History of the Byzantines

History of the Byzantines

Period: 300 to Jan 1, 1500

Emperor Constantine I Founded the Byzantine Capital

330

Emperor Constantine understood the strategic importance of the city of Byzantium becasue it was valuable to both Greeks and Romans due to its position on the Strait of Bosporus. Built the capital after he became sole emperor of all the territory.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns (Start)

520

General Belisarius was the leading military figure in the Byzantine Empire. He led imperial armies against Persia, North Africa, and Italy.

Nika revolts (riots)

532

The Nika revolts, or Nika riots, spanned the course of a week, and was the most violent riot in the history of Constantinople. Nearly half the city was burned or destroyed and tens of thousands of people were killed.

Hagia Sophia Completed

537

Instructed under the orders of Byzantine Emeror Justinian I it was the thrid church of the holy wisdom to be built on that site. The church contained a large collection of holy relics and was the focal point of the Eastern Orthodox for almost a thousand years.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns (End)

559

Early Islamic military campaigns into Byzantine territory

Jan 1, 633

There were multiple leaders including; Muhammad, Rashidun, and Umayyad. The conquests these people led resulted in the collapse of the Sassanid Empire and territorial loss for the Byzantine Empire including Mesopotamia, Persia, North Africa, etc.

Emperor Basil II military conquests of Bulgaria

Jan 1, 1018

In 986 30,000 men were led into Bulgaria and besiege sredets. In 1000 the Emperor was able to focus on a war of total conquest against Bulgaria. In 1014 The emperor was ready to launch a campaign aimed to end Bulgarian resistance.

Great Schism

Jan 1, 1054

Commonly known as the East-West Schism it refers to the break of communication between what are now the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches. In Constantinople all Latin Churches were closed so southern Italy forced churches to close or conform to Latin practice.

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

Jan 1, 1095

Emperoe Alexios I contacted Pope Urban II as part of the First Crusade. It was mainly a battle over the territory of Jerusalem and freeing Christans from muslim rule.

(Start) Fourth Crusade (attack on Constantinople)

Jan 1, 1202

20,000 men and a fleet of 200 ventian ship attacked constantinople. City was captured and the empire split off into small successor states. In it's place the crusader-led latin empire was founded.

(End) Fourth Crusade (attack on Constantinople)

Jan 1, 1204

(End)

Fall f Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks (official end to Byzantines)

Jan 1, 1453

The fight lasted 53 days. The capture of Constantinoploe was the offical end of the Byzantines. The conquest of Constantinople allowed Ottoman to advance into Europe without watching his back.