History of the Byzantines

By zloredohollon
  • 330

    Emperor Constantine Founded the Byzantine Capital

    Constantine renamed the former city of Byzantium after himself, Constantinople. He later made this city the captial of the empire. Constantinople became the wealthiest and the biggest city.
  • Period: 330 to Jan 1, 1453

    Byzantine Timeline

  • 527

    Justinian Becomes Emperor of the Byzantines

    From 527 to 565 A.D. Justinian was ruler of the Byzantine empire. One of his great achievements was rebuilding the Hagia Sophia. He formed the "Body of Civil Law", also known as Justinian's Code.
  • 537

    Hagia Sophia Completed

    Hagia Sophia Completed
    The church was once destroyed in riots, and under Emperor Justinian's command the re-construction of the church began in 532. The inside of the church is greatly decorated and the dome was from Roman influence.
  • 545

    General Belisarius Military Campaigns

    General Belisarius Military Campaigns
    Belisarius was a general during Emperor Justinian's rule. The general played a large role in Justinian's plan to reconquer parts of the Mediterranean empire.
  • Jan 1, 700

    Islamic Conquests Parts of the Byzantine Territory

    Parts of the Byzantine Empire were taken over by Islamic armies. The economy was affected by war and the taken territories, but the city of Constantinople was still a center for trade.
  • Jan 1, 1025

    Emperor Basil II Military Conquests up to 1025

    Basil II was one of the emperors to help Byzantine military reach its highest point. During his rule, he expanded the empire in Bulgaria, Mesopotamie, Armenia, and Georgia.
  • Jan 1, 1054

    Great Schism

    Great Schism
    The "East-West Schism" was the division between the Eastern Orthodox and Western Roman churches.
  • Jan 1, 1095

    Emperor Alexios I and Pope Urban II

    Emperor Alexios was seeking military help, to stop the invasion of the Seljuq Turks. Thus began the First Crusade.
  • Jan 1, 1204

    Fourth Crusade

    Knights, persuaded by Venetian merchants, attacked Constantinople. The city was taken over, pillaged, and burned. After this, Constantinople never fully recovered.
  • Jan 1, 1453

    End of the Byzantines

    End of the Byzantines
    The fall of Constantinople pronounced the end of the Byzantine Empire. After a time of being surrounded and outnumbered by the Ottomans, the Byzantine empire fell.