roman Law. He unified law in order to organize the empire.
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Before her marriage to Justinian I, she was a courtesan with a humble origin. She was one of the most influential empresses of the empire, not only for her beauty but for intelligence. She convinced Justinian to murder the protestants in the Hippodrome.
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Had a deep Christian faith.
Overthrew Phocas
Restored the Jerusalem cross.
Inspiring military leader.
The Arab Invasion. By this time, it was generally expected by the Byzantine populace that the emperor would lead Byzantium into a new age of glory. However, all of Heraclius' achievements would come to naught, when, in 633, the Byzantine-Arab Wars began. On June 8, 632, the Islamic Prophet Muhammad died of a fever. -
Empress Irene of Athens was the first female ruler of the Byzantine Empire.
With the success of the Bulgar front and the matrimonial alliance with Charlemagne, Irene turned her attention on religious issues. -
He was the last and greatest of the emperors who brought Byzantium to its military zenith. The Byzantine emperor Basil II (ca. 958-1025) ruled from 963 to 1025 and was called Bulgaroctonus (Bulgar-Slayer). He was the last and greatest of the emperors who brought Byzantium to its military zenith.
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She became self-assertive and jealous, exiling her sister Theodora to a monastery; and, neglected by her husband, became enamored of Michael, her young Paphlagonian chamberlain. In 1034 the emperor became ill, allegedly poisoned by Zoe; and, upon his death on April 11, she at once took control and married Michael, who was proclaimed Emperor Michael IV.