The history of the Byzantines

Emperor Constantine I founded the Byzantine Capital

330

After the German invaders demolished the Roman Empire from Germania, The Roman emperor Constantine and the emperors after him moved their capital city to the eastern Mediterranean. The emperor decided to rebuild the old Greek city of Byzantine and renamed it after himself. The city was called Constantinople.

Justinian Becomes Emperor of the Byzantines

527

Byzantium experienced it's greatest years with Justinian as it's emperor. Justinian's goal was to revive ancient Rome by retaking lands that had been taken by invaders. Justinian also made a new reform of law. Early in his reign he ordered to collect, revise, and organize all laws of Ancient Rome. This eventually turned into the Body of Civil Law, also known as Justinian's Code.

General Belisarius Military Campaigns

533

With emperor Justinian wanting to retake Ancient Rome he chose to have the brilliant general Belisarius lead his armies. Belisarius led the armies to reconquer North Africa, Italy, and the southern Iberian peninsula. These victories were short lived because the fighting had weakened Justinian's treasury and the eastern defenses. The emperors succeding Justinian went on to lose those territories one by one.

Hagia Sophia Completed

537

Justinian left a lasting monument in his capital city also. In 532 many riots and fire came rushing through Constantinople, Many buildings burned down and many lives were lost in the fire. In order to restore Roman glory Justinian decided to order the contruction of a building that would make Constantinople better than ever. He built the great church of Hagia Sophia with a grand arching dome.

Islamic Conquests Parts of the Byzantine Territory

Feb 25, 600

After the rule of Justinian the Byzantines experienced multiple attacks from the Persians, Slavs, Vikings, Huns, and Turks, Most of these attaks were unsuccessful. The empire served as a barrier for western Europe, especially in stopping the spread of Muslim conquest. In the 600s and 700s things began to change. Arab armies slowly gained control of Byzantine territories.

Emperor Basil II military conquests up to year 1025

Feb 25, 1025

Emperor Basil II is most known for his war against the the freshly renwed Bulgarian empire. His war with them went from 986 to 1014. Each year his forces slowly crept farther into Bulgaria. Finally after holding northern and central Bulgaria he began to march towards the capital Ochrida. He then had a decisive victory and was given the name Slayer of Bulgars. It is said that he then blinded every soldier of their army leaving one eye for every 100th man.

Great Schism

Feb 25, 1054

During the Middle Ages the two branches of Christianity drew farther apart. It was the use of icons that contributed to the split. Most Byzantine Christians used images of Jesus or Mary to worship. In the 700s though a Byzantine emperor banned the use of icons for worship. This ban sparked unrest in the empire. The pope went as far to condemthe Byzantine emperor. In 1054 other problems sparked the the split. The eastern side became known as the Greek Orthodox while the west was Roman Catholics.

Emperor Alexios I and Pope Urban II

Feb 26, 1095

By the eleventh century the Turks and taken control of the road to Jerusalem. Alexios then wrote to Pope Urban asking for assistance in opening the road to the Holy Road. Pope Urban was then able to convince a council of ecclesiastics and nobles from across Europe to answer Alexios' call. This was the begining of the First Crusade. Alexios then hade the people's crusade and the knights of the first crusade at his disposal and had the leaders of each swear fealty to him.

Fourth Crusade

Feb 26, 1204

In later Crusades a trade rivalry sparked violence between the Byzantine empire and Venice, a city state in Italy at the time. In 1204 Ventian merchants were able to persaude knights of the fourth crusade to attack Constantinople. For three days the knights plundered and burned the city, sending many treasures to the west.

End of Byzantines

Feb 26, 1453

In 1453 Ottoman forces had the city of Constantinople surronded. They used cannons to damage the cities walls. The seige lasted two months but in the end the Turks stormed Constantinople's broken walls. It is said that Byzantine's last emperor was offered safe passage and he replied "God forbid that I should live an emperor without an empire." He chose instead to die fighting.