Emperors of the Byzantine Empire

By mbuffle2023
  • Period: 272 to 337

    Constantine the Great

    Reigned from 306 to 312. Replaced the capital of Rome in a greek city that used to be called Byzantium, but renamed Constantinople. Merged the church and the government. Made Christianity the official religion in the empire. Was a brilliant strategist. Constantine kills his son, and because of this, he built lots of churches, including the Hagia Sofia.
  • Period: 347 to 395

    Theodosius the Great

    Ruled from 379 to 392 and from 392 to 395. In his first rule, he governed Rome and in the second, he governed Constantinople. He was the last emperor to rule the east and west of the empire. He campaigned against barbarians and goths. In his rule in Rome, he made Christianity official there. There were civil wars in his Constantinople reign because of Magnus Maximus.
  • Period: 482 to 565

    Justinian the Great

    Ruled from 527 to 565. Reigned with his wife Theodora, which helped him a lot in the empire. He built the Hagia Sofia for 2 physicists so the huge dome on top wouldn't cave in. He contained the Nika riots, which happened because he raised taxes. He reviewed and rewrote the Roman laws, The new set was known as the Justinian code. He conquered back much of the lost Roman empire. He faced the black death.
  • Period: 575 to 641

    Heraclius

    He reigned from 610 to 641. He made Greek the empires official language. He faced invasions from the Persians and he lost but managed to contain most of the attacks. He tried to unite the two churches. Overthrew Phocas with help from his father. He strengthened the army.
  • Period: 752 to 803

    Irene of Athens

    Reigned from 797 to 802. Co-ruled the empire with her son Constantine VI. She ended Iconoclasm. She was banished and then came back. Her son conspired against her so they blinded him. She was the first Empress. She wanted more power.
  • Period: 958 to 1025

    Basil II

    Reigned from 976 to 1025. Expanded the empire a lot. Aristocracy dominates war. Fought the Bulgarian wars. The first he lost and then won the second one coming back for revenge. He blinded all the Bulgarian army and left one soldier in 100 to lead the rest back. He was known as the Bulgar-slayer.
  • Period: 978 to 1050

    Zoe Porphyrogenita

    Ruled from 1028 to 1050. She was born into the riches. She turned the Hagia Sofia into a mosque. She co-ruled the empire with her sister Theodora.
  • Period: 980 to 1056

    Theodora Porphyrogenita

    Ruled from 1042 to 1056. Was Zoe's sister. Was exiled to a monastery. Co-ruled the empire with her sister. Went into retirement after the end of the co-rule with Zoe. After her father died, his advisers wanted another ruler to pass to power, ignoring Theodora's rights, but she forced them to accept her.