History of the Byzantine

Emperor Constantine/Founded Byzantine Capital

330

The capital city of Byzantine was founded by Constantine the Great. Emperor Constantine was the first emperor to claim to being Christian. The city was the largest and wealtiest in all of Europe.

Justinian Becomes Emperor of the Byzantines

527

His main goal during is reign was to regain the lost western half of the Roman Empire. He was known as the "last Roman". He used his general, Belisarius to win his battles.

Hagia Sophia Completed

537

The Haiga Sophia was built as a Greek Orthodox church. The church was dedicated to the Wisdom of god, the Logos, the second person of the Holy Trinity and the commemoration of the Birth and incarnation of Christ.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns

545

He was a major part of the success of Emperor Justinian's reign. He was sent all over to reign land such as Libya, Naple, Sicily and Rome. His battles were against the Vandals and the Goths.

Islamic Conquests Parts of the Byzantine Empire

Jan 1, 700

Muslim forces attacked the Byzantine empire when they were given false imformation that Byzantine forces were concentrating on northern Arbia. Major conflicts were the First and Second Arab Sieges of Constantinople.

Emperor Basil II military conquests up to the year 1025

Jan 1, 1025

Emperor Basil II's reign was based on expansion and consolidation of authority at home and abroad. The empire was spread from southern Italy to borders of Palestine.

Great Schism of 1054

Jan 1, 1054

One of the last events before the separation of the Eastern and Western Christian Churchs. This was the year that the excommunications by the Pope and the Patriarch brought sadness in church history.

Emperor Alexios I and Pope Urban II

Jan 1, 1095

Emperor Alexios I sent his ambassadors to Pope Urban II to get support from the West. He needed mercenary forces to help defeat the Seljuqs. At that time, the Seljuqs had conquered most of the Asia Minor.

Fourth Crusade (attack on Constantinople)

Jan 1, 1204

In the beginning it was meant to take control of Jerusalem, which was controlled by the Muslims. But instead the Crusaders the city of Constantinople. This was one of the final events in the decline of Christianity of the Near East.

End of the Byzantines

Jan 1, 1453

The capital of the empire, Constantinople was taken over by the Ottoman Empire. The leader of the Ottomans was Sultan Mehmed II. The Ottoman took over seven weeks to conquer the city. Losing the city was considered by some the end of the Middle Ages.