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330
Emperor Constantine I Founded the Byzantine Empire
Emperor Constantine I founded the Byzantine Capital and named it Constantinople. This city was dedicated and named after him and the largest and wealthiest European Cuty during this time, Emperor Constantine I had the city divided into 14 different regions. This city did not have any praetors or tribunes, but they did have Senators that were known as a "Clarus". Because of the size of this city, it lacked administration offices that regulated food supply, police, public works, etc. -
527
Justinian Becomes Emperor of the Byzantines
In 527 AD, Justinian's reign begins. He immediately reconquers parts of fallen Western Europe known as Italy, Spain, and Africa. Justinian also changes previous Roman laws into one document. The population of Constantinople stands at about 500,000 people. Justinian is also the final emperor to use the title "Caesar". -
Period: 533 to 545
General Belisarius Military Campaigns
Flavius Belisarius is rewarded by Justinian as General for the land and sea expedition against the Vandal Kingdom. He sailed his men to Africa and marched along the coastal highway toward Carthage in 533. This march ended in Roman disaster. The recovery of Italy from Ostrogoths begins in 535. Belisarius is stripped of command on charges of disloyalty, but is then reassigned in command in 544. -
537
Hagia Sophia
The construction of the Hagia Sophia begins. Hagia Sophia is translated as "Holy Wisdom". After 5 years and 10 months of being constructed, the Hagia Sophia is completed. It was well known as the Eastern or the Greek Orthodox. The Hagia Sophia was dedicated to the Wisdom of God, the "Logos'. This church mainly served as an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral and seat of Patriachate of Constantinople. -
Period: Jan 1, 600 to Jan 1, 700
Islamic Conquests Parts of the Byzantine Territory
Constantinople is known as the largest city of the early midieval Europe. During this time span, Constantinople withstood attacks by the Avars & the Persians. Hercalius's successors managed to salvage what was left of Constantinople. Armies of Bulgars and Slavs defeat the Byzantines, who were forced to sign a peace treaty which acknowledged establishment of First Bulgarian Empire. -
Jan 1, 1025
Emperor Basil II Military Conquests up to the year 1025
Emperor Basil II extended imperial rule in the Balkans, Mesopotamia, Georgia, and Armenia. This then increased the authority by attacking powerful landed interests of aristocracy (military) and of the church. Emperor Basil II is known to be one of the most outstanding Byzantine Emperors. The main fields of external conflict were Syria, Armenia, and Georgia in the East, in the Balkans, and in Southern Italy. -
Jan 1, 1054
The Great Schism
The Great Schism, also known as the East-West Schism, was between the Eastern and the Western Church. There was a break of communion, which is now the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic. The Papal legate traveled to Constantinople for purposes that included refusing the title of "Ecumenical Patriarch". Others insisted that Cerularius recognized Rome's claim to be head and mother of the churches. -
Jan 1, 1095
Emperor Alexios I and Pope Urban II
Emperor Alexios I was appointed commander of the army in the West by Nikephoros III in 1078. Alexios, along with Alexiad and Isaac, left Constantinople to raise an army against Botaneiates. Alexios dealt with the first disorganized group of Crusaders by sending them back to Asia minor, who were then massacared by the Turks. Pope Urban II was best known for initiating the First Crusade and for setting up modern day Roman Curia to help run the church. -
Jan 1, 1204
Fourth Crusade (Attack on Constantinople)
This crusade was intended to conquer the part of Jerusalem that was controlled by Muslims by initiating an invasion through Egypt. Instead, the Crusaders of West, Europe sacked the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. This is also known as one of the final acts of the Great Schism. This is a key turning point of Christianity and the downfall of the Byzantine Empire. -
Jan 1, 1453
End of the Byzantines
During most of the Byzantine Empire's existence, the empire was the most powerful economic, cultural, and military force in Europe. The biggest contribution to the downfall of the empire was when the Ottoman Turks invaded Constantinople, also known as the Fourth Crusade.
