History of the Byzantines

History of the Byzantines

Period: 300 to 1500

Emperor Constantine I Founded the Byzantine Capital

330

Constantine became Emperor after a civil war and dictated a New Rome. He allowed Christians the freedom of worship in the Empire and defeated Licinius and reunited both sides of the Empire. Also he then renamed the capital to Constantinople.

Nika Revolt

532

The Nika Revolt took place against Emperor Justinian I in Constantinople. They were the most violent riots in this towns history, with nearly half of Constantinople being burned or destroyed. Also tens of thousands of people were killed.

Hagia Sophia Completed

537

The Hagia Sophia is also known as the Church of Holy Wisdom or the Church of the Divine Wisdom. The building of Hagia Sophia was directed by Justinian I. There has been many attempts of building the Hagia Sophia and staying up and undamaged until Justinian I was the first longing success.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns

559

General Belisarius led his army to many victories which made him a great leader in both military and the city. His town always backed him up with his ideas with everything and he was also teaching others how to become a good leader through his military skills.

Early Islamic Military Campaigns into Byzantine Territories

622

Muhammad created a new campaign which caused the collapse of the Sassanid Empire and was the cause of the territorial loss of the Byzantine Empire. Because of this some Jews and Christians were dissatisfied and welcomed into the Muslim forces.

Emperor Basil II Military Conquests of Bulgaria

1014

The military created a campaign aimed at destroying Bulgaria's resistance. Their army was defeated and about 15,000 of their prisoners were captured. Basil always showed he that he was capable to be administrator by reducing the power of the great land.

The Great Schism

1054

The Great Schism was a break of communication between the Roman Catholic Churches and the Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Emperor Alexios I Contacts Pope Urban II

1095

Pope Urban II made an important announcement by calling all Christians in Europe to war against the Muslims in order to reclaim the Holy Land which is now known as the Middle East. After the Pope stated this speech the first crusade occurred. Alexios contacted the Pope because he wanted to help them out so they could be more successful and expect a better outcome.

Fourth Crusade

1204

Mutinous Crusader captured and destroyed parts of Constantinople. After the attack most of the Byzantine Empire's territories were divided up among the Crusaders and the Byzantine aristocrats split up into many splinter states. This attack caused the Catholic and Orthodox churches to be wounded and would not be repaired until modern times. Also the Empire was left much poorer, smaller, and less able to defend themselves in future Turkish conquests that followed the attack.

Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks

1453

Constantinople was captured by and invading army of the Ottoman Empire. After this attack this marked the end of the Byzantine Empire. Also the capital of the ottoman empire was transferred from Edirne to Constantinople. For some historians, this date also not only marks the end of the Byzantine Empire, but also the end of the Middle Ages.