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Period: 300 to Jan 1, 1500
Byzantine Timeline
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330
Constantinople is founded
A Roman emperor named Constantine rebuilt the Greek city of Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople. It became the capital fo the Byzantine empire. It had an excellent harbor and was guarded on three sides by water. It was also commanded key trade routes. -
532
Nika Revolt
It was the most violent riot in the history of Constantinople. During the riots over half of the city was burned or destroyed. More then ten thousand people perished in the riots. -
Period: 533 to 544
General Belisarius Military Campaigns
General Belisarius was a high ranked military officer during the Nika riots suppressed the rebellion. His first campaign was against the Vandals in Northern Africa. He then restored much of Western Europe into Byzantine control. -
537
Hagia Sophia Completed
Justinian decides to restore Roman glory after roits and fires. His main triumph is when he completes the building of a church, the Hagia Sophia. It has an immense arching dome. Its interior glowed with marble and embroidered silk curtains. -
Period: Jan 1, 622 to Jan 1, 750
Early Islamic military campaigns into Byzantine territory
The Muslims defeated the Sassanid Empire and took over a large portion of the Byzantine Empire. They had been weakened from fighting each other for years. Some of the people who were captured allied with them but some refused to. -
Jan 1, 1054
Great Schism
The Great Schism was a splitting of the chruch in 1054. It split East and West. They discrepancies occured mainly becuase of the Greek verses the Roman origins. -
Jan 1, 1095
Emperor Alexios I contacts Pope Urban II
The Byzantine empire was being attacked by Turks. Alexios I knew he could not stop them alone. He asked Pope Urban II to send military help. It worked and they defended against the Turks. -
Jan 1, 1204
Fourth Crusade (Attack on Constantinople)
During the Fourth Crusade, the crusaders fought other Christains instead of Muslims. The crusaders then helped Venice defeat their Byzantine trade rivals in 1204. After that the crusaders captured and looted Constantinople, the Byzantine capital. -
Jan 1, 1453
Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks (official end to Byzantines)
The Ottoman Turks commanded by Mehmed II took over Constantinople after a 53 day seige. It marked the end of the Roman empire in Europe. -
Period: to Jan 2, 1018
Emperor Basil II military conquests of Bulgaria
Basil II sought to restore the empire. He fought against Samuel the leader of Bulgaria and eventually he came out the victor.
