History of the Byzantines

Emperor Constantine I Founded the Byzantine Capital

330

The Roman Emperor Constantine founded the city of Constantinople on the Greek village of Byzantine to be the new capital. It bwas a christain city, was easily defended, and had important trade locations.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns

527

General Belisarius was one of the generals of the Byzantine Empire. He served under Justinian and he put down the Nika uprising. He helped fight many battles for the Byzantine Empire.

Nika revolt (riots)

532

A riot the took place for over a week that was one of trhe most violent riots in Constantinoples history. Nearly half of the city was burned or destroyed and thousands of people where killed. This riot was caused by a conflict with chariot racing and anger about some of Justinians policies.

Hagia Sophia Completed

537

After the riots, Justinian launched a program to make Constantinople better than ever. This idea was to rebuild the church of Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia had a large arching dome, colored marble, and embriodered silk curtains.

Early Islamic military campaigns into Byzantine territory

Feb 17, 634

After Justinians reign as emperor the Byzantine empire fell and they withstood many attacks from surrounding areas. Some of the most feirce attacks came from the Arab armies that were carrying a new Islam religion. Eventually the Arab armies conquered the Byzantine provinces of Egypt and Syria before advancing on Constantinople, but they failed to conquer constantinople.

Emperor Basil II military conquests of Bulgaria

Feb 17, 986

The new emperor of the Byzantine Empire, Basil II attempted to conquer Bulgaria but failed. He tried again later and wore down King Samuel of Bulgaria. After 25 years of war, Bulgaria became part of the Byzantine empire.

Great Schism

Feb 17, 1054

The Great Schism was an event that divided Christianity into Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. The Byzantine Christain Church was changed to the Easthern Orthodox Church and in the west the church became knokwn as the Roman Catholic Church.

Emperor Alexios I contacts Pope Urban II for Military Help in Middle East

Feb 17, 1096

The Byzantine emperor, Alexius I, asked Pope Urban II for Christian knights to help him fight the Muslim Turks. And although Roman popes and Byzantine emperors were long time rivals, Urban II agreed to help. He agreed to help because he hoped to increase his power in Europe and heal the schism between the Roman and Byzantine churches.

Fourth Crusade

Feb 17, 1202

Pope Innocent III led the crusaders to attack the Egyptains. Venice helped them but they didn't get teh pay the Crusaders promised. So for payment, the Crusaders helped the Venetians capture and loot Constantinople.

Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks

Feb 17, 1453

The Byzantine empire continued to decline as it lost land and finally they were taken over by the Ottoman Turks who were led by Mehmet II.