The Roman and Byzantine Empire

Emperor Constantine ends the persecution of Christians in the empire

313 BCE

Roman emperor Constantine the Great ended all persecution and declared toleration for Christianity. Later that century, Christianity became the official state religion of the Empire.

The Roman empire reaches its largest extent.

117 BCE

The Roman Empire reached its greatest extent in 117 CE, under the emperor Trajan. When Trajan died, much of the territory he conquered in Mesopotamia was quickly lost, but from that point on, Rome's frontiers became relatively stable.

Augustus becomes the first Roman emperor

27 BCE

Augustus won a final victory over his rival Mark Antony and his Egyptian fleet. Returning to Rome, Augustus was acclaimed a hero.

According to Christian tradition, baby Jesus is born

1 BCE

Nativity of Christ, birth of Jesus or birth of Christ is described in the biblical gospels of Luke and Matthew.

The western Roman empire collapses

476

The Western imperial court in Ravenna was formally dissolved by Justinian in 554. The Eastern imperial court survived until 1453.

Justinian becomes Byzantine emperor

527

In 525 Emperor Justin I named his favorite nephew, Justinian, caesar of the Byzantine Empire. In 527 Justinian was elevated to the rank of co-emperor. On Justin's death on August 1, 527.

Theodora

528

Theodora ruled with her husband, Justinian at the height of the Byzantine empire. Theodora also made, women rights in Rome happen.

Great Schism divides Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.

1054

The Great Schism split the main faction of Christianity into two divisions, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox.

Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Turks. Byzantine empire ends.

1453

Conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire. The dwindling Byzantine Empire came to an end when the Ottomans breached Constantinople's ancient land wall after besieging the city for 55 days.