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330
Constantine I Founds Byzantine Capital
When the Roman Empire was assailed by Germanic invaders the ruling emperor, Constantine I, and his successors decided to flee to the Eastern Mediterranean. There, Constantine built upon the pre-existing Greek city of Byzantium and renamed it after himself - Constantinople. Constantine declared his city the empire's new capital. From there roads wound outwards into the Middle East, Balkans and North Africa. After a while the new Roman Empire took a new name - the Byzantine Empire. -
Period: 330 to Jan 1, 1453
Byzantine Empire
During this time the Byzantine Empire ruled over the Mediterranean area. At its peak, the empire spanned from Asia Minor and parts of the Middle East to Southern Spain, stretching over Northern Africa and engulfing Italy and the Balkans. As time went on the vast expanse of territory, controlled by the Byzantines, slowly diminished until they were eventually conquered. By the Ottomans. -
Period: 527 to 565
Justinian Rules the Byzantines
The Byzantine Empire reached its zenith under the reign of the emperor Justinian, who was known for issuing several large projects including a church and a series of military campaigns. More notable even, was Justinian's reformation of law. Early in his rule, Justinian set out to reorganize and revise the laws of Ancient Rome. This was named Justinian's Code and eventually would go on to influence Western European monarchs. -
Period: 533 to 545
The Military Campaigns of General Belisarius
Another goal of Emperor Justinian was to reclaim territories on Ancient Rome, now lost to invaders. Under the command of General Belisarius, the Byzantine Empire would conquer such places as Italy, North Africa, and the southern Iberian Peninsula. All of the warring did not come without a price, however, and before long Justinian's treasuries were depleted and the eastern defenses were left weakened. In time, none of the victories proved permanent and the Byzantines would lose them all. -
537
Hagia Sophia Completed
When riots and fires destroyed parts of Constantinople, Justinian set out to reclaim the glory and honorof Rome. The ruler started a project to make his city more magnificent than ever. This project was the Hagia Sophia, a grand, church with an incredible arching dome, surpassing that of the previous Roman architects. The inside was adorned in brilliantly colored marble and lavish silk curtains. -
Period: Jan 1, 600 to Jan 1, 700
Islamic Conquests Parts of the Byzantine Territory
Around this time Muslims in the Mediterranean area launched a series of many military campaigns. One of these was a huge (and constantly attempted) siege on the city of Constantinople itself. The city held off the attackers, by land and sea, their enemies suffering a humiliating defeat when their fleet is destroyed in a storm. However, the Arabs managed some victories against the Byzantines, claiming teritories in the Middle East and Africa. -
Jan 1, 1025
Emperor Basil II and His Military Campaigns
Emperor Basil II stands out among the Byzantine Emperors for his incredibly forceful personality and for his military exploits, most notably against Bulgaria. For several years Basil led gruelingly persistent attacks against his enemies, pausing occasionally to settle smaller issues. When he finally conquered his opponents in Bulgaria he blinded them all (literally), leaving every 100th man with one eye to lead them back to their ruler, who is said to have died of shock at seeing such a horror. -
Jan 1, 1054
The Great Schism
During this time the two branches of Christianity became more and more distant, disagreeing over which icons and figures to include in worship. Over time this led to a split, or schism between the churches. The Byzantine church banned the use of some images, resulting in violent protests within the empire. Although the emperor eventually restored the worship of such icons, there was still a great resentment for the Byzantine church, and the two churches finally made a permanent split. -
Jan 1, 1095
Emperor Alexios I and Pope Urban II
During this time the then-current Byzantine Emperor, Alexios I, was warring heavily against the Seljuk Turks. He was in need of assistance and went to the Pope, Urban II, for help. That year, Urban gave a speech at the Council of Clermont urging Christians to take back their holy land from the Turks. Many who listened were influenced and decided to take up arms against the Turks. This began the first of the Crusades. -
Jan 1, 1204
The Fourth Crusade
The Fourth Crusade was a huge military campaign with the goal of reclaiming the holy city of Jerusalem. Ultimately, that objective failed and the city of Constantinople was instead conquered. Constantinople was weakened by its lack of solid leadership and the fact that it was recovering from a civil war. Several works of art from the city were destroyed or stolen, nt found even to this day. The results of this Crusade angered the Pope greatly, as fellow christians were attacked. -
Jan 1, 1435
End of the Byzantines
By 1453 all that was left of the Byzantine Empire was the city of Constantinople and hardly anything else. In this year the Ottomans launched their final assault against the city. Constantine XI, the Byzantine emperor, refused to surrender to the attack. However, his defences proved to be out-dated and useless against the Ottomans' cannons, which tore the city's walls apart to nothing but rubble. The fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Eastern Roman Empire.
