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Period: 300 to Jan 1, 1500
The Byzantine Empire
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324
Emperor Constantine founded the Byzantine Capital
The city Constantinople was created by Emperor Constantine in 324. Constantinople was named after the Emporer. It was also once the Greek city Byzantium. -
532
Nika Revolts (riots)
The Nika revolt was the most violent riot in Constantinople history. About half of the city was destroyed and there were many fires. Tens of thousands of people died during the riot. -
532
Hagia Sophia
When Justinian rebuilt the Hagia Sophia, it was constructed in just six years. The short construction time caused multiple problems especially with the dome. It collapsed just 20 years after it was constructed. It was yet again rebuilt by Isidore the Young and his dome is still standing today. -
533
General Belisarius's Military Campaigns
The first campaign is against the Vandal kingdom in 533. Belisarius won the surrender of the Vandal king, Gelimer, in 534. In 535 he went to the Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy. The Goths tried to take the empire but Belisarius's army defeated them, and he took their capital, Ravenna, in 540. Belisarius went into retirement soon after repelling the Persian but was forced back in to fight the Bulgars in 559. -
Jan 1, 672
Early Islamic military campaigns into Byzantine territory
The first Arab siege on the Byzantine Empire occured from 672-673. The Arabs were defeated with the use of a new substance, Greek Fire. The Arabs returned for a second time in 717 and attacked the empire for 20 years before they were forced to retreat. On their return home, the Arab fleet was almost completely wiped out by enemies and nature. -
Jan 1, 1054
Great Schism
The great Schism was also known as the East-West Schism. It resulted in the creation of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. -
Nov 27, 1095
Emperor Alexios I Contacts Pope Urban II for military help in Middle East
Emperor Alexios II sends a message to Pope Urban II and ask for help to get rid of the Seljug Turks, Muslim invaders. Pope Urban agrees to send a crusade to Byzantine as its on its way to Jerusalem. -
Apr 1, 1204
Fourth Crusade (attack on Constantinople)
Alexios Angelus hires the crusaders to help reinstate his father as Emperor of Byzantine. However, Alexios is unable to pay them what they are due so the crusaders return and attack the city. Afterwards they divide the territory among themselves. -
May 29, 1453
Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks (official end to Byzantines)
The fall of Constantinople marked the end of the empire. The first time the Turks tried to get into the capital, they dug tunnels under it. But the Byzantines dug tunnels that joins the Turks' and they slaughtered them with Greek Fire and by sword. Planning for he final siege began on the 26th of May. The Turks finally attacked on the 29th and successfully entered the capital where they plundered and pillaged and destroyed the city for three days. -
Emperor Basil II military conquest of Bulgaria
The first time Emperor Basil II tried to conquest Bulgaria, he was met with a massive failiure. But he returned in 990 with a better plan. In total Basil spent 25 years trying to defeat the Bulgars. He was also known as "Basil, slayer of Bulgars" for all the carnage he caused. For example, in 1014, his army captured a Bulgar force of 14,000 men. Basil had all but one in one hundred blinded. Those men where left with one eye to be a guide for all the other men.
