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Period: 307 to 326
Constantine's reign
Constantine was soon awarded the status of co-emperor, in 306, just as his father was before him. He claimed the East side of Rome, but after a series of extremely complicated civil wars, he became the sole emperor. It was then that he became the first Roman emperor to announce his conversion to Christianity. "Being convinced, however, that he needed some more powerful aid than his military forces could afford him, on account of the wicked and magical enchantments which were so diligently practi -
Period: 330 to May 26, 1453
Byzantine Empire
The span of the Byzantine Empire -
476
Fall of Western Roman Empire
Roman Empire Falls to Barbarian Invasions Problems started long before this though, Rome was having trouble governing it’s lands outside of Italy. They decided that there was only one way to deal with this:to make these new conquered people citizens. Immigrating new citizens into the Roman Empire worked well until they decided to try it with barbarians. -
527
Justinian becomes emperor
Justinian I, or Flavius Justianus, was a prominent Byzantine emperor who lived from 483-565 A.D. And was known for his administrative reorganization of the imperial government and his sponsorship of a codification of laws known as the Codex Justinianus.
Justinian was born of peasant stock, but being the favorite nephew of soon to be Emperor Justin I was explains how he rose to such great heights. -
Period: 527 to 565
Justinian I's reign
Justinian I, or Flavius Justianus, was a prominent Byzantine emperor who lived from 483-565 A.D. And was known for his administrative reorganization of the imperial government and his sponsorship of a codification of laws known as the Codex Justinianus. Justinian was born of peasant stock, but being the favorite nephew of soon to be Emperor Justin I was explains how he rose to such great heights. While still a young man Justinian went to Constantinople where his uncle then held high mi -
533
Codex Justinianus for Law Students released by Justinian
Justinian’s internal policy was best known for codification and legislation. Justinian greatly stimulated legal studies, such as releasing a handbook for the use of law students and institutions teaching law in 533 A.D. Soon afterwards the Codex Justinianus was released containing Justinian’s own laws up to date on all of the current issues such as religion. Justinian was genuinely concerned with the well-being of his subjects, and showed this by rooting out corruption and providing easily acce -
537
Completion of Hagia Sofia
The pride of the Byzantine Empire was its majestic church, the Hagia Sophia. Even Justianian 1, the Emperor of Rome at the time wrote that; "[The Church] is distinguished by indescribable beauty, excelling both in its size, and in the harmony of its measures, having no part excessive and none deficient; being more magnificent than ordinary buildings, and much more elegant than those which are not of so just a proportion...No one ever became weary of this spectacle." -
Jan 1, 611
Schism between Constantinople and Papacy in Rome
One of the main problems Justinian had to deal with was the rift between two different sects of orthodox Christianity, Monophysite and the sect that was accepted at the Council of Chalcedon. Monophysitism was practiced more in the western regions of Syria and Egypt and was closely allied to growing national feelings and resentment of Byzantine rule which contrasted with The Council of Chalcedon Christianity which was more eastern focused. Justianian tried to calm this rivalry. -
Jan 1, 672
Grrek Fire Invented
Greek Fire was one of many inventions that made the Byzantines such a strong force on the battlefield. It was first created by a Syrian architect living in the Byzantine Empire named Kallinikos somewhere around 672 A.D. Kallinikos had spent many hours trying to find the perfect mixture of ingredients to make a potent, flammable liquid that could be easily used in war. He finally finished his concoction, a secret potion that was fast to light, could last under almost any condition. -
Period: Jan 1, 730 to
Ban on paintings
During two periods, however, 730-787 A.D. and 814-842 A.D., the Byzantine emperor and Orthodox Church placed a ban on all paintings and depictions of religious figures. Obviously, this was a huge hindrance to artists at the time. This downtime was actually a blessing in disguise. After the ban was waived, thousands started to try their hand at painting some of these Icons. -
Period: Jan 1, 1025 to Jan 1, 1453
Decline of Byzantine Empire
Throughout these years, the Byzantine Empires went into an era of decline. In this era, they lost many important areas such as Asia Minor, North Africa, parts of the Arabic Peninsula, and Syria. The empire almost fell when the 4th crusade in 1204 conquered Constantinople from Byzantines. Luckily, the empire was reformed when Constantinople was recaptured several years later. -
Jan 1, 1054
East-West Schism
As the Byzantine Empire flourish, Orthodox Christianity begins to become more popular. Soon, Orthodox Christianity and Catholic Christianity argued on which branch is the supreme belief. They each believed that their own brach was more dominant over the other. They disputed on various topics such as the official language of Christianity. In 1048, Pope Leo IX was declared the pope of the Catholic church. At the same time, Southern Italy was being conquered by the Normans from the Byzantines. -
Jan 1, 1075
Lost Syria
Muslims conquer Syria from the Byzantines -
Jan 1, 1087
Defeated in Thrace
Byzantine Empire lost large part of Asia Minor to Thrace -
Jan 1, 1121
Reconquer
Reconquer of Asia Minor after loosing most of it to Thrace -
Jan 1, 1179
Asia Minor Lost again
Byzantine army defeated by Sultanate of Rum at Myriokephalon. Permanently lost Asia Minor -
Jan 1, 1204
4th Crusade
4th Crusade captures Constantinople from Byzantines -
Jan 1, 1261
Reconquest of Constantinople
State of Nicaea recaptures Constantinople and restores the Byzantine Empire. -
Period: Jan 1, 1452 to Feb 22, 1453
Seige of Constantinople
Mehmed lays seige on Constantinople -
May 26, 1453
Fall of Constantinople
Mehmed conqueres Constantinople from Byzantine Empire. His army marched on the wall of Constantinople day after day. Finally, after 6 weeks, they broke through the double wall. Mehmed was so frustrated with the siege that after he conquered the city, he allowed his troops to plunder the city for 3 days. Killing and enslaving over 30,000 civilians. -
North Africa
Muslims conquers North Africa from Byzantine Empire
