Byzantine Empire

Constantine I's Reign

Period:

306

to

337

Edict of Milan

313

Ended persecution of Christians

Start of Byzantine I

324

When Constantine moved capital to Constantinople

Start of Byzantine II

330

Constantinople consecrated by pagan and Christian priests

Theodosius I's Reign

Period:

347

to

395

Start of Byzantine III

395

Official division of Roman Empire into western and eastern halves

Constantinople City Walls Enlarged

Period:

404

to

413

Inner Wall, Outer Wall, Moat

Justinian I's Reign

Period:

527

to

565

Ruled the Byzantine Empire at its peak, conquered the former Western Roman Empire, rebuilt Constantinople following a major and destructive rebellion, and codified law. Additionally, he built the Hagia Sophia. After his death, less competent rulers replaced him, sending the Byzantine Empire into a long period of decline.

Vandals in Africa Subdued

Period:

533

to

534

Vandals subdued by Justinian (r 527-565)

Bubonic Plague

Period:

541

to

Jan 1, 750

18 waves of the Bubonic Plague;
20% of Constantinople's population lost in 4 months in the spring of 542

Extinction of Goths

544

Goths defeated by Justinian (r 527-565)

Heraclius I's Reign

Period:

Jan 1, 610

to

Jan 1, 641

Heraclius I seizes power of the Empire through a coup, reforming the government and allowing some level of decentralization.During this time period, the Persians, Avars, and Arabs conquered large portions of the empire. He defeated the Sassanian King.

Persians Capture Land

Period:

Jan 1, 613

to

Jan 1, 619

Persians capture Syria, Egypt, and Palestine

Sassanian King Defeated

Jan 1, 628

Sassanian King defeated by Heraclius (r 610-641)

Constantinople Attacked

Jan 1, 678

Arabs unsuccessfully attack Constantinople

Constantinople Attacked

Period:

Jan 1, 717

to

Jan 1, 718

Arabs unsuccessfully attack Constantinople

Volcano Erupts

Jan 1, 726

Eruption at Thera/Santorini;
Regarded as an omen-- divine wrath?

Constantine V's Reign

Period:

Jan 1, 741

to

Jan 1, 775

Empress Irene's Reign

Period:

Jan 1, 780

to

Jan 1, 802

Summoned the 7th (and last) council in Nicea

Empress Theodora's Reign

Period:

Jan 1, 842

to

Jan 1, 853

Period of Revival

Period:

Jan 1, 843

to

Jan 1, 1043

Byzantine Empire began a period of revival;
Marked a long phase of teritorial expansion, political and cultural radiance over its neighnors, and a flourishing of education and the arts

Contantine VII's Reign

Period:

Jan 1, 944

to

Jan 1, 959

Basil II's Reign

Period:

Jan 1, 976

to

Jan 1, 1025

Romanus IV Diogenes's Reign

Period:

Jan 1, 1068

to

Jan 1, 1071

The Empire loses large portions of Asia Minor to the Seljuk Turks at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 while the Normans take Bari, the last Byzantine holding ont the Italian Peninsula. These losses were compounded by the Battle of Myriocephalum between the Turks and the Byzantines, who lost half of their army as the result of poor discipline and communication.

Alexus I Comnenus's Reign

Period:

Jan 1, 1081

to

Jan 1, 1118

The Fourth Crusade

Period:

Jan 1, 1202

to

Jan 1, 1204

Although intended to conquer the Muslim-controlled Holy Lands, the crusaders quickly turned on the Byzantines after they failed to make payments to the Venitians. Alexus IV attempted to reestablish his father Isaac II Angelus's rule in exchange for money.

Capture of Constantinople

Jan 1, 1204

French and Venetian Armies of the Fourth Crusade capture and loot Constantinople

Recapture of Constantinople

Jan 1, 1261

Black Death

Jan 1, 1347

John VIII's Reign

Period:

Jan 1, 1425

to

Jan 1, 1448

Council of Ferrara-Florence

Period:

Jan 1, 1438

to

Jan 1, 1439

End of Byzantine Empire

May 29, 1453

Ottoman sultan Mehmed II sacks the capital

Hadrian's Reign

Period: Jan 1, 2017 to Jan 1, 2038