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330
Emperor Constantine I Founded the Byzantine Empire
Constantine I rebuilt a city in the Greek colony of Byzantium to serve as the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The new Empire is the remaining half of the Roman Empire after the western part fell. -
527
General Belisarius Military Campaigns
Belisarius was one of Justinian I's generals. He led campaigns against the Sasanian Empire, the Vandal Kingdom, the Ostrogothic regime of Italy, and barbarian tribes. His campaigns led to the reclamation of western Roman territories. -
532
Nika Revolt
Members of the Blue and Green factions were supposed to be executed but they took refuge in a church. Much of the city revolted and set fire to important buildings, demanding that the prisoners were to be released. -
537
Hagia Sophia Completed
The Hagia Sophia was "The church of the Divine Wisdom." It was destroyed many times before it was finished in 537. It still stands today. -
636
Early Islamic military campaigns into Byzantine territory
The Arabs defeated the Byzantines in the Battle of Yarmuk. This caused the Byzantine Empire to lose territory in Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. -
986
Emperor Basil II military conquests of Bulgeria
Basil II wanted to extend his power and the influence of the Byzantine Empire. He led many campaigns into Mesopotamia, Georgia, and Armenia. This extended the Byzantine Empire into these regions. -
1054
The Great Schism
This was the final separation of the East and West Christian churches. Both were very similar but could not agree on certain subjects. The East followed more Greek-like laws and the West were more like the Romans. -
1095
Emperor Alexios I contacts Pope Urban II
Alexios I wanted to reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims in the Middle East. Pope Urban II gave a speech to the crusaders telling them that it was God's will. This began the first crusade or Holy War. -
1204
The Fourth Crusade (Attack on Constantinople)
The Fourth Crusade was supposed to conquer Jerusalem by campaigning through Egypt. The crusade however turned its attention to the Eastern Orthodox capital of Constantinople. This was one of the final acts of the Great Schism. -
1453
The Fall of Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire
The Ottoman Turks conquered the regions surrounding Constantinople and in 1453 attacked the city. Its fall marked the end on the Byzantines and what was considered the European Middle Ages.
