History of the Byzantines

History of the Byzantines

Period: 300 to Sep 15, 1500

Emperor Constantine I Founded Byzantine Capital

324

Roman Emporer Constatine I founded the city of Constantinople (named after himself) on the already existing city of Byzantine. It had a location meant for greatness, as it was surrounded by water on three sides, making invasions harder, and it was a huge trading center as it was half way between Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Nika Revolt

532

There was an intense rivalry between two chariot racing teams, the Blues and Greens. Members of the Blues and Greens were arrested for murder. They were all hanged but two escaped. Justinian declared that a race would be held, and that the sentences be pardoned to imprisonment. However the Blues and Greens wanted them to be pardoned entirely. At the race crowds were upset with Justinian and started to unite to attack the palace. The riot lasted 5 days and destroyed most of the city. 30,000 died.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns

533

Started campaigns to take back old Roman territory, conquered Northern Africa, Italy and nearby places.

Hagia Sophia Completed

537

Socrates claimed construction of the church began by Constantius II in 346. The Patriarch of Constantinople John Chrysostom starting fighting with Empress Aelia Eudoxia which caused a riot. During this riot the Hagua Sophia burned down. It was later rebuilt by Theodosis II.

Early Islamic military campaigns into Byzantine territory

Jan 1, 634

The Persians and Byzantines were tired of fighting each other, making it easy for the Arab-Muslims to come in and succeed in the Byzantine territory.

Emperor Basil II military conquests of Bulgaria

Jan 1, 970

Series of wars between Byzatine Empire and Bulgaria, after several wars and invasions the Byzantines took over the entire Bulkin peninsula. Lead to the collapse of the first Bulgarian Empire.

Great Schism

Jan 1, 1054

A variety of political, cultural and theological factors which transpired over centuries caused the seperation of Christians from the Eastern (Byzantine Empire) and Western people of the Medditerranean Sea. The churches then became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East, and the Roman Catholic Church in the West.

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

Nov 27, 1095

When the Seljuk Turks took control of Jeruselum, they banned all Christians. Later, the Turks threatened to take Constantinople. Byzantine Emperor Alexius I then made an appeal to Pope Urban II for help. This was good timing as Urban had been wanting to unite Christians to take back the Holy Land from the Turks. At the Council of Clermont in Frace, Urban delivered an incredible speech summoning people to stop in-fighting and take back Jerusalem, which start would start the first crusade.

Fourth Crusade

Jan 1, 1202

Pope Innocent III set out armies to conquer Jerusalem by invading Egypt. Venice lent ships in exchange for fighting to win back the Christian city Zara. After winning Zara for the Venetians, they were about to leave for Egypt when exiled Alexius Comnenus asked them to help bring him back to power in exchange for a considerable sum of money. They did, however Comnenus could not pay what he promised so the Crusaders and Venetians attacked Constantinople and sacked the city before returning home.

Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks

Apr 6, 1453

The Ottoman Emire, commanded by Mehmed the conquerer, invaded, and started a 53 day siege attempting and succeeding to conquer Constantinople. Sultan Mehmed II then made Constantinople the captial of the Ottoman Empire. Official end to Byzantine Empire.