Byzantine Empire

Emperor Constantine I Founded the Byzantine Capital

330

Roman Emperor Constantine I chose an ancient Greek colony, Byzantium, as the site of a “New Rome”. He named the capital city Constantinople, after himself.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns

532

Belisarius was appointed to command at age 25, and began a long career of military campaigns. He was the leading military figure during the Byzantine era. He conquered Persia and Dara, commanded the troops that ended the Nika Insurrection in Constantinople, reclaimed the western Roman territories from the Germanic people, conquered North Africa, and reclaimed Italy from the Ostrogoths. He was loyal to Emperor Justinian I, even when the emperor lost faith in his abilities.

Nika Revolt

532

Nika!, or Victory, was the cry of the rioters in the Hippodrome on January 13, 532. The rioters began chanting "NIka! Nika!" in opposition to emperor Justinian who refused to show mercy on two prisoners. The mob took to the streets of Constantinople, stormed the jail, released the prisoners, and set the building on fire. The mob called for a new emperor, but Constantine stood firm and after 7 days and over 30,000 people were dead, the riot was squelched by Belisarius.

Hagia Sophia Completed

537

The Hagia Sophia was also called Church of the Holy Wisdom. It was a cathedral built in Constantinople in the span of six years between 532-537. It was built under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. It was the center of religious, political, and artistic life during the Byzantine era and is considered to be one of the world’s great monuments.

Early Islamic Military Campaigns into Byzantine Territory

622

In 622, Islam was founded in Mecca by the prophet Muhammad. From this arose a serious threat to the Byzantine empire. In 634, Muslim armies began their assault on the Byzantine Empire by storming into Syria. Over the next 65 years the two powers battled over Syria, the Holy Land, Egypt, North Africa, and other territories. By the end of the century, the Byzantine empire ultimately fell to Islamic forces.

Emperor Basil II Military Conquests of Bulgaria

986

Emperor Basil II was known for his ruthlessness and tenacity in his goal of consolidating imperial authority. He is most well known for his persistence in battling Bulgarian czar Samuel from 986 until 1014, when he was finally successful in conquering Samuel's troops. He celebrated by blinding nearly all the soldiers and sending them back to the czar, who died of shock at the sight of them.

Great Schism

Jul 16, 1054

On July 16, 1054, the Patriarch of Constantinople Michael Cerularius was excommunicated from the Christian Church of Rome. This resulted in the “Great Schism” of Chalcedonian Christianity. The Great Schism created the two largest denominations in Christianity, the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox faiths.

Emperor Alexius I contacts Pope Urban II

1095

Emperor Alexius I turned to Pope Urban II for help when the Seijul Turks of Central Asia were bearing down on Constantinople. This resulted in the declaration of the first “holy war” by Pope Urban II at Clermont, France. This began the first crusade against the Muslims.

The Fourth Crusade

1204

The fourth crusade was caused by the feuding between Byzantium and the West The Crusaders viewed Alexius as betraying their alliance. Animosity continued to build during the fourth crusade until the looting and conquest of Constantinople in 1204.

Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks

May 29, 1453

Under the rule of the Palaiologan emperors after 1261, the Byzantine era lost its mighty stature and it could not be regained. Murad laid siege to Constantinople and the emperor lost power to the Turks. Mehmed II, completed this process when he launched the final attack on May 29, 1453, after an Ottoman army stormed Constantinople. The fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire. Emperor Constantine XI died in battle and the empire collapsed to the reign of the Ottoman Empire.