Byzantines

Emperor Constantine I founded the Byzantine capital

330

The Eastern Roman Empire moved their capital to the old city of Byzantine. Emperor Constantine then rebuilt and renamed the city New Rome. It was then later called Constintople. It was a great location because it was surrounded by water, and had an excellent harbor.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns

532

Emperor Justinian commanded Belisarius to lead the Roman military. The great general had many victories. Belisarius lead his army to success against Persia, which prooved to Justinian that he was an effective commander. Belisarius then went to Ostrogoths, Italy and also won. While he was in Ostrogoths, he took on Sicily, Naples, Rome, and Ravenna. General Belisarius also suppressed the Nika riots that broke out and nearly overthrew Justinian.

Nika riots

532

The Nika Revolt occured in Constantinople and lasted about a week. It was the most violent riot that occured in Constantinople. The riot started over the sport of chariot racing, but then turned into an anger over Justinians policies. The people burned down churches, buildings, and rioted throughout the city. At the end of the riot, it is said that tens of thousands of people were massacred and the city was destroyed.

Hagia Sophia

537

The Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) was completed in 537. After the church was destroyed, Justainian ordered 10,000 to rebuild it. It took the men about 6 years. The interior was made with colorful marbles and stones.

Islamic military campaigns into Byzantine territory

Sep 1, 700

The Byzantine empire was destroyed after the loss it took when the Islamic conquer occured around 700 AD. This happened partially because of the fact that Byzantines military was exhausted from fighting the Sassinid Empire.

Emperor Basil II military conquests of Bulgaria

Sep 16, 1025

Emperor Basil II was considered one of the best emperors of the Byzantines. There was a war against Byzantium and Bulgaria, and slowly Basil started taking over their land. He conquered the Northern Territory, then the capital, overtaking it all.

Great Schism

Sep 15, 1054

The Great Schism was the permanent division between the Eastern and Western Christian churches. The Eastern church was known as the Greek Orthodox Church. The Western church became the Catholic Church.

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

Nov 27, 1095

Emperor Alexios I sends a letter to Pope Urban II asking for military help to defeat the Turks. They were attempting to capture the Holy Land which was the beginning of the Crusades in 1095. Pope Urban II asked Western Christans to help get back Jerusalem from the Invaders in the Council of Cleremont. Urban also promised that there would be complete remission of sins, so this increased the amount of Christian crusaders.

Attack on Constantinople

Apr 13, 1204

The fourth crusade was an attack on Constantinople, the Byzantines capital. The crusaders originally planned on conquering Jerusalem from the Musliums. instead, ended up attacking Constantinople with the help of the Venetians.

Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks

Sep 15, 1453

The Ottoman Turks attack on Constantinople brought the city down in 1453. The Turks used cannons, warships, and other weapons that destroyed the walls of the city, and took over Constantinople.