Byzantine Empire

By JenniferRGant
  • 330

    Constantine founds a new Capital of the Roman Empire

    The ancient city of Byzantium, renamed Constantinople and later becomes the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
  • Period: 330 to Jan 1, 1453

    Byzantine Empire

  • 395

    Roman Empire divides in half

    The eastern Roman empire was based in Constantinople and the western Roman empire based in Rome.
  • 476

    Western Empire falls

    The Eastern Roman empire survives and becomes known as the Byzantine Empire.
  • 526

    Justinian's reign begins

    He conquers Africa, Spain and Italy which were part of the Western Roman empire. The Hagia Sophia was constructed.
  • 568

    Lombards invade

    They eventually took northern Italy from the Byzantines.
  • Jan 1, 610

    Heraclius becomes emperor

    They temporarily hold Mesopotamia. They lose Palestine, Syria and Egypt to the Muslims.
  • Jan 1, 690

    North Africa is lost to Muslims

  • Jan 1, 693

    Muslims attack Constantinople

  • Period: Jan 1, 717 to Jan 1, 718

    Muslims attack Constantinople by land and sea

    The attack by the Muslims is held off.
  • Jan 1, 721

    The empire regains control of Asia Minor.

  • Jan 1, 726

    Emperor Leo III bans the use of Icons

  • Jan 1, 800

    Charlemagne is crowned Emperor of the Romans

    Pope Leo III in Rome crowns him and for the first time in 300 years there is an emperor in the east and the west.
  • Jan 1, 843

    Use of icons is restored.

  • Jan 1, 924

    Bulgars unsuccessfully attack Constantinople

  • Jan 1, 941

    Prince Igor of Kiev attacks

    He attacks both Bithynia and later Constantinople. The Byzantines destroy the Russian fleet.
  • Jan 1, 972

    Basil II becomes Emperor

  • Jan 1, 992

    Venetians granted trading rights

  • Jan 1, 995

    Basil II reconquers Syria from the Muslims.

  • Jan 1, 996

    Basil II reconquers Greece from the Bulgars.

  • Jan 1, 1014

    Basil II destroys Bulgar army

    Destroying them earns him the title of Bulgaroktonos "Bulgar slayer"
  • Jan 1, 1054

    The great Schism

    The Latin Roman Church and the Greek Orthodox church excommunicate each other.
  • Jan 1, 1055

    Normans take southern Italy.

  • Jan 1, 1071

    Defeated by the Seljuk Turks

    This resulted in the permanent loss of Asia Minor.
  • Jan 1, 1075

    Loss of Syria to Muslims

  • Jan 1, 1087

    Byzantines are defeated in Thrace

  • Jan 1, 1095

    Alexius appeals for help against Turks.

    It is at the Council of Piacenza
  • Jan 1, 1096

    Crusaders arrive at Constantinople

  • Jan 1, 1179

    Byzantines defeated by the Sultanate of Rum

    This happened at Myriokephalon and hopes of regaining Asia minor are lost.
  • Jan 1, 1202

    The fourth crusade is assembled in Venice.

  • Jan 1, 1204

    Fourth crusade captures Constantinople

    The Latin Empire of Constantinople is formed.
  • Jan 1, 1261

    Nicaea recaptures Constantinople and restores Byzantine Empire.

  • Jan 1, 1453

    Fall to Ottomans

    When Constantinople fell to the Ottomans it effectively caused the fall of the Byzantine empire.