-
Period: 306 to 337
Constantine I's Reign
-
313
Edict of Milan
Ended persecution of Christians -
324
Start of Byzantine I
When Constantine moved capital to Constantinople -
330
Start of Byzantine II
Constantinople consecrated by pagan and Christian priests -
Period: 347 to
Theodosius I's Reign
-
Period: 404 to 413
Constantinople City Walls Enlarged
Inner Wall, Outer Wall, Moat -
Period: 527 to 565
Justinian I's Reign
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. -
Period: 533 to 534
Vandals in Africa Subdued
Vandals subdued by Justinian (r 527-565) -
Period: 541 to Jan 1, 750
Bubonic Plague
18 waves of the Bubonic Plague;
20% of Constantinople's population lost in 4 months in the spring of 542 -
544
Extinction of Goths
Goths defeated by Justinian (r 527-565) -
Period: Jan 1, 610 to Jan 1, 641
Heraclius I's Reign
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. -
Period: Jan 1, 613 to
Persians Capture Land
Persians capture Syria, Egypt, and Palestine -
Period: Jan 1, 717 to
Constantinople Attacked
Arabs unsuccessfully attack Constantinople -
Jan 1, 726
Volcano Erupts
Eruption at Thera/Santorini;
Regarded as an omen-- divine wrath? -
Period: Jan 1, 741 to Jan 1, 775
Constantine V's Reign
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Period: Jan 1, 1068 to Jan 1, 1071
Romanus IV Diogenes's Reign
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. -
Period: Jan 1, 1081 to Jan 1, 1118
Alexus I Comnenus's Reign
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Period: Jan 1, 1202 to Jan 1, 1204
The Fourth Crusade
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. -
Jan 1, 1204
Capture of Constantinople
French and Venetian Armies of the Fourth Crusade capture and loot Constantinople -
Jan 1, 1261
Recapture of Constantinople
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Jan 1, 1347
Black Death
-
Period: Jan 1, 1425 to Jan 1, 1448
John VIII's Reign
-
Period: Jan 1, 1438 to Jan 1, 1439
Council of Ferrara-Florence
-
May 29, 1453
End of Byzantine Empire
Ottoman sultan Mehmed II sacks the capital -
Period: to
Hadrian's Reign
-
Start of Byzantine III
Official division of Roman Empire into western and eastern halves -
Sassanian King Defeated
Sassanian King defeated by Heraclius (r 610-641) -
Constantinople Attacked
Arabs unsuccessfully attack Constantinople -
Period: to Jan 1, 1043
Period of Revival
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 -
Period: to
Empress Irene's Reign
Summoned the 7th (and last) council in Nicea -
Period: to
Contantine VII's Reign
-
Period: to
Empress Theodora's Reign
-
Period: to Jan 1, 1025
Basil II's Reign