History of the Bazantines - Kael

Emperor Constantine Founded Byzantine Capital

324

The Byzantine Capital was founded in 324, and was dedicated on May 330. Constantine changed the original name Byzantium to Constantinople. After he dedicated it in 330, special coins were made to commemorate the foundation of Constantinople. And stories were said that a "divine vision" led Constantine to this particular spot, and an angel no one else could see, led him on a circuit of new walls.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns

527

Following Justin I death in 527, Justinian made Belisarius a general, and gave him the opportunity to command the Roman army to deal with certain problems from the Sassanid Empire. Belisarius main job was to reconquer the Mediterranean territory. In 531, Belisarius was chosen to be Pope Boniface II successor by the Pope himself. His job was to be in command of the land and sea expedition against the Vandal Kingdom. He later retires military in 551. He soon dies later in 565.

Nika Revolt

532

In 532, chariot racing was going on in the Hippodrome. When it was over a great riot broke out over the winner. Took place against Emperor Justinian I in Constantinople. It was the most violet riots the city has ever experienced. Within the riots the Hagia Sophia Church was destroyed. Nearly half of Constantinople was either burned or destroyed and tens of thousands of people were killed within these riots.

Hagia Sophia Completed

537

In Dec 27, 537, the Hagia Sophia was completed. It was actually rebuilt from earlier destructions due to riots which involved fire. Built by Constantine in 360, but wasn't finished, it got destroyed. Later it was rebuilt again in 415 due to fire in 404. But again is was burned and later finished in 532. The Hagia Sophia was the largest church in Constantinople. It was a Christian Orthodox Church. The church got its name because it symbolized the second divine attribute of the Holy Trinity.

Islamic Military Campaigns into Byzantine

622

Muslim conquests brought the collapse of Sassanid Empire and territorial loss for the Byzantine Empire. Byzantine lost some territory because of that fact that they were "economically exhausted" from decades of fighting one another. Muslims main quest was to expand their territory. Lastly the leaders of the Muslims were; 622-632: Muhammad, 632-661: Rashidun caliphs, lastly 661-750: Umayyad caliphs.

Emperor Basil II Conquests of Bulgaria

Jul 29, 1014

In 1014 Basil was ready to launch his campaign aimed at destroying the Bulgarian resistance. He and his general Nikephoros Xiphias outmaneuver Bulgarian army. Basil was said to of captured 15,000 prisoners and blinded 99 out of 100 men, leaving one one-eyed man to lead the rest back to their ruler. Finally in 1018 the Bulgarian Empire was destroyed by non-other then Basil II and his army of men.

Great Schism

1054

The Great Schism is the break of communion between the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches. The eastern church was allowed to marry, and they believed that the patriarch was the leader only of a single area. The west believes that the pope is the leader of all Christians. Because of all the arguments of different beliefs they broke apart and Byzantine church became Eastern Orthodox Church & the western church became the Roman Catholic Church

Emperor Alexios I Contacts Pope Urban II

Nov 27, 1095

In November 27, 1095 AD, Pope Urban II made a very important speech by calling all Christians in Europe to war against Muslims in order to claim their Holy Land. After Pope Urban II made this speech, the first crusade was launched. The Holy Land is known as the Middle East. Alexios wanted his help so they could become more successful in the process.

Fourth Crusade

1203

Western European armed expedition was called on by Pope Innocent III. The purpose behind the attack was for political and economic gain and also to reconquer Muslim - controlled Jerusalem by any means of invasion throughout Egypt. It was a series of events the culminated in the Crusaders sacking the city of Constantinople, which ended the Fourth Crusade in 1204.

Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks

May 29, 1453

On April 6, 1453, the a battle begins, between the Byzantines and the Ottoman Turks. The Ottomans are commanded by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Mehmed sends out his best troops to begin with. He also has his army use canons. But by the time they get it reloaded the Byzantines will have fixed the damages, so the canon was not much of use. So he sends his troops on ships. This time it works, he gets into Constantinople and conquers it. The battle lasted 53 days and was won by the Ottoman Turks.