History of the Byzantines

Emperor Constantine I founded the Byzantine Capital

330

After taking over the Greek city of Byzantium and naming it after himself, Constantine made Constantinople the new capital of his empire. The eastern Roman empire became the Byzantine empire, as his new capital became the "New Rome".

General Belisarius Military Campaigns

530

While the Byzantine emperor of 527-565 was in office, many lands were being overrun by rulers. General Belisarius recovered multiple countries such as North Africa, Italy, and the southern Iberian peninsula. Unfortunately the victories were temporary and later the lands would fall into enemy hands.

Nika revolt (riots)

532

These week-long riots were against Emperor Constanine and were considered the most violent riots in the history of Constinople as they destroyed almost half the city.

Hagia Sophia Completed

537

The Hagia Sofia was a large church with an arching dome, colored marble, and embroidered silk curtains. It's name meant "Holy Wisdom" and it's purpose was to restore Roman glory to the city of Constantinople.

Early Islamic military campaigns into Byzantine territory

700

While there were many attacks against Byzantine territory, the fiercest were from the Arab armies who brought in the religion of Islam.First these armies took over wealthy places such as Egypt and Syria before heading for Constantinople.

Emperor Basil II military conquests of Bulgaria

986

When Emperor Basil first marched into Bulgaria with his army of 30,000, he quickly began to doubt the loyalty of his followers and on the way home was attacked. The second time Basil used a slower but smarter strategy and managed to completely overtake the Bulgarians.

Great Schism

1054

The Great Schism was the permanent divide of the Christian church into the Byzantine Christian Church (east - later known as the Orthodox Christian Church) and the Roman Catholic Church (west). The Eastern Orthodox churches were ruled by a number of patriarchs and the Roman Catholic Church followed a single Pope.

Emperor Alexios I contacts Pope Urban II for military help in Middle East

1095

When the Seljuk Turks threatened to take over the Holy Land (Jerusalem and other places where Jesus visited), Alexios asked Urban for knights and despite their rivalry, Urban agreed. He declared war and armies of ordinary people went into battle, very few returning home.

Fourth Crusade (attack on Constantinople)

1204

Instead of fighting the Muslims, the crusaders ended up fighting fellow Christians because of an agreement with Alexios Angelos who wanted his father's throne. After attacking and taking over Constantinople, the crusaders put Alexios in charge only to have him killed not long after.

Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks (official end to Byzantines)

1453

After the Fourth Crusade weakened an already weak Byzantine Empire, the Empire with very little land only continued to decline. Not much later, Mehmet II led the Ottoman Turks as they invaded and conquered Constantinople causing the empire to finally fall.