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324
The Capital Moves
Emporer Constantine changes the capital of Eastern Rome from Nicodemius. on Asia Minor, to Bosphorus in Europe. The name soon adapted to "The City of Constantine" later adopting the name Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. -
376
Western Rome Falls
Western Rome falls and Eastern Rome offically gains the name of the Byzantine Empire. -
526
Justinian's Rule Begins
All preceding emperors of Justinian had tried to reach the goal of restoring Rome with power and glory. Justinian succeeded with thiis goal by reconquering previous territories of Western Rome, and establishing the Justinian Code. -
532
Nika Revolt
The Nika Revolts were a series of rebbellions that tested the strength of the ruling government. Belisarius the general of the lead the trrops to the defeat the Nika Revolt. -
537
Hagia Sophia is Completed
After the order for construction in 532 by Justinian, the magnificent church was built in 537. The unprecedented dome on top of a rectangle was constructed in Constantinople. -
565
Justinian's Reign Ends
Justinian revived the Byzantine Empire. During his reign he conguered a great deal of the former Eastern Roman Empire and contributed many great ideas and conquests back to the Byzantine Empire. He ruled from 526 A.D.- 565 A.D. -
Jan 1, 726
Iconoclastic Controversy
In 726 Emporer Leo iii, an iconoclast, ordered the destruction of all icons. Icons were religious pictures of Jesus, the Virgin Mary of the Saints. Many icons were held in homes and churches and were religiously worshipped. Iconoclasts felt that worshipping icons was the same as worshipping idols, which they felt was wrong. -
Jan 1, 1000
Seljuq Turks Conquer Asia Minor
The Seljuq Turks were a nomadic people from central Asia. They captured much of Asia Minor during the 1000s. This region was especially crucial for food supplies and soldiers for the empire. Then the Turks prepare to conquer Constantinople. -
Jan 9, 1096
The West Helps
From 1096-1099 the Turks attempt to conquer and seize Constantinople. The /byzantine Empire asks the Western forces for help defending agaisnt the Turks. By 1099 all of Asia Minor has been returned to The Byzantine Empire. -
Jan 9, 1204
Western Forces Turn Around
The western forces that helped defend The Byzantine turn against The Byzantine and conquer Constantinople. -
Jan 9, 1261
Recapture Constantinople
The Byzantines regain control of their former capital, Constantinople. The empire is not as stong as before and will never regain its former strength. -
Jan 9, 1453
The Fall
The Ottoman Turks Empire had been growing througout the 1300s. It began to threaten and attack Byzantine territory. The Byzantine was still not fully recovered from its previous capture/recapture of Constantinople. In 1453 the Ottomans seized Constantinople, which was unable to put up a steady fight. The Byzantine Empire ended in 1453. -
Rome Splits
In 285 Emporer Diocletian splits the great Roman Empire into two vertically, inventing West Rome and East Rome (soon to be the Byzantine Empire.) Diocletian wanted to distribute the administration of power so Rome would be easier to rule. -
Christian Church Splits
In 787 the pope in Rome met with the Christian council and decided that not allowing icons would lead to the excommunication from the church of the iconoclasts. This led to a lot of religious controversy and led to the result of the Christian church splitting. Western Rome became Roman Catholic and the Eastern Empire (the Byzantine Empire) became Greek Orthodox. -
Icons are Restored
The use of icons is now restored. although statues were still banned worshipping of icons as long as they were not portrayed as God was allowed. Even today the worship of icons in the Greek Orthodox religion is a prominant tradition. -
Basil ii
Basil ii becomes emporer in 976 and over the span of 20 years he conquers Syria from the Muslims and Greece from the Bulgars. -
Period: to Jan 8, 1500
The Byzantine Empire
