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The Rise and Fall of the Byzantine Empire

  • 330

    Emperor Constantine I Founded the Byzantine Capital

    In 330 Emperor Constantine established the city that would mark history as the city that was governed by Roman law and would adopt Greek as its primary language.
  • 505

    General Belisarius Military Campaigns

    General Belisarius was one of the most if not the most prominent military figures in the Byzantine Empire. He was called back into duty after "retirement" when the Huns attacked Constantinople.
  • 532

    Nika revolt (riots)

    The Nika revolt was a devastating riot centered in Constantinople that claimed the lives of over 30,000 people. It lasted for 5 days and was ended by imperial troops led by Belisarius and Mundus
  • 537

    Hagia Sophia Completed

    The Hagia Sophia was built in the short time of 6 years and had the largest dome on a church to date. After the conquest of Constantinople it was re-purposed as a mosque.
  • 780

    Early Islamic military campaigns into Byzantine territory

    The Byzantines and the Islamic war lasted 400 years and was started in 780 when the Islams started to launch attacks into the Byzantine Empire's territory, kick starting the war.
  • 957

    Emperor Basil II military conquests of Bulgaria

    Emperor Basil II was a Byzantine Emperor who extended imperial rule into regions such as Bulgaria and the Balkans.
  • 1054

    Great Schism

    The Great Schism is the event that occurred in 1054 that tore apart communication between the Catholic church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches. This lasted until the 11th century.
  • 1095

    Emperor Alexios I contacts Pope Urban II

    Pope Urban II ordered the first crusades. Their purpose was to retake the holy land for god.
  • Apr 12, 1204

    Fourth Crusade (attack on Constantinople)

    An army of 20,000 men and 200 ships besieged the city of Constantinople, the city that had resisted so many attacks before.
  • May 29, 1453

    Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks (official end to Byzantines)

    After centuries of victories and repelled attacks and siege attempts, Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.