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At the beginning of the Byzantine empire Emperor Constantine crated a new capital for his “New Rome.” This new capital was called Constantinople.
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General Belisarius was a general chosen by Emperor Justinian to begin conquering the surrounding areas. Belisarius conquered much of Italy, North Africa, and Spain.
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The Nika revolts were revolts against emperor Justinian. The Nika revolts were the most violent riots in the city's history, with nearly half of Constantinople being burned or destroyed and tens of thousands of people killed
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Emperor Justinian wanted to create the greatest basilica in the Roman Empire so he ordered the construction of the Hagia Sophia meaning “Holy Wisdom.” This basilica was needed after the last one was destroyed in the Nika revolts.
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Muslim armies began their attacks on the Byzantine Empire by storming Syria. Later the Byzantine Empire loses most of their territory to Islamic forces.
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Basil became the emperor of Byzantium in 976. Basil won victories in many countries to double the territory of Byzantium. He is most known as the ‘Bulgar-Slayer’ for his victories in the Balkans.
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The Great Schism split Christianity into 2 divisions, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox. Today these are two of the largest denominations of Christianity.
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Alexios invited forces from the west to help fight the Ottoman Turks. This began the “Holy War” as it was called but what we now know as the crusades.
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Armies of the 4th crusade entered Constantinople. The armies conquered and looted Constantinople for the time.
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The sultan Murad II took privileges away from Byzantines and seiged Constantinople. Ottoman armies took control of Constantinople and the Hagia Sophia leading to the end of the Byzantine Empire.
