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The Byzantine Empire

By alofaro@stpeterschools.org
  • 330

    Emperor Constantine I Founded the Byzantine Capital

    At the beginning of the Byzantine empire Emperor Constantine crated a new capital for his “New Rome.” This new capital was called Constantinople.
  • 530

    General Belisarius Military Campaign

    General Belisarius was a general chosen by Emperor Justinian to begin conquering the surrounding areas. Belisarius conquered much of Italy, North Africa, and Spain.
  • 532

    Nika Revolts

    The Nika revolts were revolts against emperor Justinian. The Nika revolts were the most violent riots in the city's history, with nearly half of Constantinople being burned or destroyed and tens of thousands of people killed
  • 537

    Hagia Sophia completed

    Hagia Sophia completed
    Emperor Justinian wanted to create the greatest basilica in the Roman Empire so he ordered the construction of the Hagia Sophia meaning “Holy Wisdom.” This basilica was needed after the last one was destroyed in the Nika revolts.
  • 634

    Early Islamic Military Campaigns

    Muslim armies began their attacks on the Byzantine Empire by storming Syria. Later the Byzantine Empire loses most of their territory to Islamic forces.
  • 976

    Emperor Basil II Military Conquests of Bulgaria

    Basil became the emperor of Byzantium in 976. Basil won victories in many countries to double the territory of Byzantium. He is most known as the ‘Bulgar-Slayer’ for his victories in the Balkans.
  • 1054

    Great Schism

    Great Schism
    The Great Schism split Christianity into 2 divisions, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox. Today these are two of the largest denominations of Christianity.
  • 1095

    Emperor Alexios I Contacts the Pope Urbain II

    Emperor Alexios I Contacts the Pope Urbain II
    Alexios invited forces from the west to help fight the Ottoman Turks. This began the “Holy War” as it was called but what we now know as the crusades.
  • 1204

    Fourth Crusade

    Armies of the 4th crusade entered Constantinople. The armies conquered and looted Constantinople for the time.
  • 1453

    Fall of Constantinople

    The sultan Murad II took privileges away from Byzantines and seiged Constantinople. Ottoman armies took control of Constantinople and the Hagia Sophia leading to the end of the Byzantine Empire.