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Period: 300 to Jan 1, 1500
Years (AD)
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330
Emperor Constantine I Founded the Byzantine Capital
Constantine I is known as the founder of the Byzantine Empire. He did two things that helped create the empire. 1st he legalized Christianity and also converted to Christianity and sponsored it. The 2nd great thing he did was moving the capital of the Roman Empire to the city Byzantium. He renamed the city after himself calling it Constantinople. This is usually reffered to the beginning of the Byzantine Empire. -
527
Justinian Becomes Emporer of the Byzantines
When Justinian became the new ruler of Constantinople he wanted to retake the Western Roman Empire and expand into a united empire from Constantinople. He sent his general Belisarius to Africa, Italy, and Spain to conquer all and take Rome back. After this, his citizens are angered and start 2 Nika riots to burn down most of the city. Then Justinian was set to rebuild the city a lot nicer. -
533
General Belisarius Military Campaign
Flavius Belisarius was the general of The Byzantine Empire. He was the key to Justinians plan to takeover pretty much the whole Mediterranean territory again. He started his campaign in 533 against the Vandal Kingdom. For 2 years, he and his army fought in many battles but in 535 a new war was just to begin. Justinian sent him to attack the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy. This war lasted until 545 in a truce. -
537
Hagia Sophia Completed
The Hagia Sophia known as "Holy Wisdom" was built in the year 537 served as an Eastern Orthodox Cathederal. The church took 5 years to build and is dedicated to the "wisdom of God". -
Jan 1, 600
Islamic conquests parts of Byzantine Territory
In 602 war broke out with the Persians and Persian army eventually broke through the Byzantine eastern defenses, and conquered Syria and Palestine. In 614 the Persians defeated the holy city of Jerusalem and Egypt. Emperor Heraclius came to the throne in 610, He took control of the military,and defeated the Persians. Then the Arabs attacked the Byzantines in a holy war and almost won but then the Byzantines found "Greek Fire" to save themselves. -
Jan 1, 1025
Emperor Basil II military conquests
Emperor Basil was known as a great emperor and didn't like learning. Basil also tried to retake territories the Empire had lost long before. -
Jan 1, 1054
Great Schism
The East-West Schism was the break of communion between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. -
Nov 27, 1095
Emporer Alexios I and Pope Urban II
On November 27, 1095, Pope Urban II makes perhaps the most influential speech of the Middle Ages, giving rise to the Crusades by calling all Christians in Europe to war against Muslims in order to reclaim the Holy Land, launching the first crusade. -
Jan 1, 1204
The Fourth Crusade (Attack on Constantinople)
The Fourth Crusade was originally intended to take over Jerusalem by invasion through Egypt. Instead the Crusaders of Western Europe invaded and demolished the Orthodox Christian city of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. This was the key turning point in the decline of the Byzantine Empire. -
May 29, 1453
End of the Byzantines
The Fall of Constantinople was the capture of the capital of the Byzantine Empire by an invading army of the Ottoman Empire on Tuesday, 29 May 1453. The Ottomans were commanded by 21-year-old Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, who defeated an army commanded by Byzantine Emperor Constantine. The conquest of Constantinople followed a seven-week siege. The capture of Constantinople marked the end of the Roman Empire,which had lasted for nearly 1,500 years.
