History of the Byzantine

Byzantine Timeline

Period: 300 to Jan 1, 1500

Emperor Constantine I Founded the Byzantine Capital

330

In 330 Roman Emperor Constantine chose the area of Byzantium as a location for a new empire. This new empire was to be considered "New Rome" where the capital city is Constantinople. Five years before this Constantine had established Christianity as Rome's official religion, so this new city will have Christianity as the official religion.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns

530

General Belisarius Military Campaigns took him on a journey of expanding territory for the Byzantine empire. At the start he was a body guard for the emperor, but was recognized as a brave leader and was moved up commander. He won many battles throughout his brigade, beating many smaller forces such as the vandals along the way. He was allowed a large house and many profits, but when the emperor needed him he was called back into duty to serve more time for the Byzantines.

Nika revolt

532

Three days before the Nika riot members of the Blue and Green factions were arrested. They were set to be hanged, but the execution was botched and two of the men survived. They found a church and it was put under guard while the crowd called for Justinian to show them mercy. The two forced demanded that the city released the prisoners, when he denied them, they set the Preatorium on fire. Many more were set until they finally burned down the Hippodrome.

Hagia Sophia Completed

537

Hagia Sophia also called the Church of Holy Wisdom. The building was unusual for the period in which it was built. The building combines a large main dome with two semi domes on either sides. The church had been built before, but had been damaged in a fire, but when the rebuild was finally finished is the Hagia Sophia that stands today.

Early Islamic military campaigns into Byzantine territory

Jan 1, 636

The Islamic Military Campaigns were a leading factory to the rapid decline of the Byzantine empire. The Battle of Yarmuk was a six day battle were the Byzantine forces largely outnumbered the Arab forces. Yet the Arab forces were able to defeat many of the Byzantine forces which led to the loss of Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and portions of Mesopotamia.

Emperor Basil II military conquests of Bulgaria

Aug 1, 986

Basil II first expedition was most defiantly his worst. He suffered a major loss to the forces of Samuel of Bulgaria. It happened in a Bulgarian mountain pass known as Trajan's Gate. The emperor's army had already been weakened trying to siege the capital Serdica. His army was wiped out and he was forced to flee back to Constantinople, where he would have to wait 28 years to get revenge.

Great Schism

Jan 1, 1054

This is the event in history that precipitated the final separation between the Eastern christian churches form the western church. This Schism was not lifted until 1965 when the pope and the patriarch decided to revoke the excommunication. The reason for this schism is that the western part was rooted in the Roman ways while the eastern was rooted in the Greek philosophy. There were many other misunderstandings that lead to the separation.

Emperor Alexius I contacts Pope Urban II

Nov 27, 1095

Around the 11th century the holy land was a point of conflict for European Christians.The Seljuk Turks took control of Jerusalem, and the Christians were kept from the holy city. The Turks threatened to invade the Byzantine Empire and take Constantinople. The Emperor Alexius I contacted Pope Urban for help with an appeal. Pope Urban saw this as an opportunity to unite Christian Europe under himself while they fought the Turks for the holy land.

Fourth Crusade

Jul 17, 1203

The Fourth Crusade was the event where 200 ships came from Venice to attack the town of Constantinople. The goal of this crusade was to take back the holy town of Jerusalem.Constantinople's fleet was weakened due to the fact that the emperor's brother in-law sold the fleet and took all the money for himself. As a military operation, the Fourth Crusade stands out as history's great ambitious assaults.

Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks

May 29, 1453

The fall of Constantinople sent shock waves through the region. When Mehmed II set out to take down the city of Constantinople, the city was nothing like it had been before. Previous attacks left the city weakened and it's military force numbered to almost 8,000. On May 29 Mehmed launched simultaneous attacks from the sea and land, he attacked from all sides and overcame the borders. They killed the emperor and ended the city of Constantinople.