History of the Byzantine

The history of the Byzantines

Period: 300 to Apr 6, 1500

Emperor Constantine I founded the Byzantine Capital

330

Constantinople was founded by emperor Constantine so that the emperor of the land could be protected from the military bases, but also close to the frontier of traders and military's.

Nika Revolts

532

The Nika revolts was a week long revolt against Emperor Justinain. It was the most destructive revolt in the history of Constantinople, with nearly half of the city burned down or destroyed, and almost 10,000 deaths

General Belisarius Military campaigns

533

General Belisarius lead many military campaigns from 533 A.D.- 559 A.D. The goal of the campaigns, were to reconquer as much land as the Roman empire had, before the Roman empire had ended.

Hagia Sophia Completed

537

The Hagia Sophia was a Greek Orthodox church built on the command of emperor Justinian I. It was later turned into an Imperial Mosque.

Emperor Basil II military conquests of Bulgaria

Jul 9, 1018

After gaining the status of emperor Basil II had his men march into Bulgaria. He later decided to turn back, which lead to the Battle of the Gates of Trajan. Years later he brought his men back to Bulgaria and after many years the Bulgars surrendered.

Great Schism

Feb 9, 1054

The break of communion between the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches. It lasted until the 11thh century

Emperor Alexios I contacts Pope Urban II for military help in the Middle East

Nov 27, 1095

Emperor contacts Pope Urban, asking for volunteers to help aid in the efforts to capture the Holy land. The same day Pope Urban gave a speech talking about how the Christians need to take the Holy Land back.

Early Islamic military campaigns into Byzantine territory

Feb 9, 1180

From 780-1180 the Islamic army battled the Byzantine empire in 5 different regions. The two army's battled for supremacy in the Eastern Mediterranean. After years of fighting the Byzantine empire won, and then set to re-conquer the land.

The Fourth Crusade

Apr 7, 1204

The leader of the crusades learned they would not be getting paid, so they stopped the crusades. Once they learned of the death of Alexios, the crusaders enter the city, looting and destroying the town.

The Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks

Apr 6, 1453

The fall of Constantinople was the end of the Byzantine empire. It was a 53 day siege on the city. After the siege it gave the Muslim Ottomans the chance to travel to Europe without being stopped.