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Byzantine Emperors

  • 280

    Constantine

    Constantine
    Constantine was born on February 27, after 280 CE in Naissus, Moesia and died May 22, 337, Ancyrona, near Nicomedia, Bithynia
  • Period: 306 to 337

    Constantine the Great

    Constantine the Great ruled
  • 312

    Vision (Constantine)

    Vision (Constantine)
    When he was going to fight, he saw a sign which is a cross and pi sign with the first two letters of Christ's name. He also claims to have heard a voice saying: "By this sign he will conquer"
  • 312

    Battle of the Milvian Bridge (Constantine)

    Battle of the Milvian Bridge (Constantine)
    Constantine in alliance with Licinius defeated Maxtentius at the Milvian Bridge, over the Tiber River, when Maxtentius drowned.
  • 313

    Edict of Milan (Constantine)

    Edict of Milan (Constantine)
    Constantine and Licinius proclaimed toleration to all religions in the empire, even though it didn't last long.
  • 347

    Theodosius

    Theodosius
    Theodosius was born on January 11, 347 CE in Cauca, Gallaecia and died January 17, 395 in Mediolanum
  • Period: 379 to 395

    Theodosius I

    Theodosius I ruled
  • 380

    Faith Prescription (Theodosius)

    Faith Prescription (Theodosius)
    Without consulting the ecclesiastical authorities, he issued an official order prescribing a creed in order to include all individuals.
  • 382

    Gothic War (Theodosius)

    Gothic War (Theodosius)
    The Gothic War took place between 376-382.
  • 387

    Civil War (Theodosius)

    Civil War (Theodosius)
    Theodosius I successively defeated the usurper Magnus Maximus. Theodosius saw himself obligated to fight against Magnus Maximus, since he murdered Gratian and proclaimed himself emperor of the west.
  • 483

    Justinian

    Justinian
    Justinian was born in 483 in Tauresium, Dardania and died November 14, 565 in Constantinople
  • Period: 527 to 565

    Justinian the Great

    Justinian the Great ruled
  • 532

    Nika Riots (Justinian)

    Nika Riots (Justinian)
    The populace was angry over the raise of taxes. Justinian told people to gather in the Hippodrome to passively talk about it, but he shut the gate and the soldiers killed everyone in the Hippodrome.
  • 537

    Hagia Sophia (Justinian)

    Hagia Sophia (Justinian)
    The Hagia Sophia was a christian church built in 6 years. It was built so that Justinian could demonstrate he is a strong emperor, even after the Nika Riots.
  • 541

    Plague of Justinian

    Plague of Justinian
    It was one of the deadliest plagues in history, caused by pests. Justinian claimed that it was a sign from the gods against him.
  • 575

    Heraclius

    Heraclius
    Heraclius was born on 575 in Cappadocia and died February 11, 641 in Constantinople
  • Period: 610 to 641

    Heraclius I

    Heraclius I ruled
  • 620

    Empire's Language (Heraclius)

    Empire's Language (Heraclius)
    In 620 CE, Heraclius changed the official language of the empire from latin to greek
  • 622

    Monothelitism (Heraclius)

    Monothelitism (Heraclius)
    He tried to promote Monothelitism, a teaching in which the divine and human relate in the person of Jesus.
  • 629

    True Cross (Heraclius)

    True Cross (Heraclius)
    Heraclius returned the True Cross, which is one of the most important relics for Christianity, to Jerusalem
  • 752

    Irene

    Irene
    Irene was born on 752 in Athens and died August 9, 803 in Lesbos
  • 784

    End of Iconoclasm (Irene)

    End of Iconoclasm (Irene)
    Irene ended with iconoclasm, which is the destruction of religious images or paintings
  • 797

    First Empress (Irene)

    First Empress (Irene)
    Irene of Athens was the first empress of the Byzantine Empire
  • Period: 797 to 802

    Irene of Athens

    Irene of Athens also known as Irene Sarantapechaina ruled. She also ruled as empress consort from 775 to 780, and empress dowager and regent from 780 to 797
  • 802

    Banishment (Irene)

    Banishment (Irene)
    Irene was banished, after she tried to negotiate a marriage with Charlemagne, so patricians conspired against her and she was banished
  • 957

    Basil

    Basil
    Basil was born on 957/958 and died December 15, 1025
  • Period: 976 to 1025

    Basil II

    Basil II ruled
  • 978

    Zoe

    Zoe
    Zoe was born on 978 in Constantinople and died on 1050 in Constantinople
  • 979

    Rebellion of Bardas Skleros (Basil)

    Rebellion of Bardas Skleros (Basil)
    Basil II had to cancel a rebellion led by the aristocrat Bardas Skleros, a general who continued in the privileged position he had enjoyed under previous emperors.
  • 980

    Theodora

    Theodora
    She was born on 980 and died August 31, 1056
  • 986

    Slayer of the Bulgars (Basil)

    Slayer of the Bulgars (Basil)
    From 986 until 1014 there was warfare between Byzantium and Bulgaria.Year by year he slowly advanced into Tsar Samuel’s territory. Finally, he advanced toward Samuel’s capital and won when he left one eye to each 100th soldier
  • 995

    Virgin to Battle (Basil)

    Virgin to Battle (Basil)
    Basil was a peaceful man and is known for carrying a statue of the Virgin to Battle. There are many battle where he carried Mary the Virgin. (995: War in Syria - example)
  • Period: 1028 to 1050

    Zoe

    Empress Zoe ruled
  • 1034

    Banishment (Zoe)

    Banishment (Zoe)
    Michael IV the Paphlagonian banished Zoe to a monastery, at her age of 56
  • 1042

    Mosque (Zoe)

    Mosque (Zoe)
    Zoe turned the Hagia Sophia into a mosque
  • 1042

    Co-empress with Zoe (Theodora)

    Co-empress with Zoe (Theodora)
    Theodora and Zoe were sisters and they always fought for power. Zoe adopted a child to raise to power. In 1042, Theodora was made co-empress
  • Period: 1042 to 1056

    Theodora Porphyrogenita

    Empress Theodora Porphyrogenita ruled
  • 1050

    Opposition (Theodora)

    Opposition (Theodora)
    After her sister's death in 1050, she was fierce enough to oppose court officials and military. Theodora was a strong empress, but shortly after, she became ill and died