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Period: 300 to Jan 1, 1500
Timeline of the Byzantine Empire
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330
Emperor Constantine I Founded the Byzantine Capital
Because of pressure from the west, the Romans shifted east and rebuilt the city of Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople. Later on the eastern region of the Roman Empire would be know as the Byzantine Empire. -
532
The Nika Revolt
The riots at the Hippodrome were caused by two men escaping after they were scheduled to be hung. The rioters wanted Justinian to show them mercy and pardon them but Justinian refused, the riots ended in a massacre of thousands of protestors. -
532
Hagia Sophia Completed
To restore Roman glory after the riots, Justinian built the Hagia Sophia. A church with a giant arching dome at the top that improved upon earlier Roman buildings. -
533
General Belisarius Military Campaigns
General Belisarius helped out in the Nika riots proving himself and becoming Justinian's right hand man when it came to military. In 533 A.D. he was sent to Africa to reclaim the provinces from the Vandal Kingdom and succeeded in about a year. -
Jan 1, 634
Early Islamic Military Campaigns into Byzantine Territory
In 634 A.D. Islamic forces started to fight their way into the Byzantine Empire. They conquered Syria, the Holy Land, Egypt, and North Africa. -
Jan 1, 986
Emperor Basil II Military Conquests of Bulgaria
Emperor Basil helped the Byzantines take over Bulgaria city by city. When he took over the capital, Ochrida, he not only killed a lot of men, he also blinded all who he didn't kill. -
Jan 1, 1054
The Great Schism
In 1054 the eastern and western christianity completely split causing there to become two different churches. The church in the east became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church. While the church in the west became known as the Roman Catholic Church. -
Jan 1, 1095
Emperor Alexius I contacts Pope Urban II for Military Help in Middle East
in 1095 A.D. Emperor Alexius I asked Pope Urban II for Christian Knights to help defend the Byzantine's territory. Pope Urban II agreed to give Alexius the troops despite years of bitter rivalry. -
Jan 1, 1204
The Fourth Crusade
After helping merchants from the northern Italian city of Venice defeat their Byzantine trade rivals, crusaders captured and looted Constantinople. Which kicked of the fall of the Byzantine Empire. -
Jan 1, 1453
The Fall of the Byzantine Empire
After being severely weakened by the Fourth Crusade that left the city a wreck. Mehmet II and the Ottoman Turks took over the city.
