History of the Byzantines

Emperor Constantine l Founded the Byzantine Capital

324

Emperor Constantine l thought that Rome was an unsatisfactory capital because it was too far from the frontiers. Constantine identified the site of Byzantium as the right place for the capital because it was close to both the Danube and Euphrates frontiers. He renamed it Constantinople.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns

527

Belisarius became the new emperor known as Justinian II after the death of Justin I. He had many successful military conquests but also some unsuccessful ones. He received a Roman Triumph in 533 for reclaiming the African provinces from the Vandal Kingdom.

Nika Revolt

532

The Nika Revolt was a devastating riot that took place in Constantinople. The people from the Byzantine Empire revolted against Emperor Justinian because they didn't like how he was ruling the empire.

Hagia Sophia Completed

532

Riots and devastating fire caused many lives to be lost and many buildings to be destroyed. Justinian launched a program to restore Roman glory and rebuild the Church of the Hagia Sophia which means "Holy Wisdom." It had arching domes which improved on earlier Roman architecture.

Early Islamic Military Campaigns

Feb 9, 635

The early Islamic military campaigns were a series of wars between Arab Muslims and the Byzantine Empire. The Muslims launched many raids against the Byzantine Empire. They also attacked the Byzantine capital twice. The situation didn't stabilize until around 718 but even then the wars weren't over.

Emperor Basil II Conquests of Bulgaria

Feb 9, 980

Basil II sought to restore territories the Byzantine Empire lost before. His greatest conquest was the conquest of Bulgaria. After many years of war and a long struggle Emperor Basil II finally dominated Bulgaria.

Great Schism

Jan 7, 1054

The Great Schism was when the Roman Empire split into the Roman Catholics Church in the west and the Eastern Orthodox church. The Roman Catholic Church was led by a Pope.

First Crusade

Feb 7, 1095

Emperor Alexios I asked Pope Urban II for help regaining the Holy Land. It had been taken over by the Muslims. Pope Urban II convinced all of the Christians to go to war against the Muslims.

Fourth Crusade

Feb 7, 1202

The fourth crusade was an attack on Constantinople ordered by Pope Innocent III. The original goal of this attack was to conquer Muslim-controlled Jerusalem by invasion through Egypt. Instead, the Crusaders of Western Europe invaded and attacked Constantinople. It is seen as a turning point in the decline of the Byzantine Empire and of Christianity.

Fall of Constantinople

Feb 9, 1453

The fall of Constantinople was the capture of the capital of the Byzantine Empire by the invading army of the Ottowan Empire led by Mehmed II. The Ottowan Turks defeated the Byzantine Army which marked the end of the Roman Empire after it had lasted 1,500 years.