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330
Begining of the Byzantine Empire
The Roman Empire had split into two separate empires: The East and The West. The Western Roman Empire had fallen but the Eastern was still intact. The Eastern Empire's new name became the Byzantine Empire. -
526
Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia is an architectural beauty that's still around today as a Turkish museum. It used to be a church, then later it was a mosque. It's still a very important monument for both the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire. -
527
Justinian's Rule
Justinian was the greatest emperor of the Byzantine Empire. He ruled from 527 AD to 565 AD. The 38 years he ruled were known as "East's Golden Age." He did many good things for his empire such as appointing qualified people to run his government, overseeing increased prosperity, and holding off the Persian Empire. -
532
The Nika Revolt
Rival groups of fans were fighting over a disputed call during a chariot race in the Hippadrome. Fights turned into city riots which turned into a revolt against Justinian. Justinian ordered soldiers, lead by his trusted friend Belisarius, to herd rebels into the Hppadrome. Over 30,000 were killed on Justinian's order, but it had crushed the revolt. -
565
End of Justinian
When Justinian died he had nearly completely restored his empire. But, due to the sickness and economy drops, the Byzantine's were not in shape to hold on to all of their conquests for long. Thus came the end of the empire's "Golden Age." -
Dec 11, 610
Heraclius
Heraclius ruled as emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 610-641 A.D. He introduced Greek as the official language of the Eastern Roman Empire. He was recognized for strengthening the imperial administration and armies. But, Heraclius also lost Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and part of Mesopotamia to the Arab Muslims. -
Jan 1, 976
Basil II
Basil II, from the Macedonian Dynasty, becomes emperor of the Byzantine Empire. He conquered many territories. He reconquered Syria from the Muslims in 995, took Greece from Bulgars in 996, and finally destroyed the Bulgar army 1014, which gave him the name "The Bulgar Slayer." -
Jan 1, 1019
Yaroslav I
Also known as "Yaroslav the Wise," he ruled fro 1019 AD to 1054 AD. He created the "Pravda Russkaia," Russia's first code of laws. -
Jan 1, 1054
The Great Split
This was the preservation and replication of ancient knowledge and cultures. The Byzantine Legacy spread far and wide. It had a great influence on world history. -
Apr 19, 1054
The Great Schism
The East-West Schism, better known as the Great Schism, was the event that divided the Western Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Christians. The cause of this event was when the Roman Pope claimed he held authority over the four Eastern patriarchs. But he four eastern patriarchs claimed that the primacy of the Patriarch of Rome only had authority over Western Christians, thus creating a disagreement. -
Jan 1, 1179
Asia Minor
At around the 600s A.D., the Muslims took most of Asia Minor from the Byzantines. In 1121, they began a conquest to retake it. But sadly, in 1179, the Byzantine Army had been defeated by the Sultanate of Rum at Myriokephalon. Any hopes of regaining Asia Minor were lost. -
Jan 1, 1204
The Latin Empire
The Latin Empire of Constantinople had been formed as well as many Byzantine successor states. The capture of Constantinople in 1204 was big. The Byzantines never fully recovered. -
Jan 1, 1261
Byzantine Empire Restored
The successor state of Nicaea recaptures Constantinople in 1261. This causes the resurrection of the Byzantine Empire. -
Jan 1, 1449
The Final Emperor
Constantine XI Palaiologos was the final emperor of the Byzantine Empire before it crashed. He acknowledged the union of the church, or accepted both churches. He died defending his empire from the the Ottoman Turks on May 29, 1453 A.D. -
May 29, 1453
The Fall of the Byzantine Empire
The Ottoman army had stormed Constantinople, Mehmed entered the city's leading mosque, Hagia Sophia. Emperor Constantine XI died in battle that day, and the decline and fall of the Byzantine Empire had ended.
