Greek History · Chronicle VI of IX

The Eastern Roman Empire

Ῥωμανία

A thousand years of Rome that never fell, ruled from Constantinople.

Span: 330 – 1453 AD
Entries: 73
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Entry 1 of 73

AD 330
FoundationPolitical
Inauguration of Constantinople
Emperor Constantine the Great dedicates Nova Roma on the Bosporus on 11 May, transforming the Greek city of Byzantion into the new capital of the Roman Empire.
Colossal head of Constantine the Great, Capitoline Museums, Rome · Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 337
Constantinian DynastyPolitical
Death of Constantine the Great
Constantine is baptised on his deathbed and dies near Nicomedia, leaving the empire divided among his three sons.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 361
Constantinian DynastyReligious
Julian the Apostate becomes sole emperor
Julian attempts a revival of classical paganism and Hellenic learning, reversing the Christianisation of the state.
Julian the Apostate coin · Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 378
Late RomanMilitary
Battle of Adrianople
Emperor Valens is killed by the Goths; a catastrophic defeat that marks the beginning of the barbarian settlements within the empire.
Battle of Adrianople · Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 381
Theodosian DynastyReligious
First Council of Constantinople
The second ecumenical council affirms the Nicene Creed and elevates the see of Constantinople to second rank after Rome.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 395
Theodosian DynastyPolitical
Permanent division of the Empire
On the death of Theodosius I, the empire is divided between his sons Arcadius (East) and Honorius (West); the Eastern Roman Empire begins its independent course.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 400
Theodosian DynastyMilitary
Gothic revolt under Gainas
The Gothic general Gainas briefly dominates Constantinople before being defeated, highlighting the empire's reliance on barbarian troops.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 410
Theodosian DynastyMilitary
Sack of Rome
Alaric and the Visigoths sack Rome, sending shockwaves through the Roman world. Emperor Honorius remains in Ravenna while Stilicho struggles to contain the crisis.
Sack of Rome by the Visigoths, painting by J.-N. Sylvestre (1890) · Joseph-Noël Sylvestre, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 425
Theodosian DynastyCultural
Foundation of the University of Constantinople
Theodosius II establishes the Pandidakterion, the first higher learning institution in the Byzantine Empire, focusing on Greek philosophy and law.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 431
Ecumenical CouncilsReligious
Council of Ephesus
The Third Ecumenical Council condemns Nestorius and proclaims the Virgin Mary as Theotokos — at the cost of severing the Church of Persia and sowing the seed of the later Christological schism.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 438
Theodosian DynastyCultural
Codex Theodosianus promulgated
Theodosius II issues a comprehensive compilation of imperial constitutions since Constantine — the first major Christian Roman law code.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 439
Vandal KingdomMilitary
Vandals seize Carthage
Geiseric and his Vandals capture Carthage by surprise, depriving the empire of its richest African province and the granary that had fed Rome for six centuries.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 447
Theodosian DynastyMilitary
Great earthquake and Hunnic invasion
A massive earthquake damages Constantinople's walls, which are hastily rebuilt under the direction of Prefect Cyrus before Attila's invasion of the Balkans.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 451
Theodosian DynastyReligious
Council of Chalcedon
The Fourth Ecumenical Council defines the two natures of Christ and sparks centuries of theological conflict with the Miaphysite churches of Egypt, Syria and Armenia.
Military
Battle of the Catalaunian Plains
Roman and Visigothic forces under Flavius Aetius halt Attila's advance in Gaul, though the Huns remain a threat to the Eastern Empire.
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AD 453
Theodosian DynastyPolitical
Death of Attila
The Hunnic empire fragments after Attila's death, removing the immediate threat to the Eastern Roman Empire.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 476
Leonid DynastyPolitical
Fall of the Western Empire
Odoacer deposes Romulus Augustulus; Emperor Zeno in Constantinople becomes the sole Roman emperor in theory, though in practice the West passes to barbarian kings.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 502
Anastasian Persian WarMilitary
Anastasian War with Persia
Kavad I attacks the eastern frontier and storms Amida, opening the first major war between Rome and Sasanian Persia in nearly a century and prompting Anastasius to fortify Dara as the new Roman bulwark in Mesopotamia.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 527
Justinianic DynastyPolitical
Accession of Justinian I
Justinian and Theodora begin a reign marked by legal reform, monumental building, and the attempt to restore the Roman Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 532
Justinianic DynastyPolitical
Nika Riots
A rebellion of the circus factions nearly topples Justinian; Theodora's resolve and Belisarius's troops save the throne. Much of Constantinople burns.
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AD 537
Justinianic DynastyCultural
Consecration of Hagia Sophia
The 'Great Church' designed by Anthemios of Tralles and Isidoros of Miletos is dedicated. Justinian reportedly exclaims, 'Solomon, I have surpassed thee!'
Exterior of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (Istanbul) · Wikimedia Commons / Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA
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AD 540
Justinianic DynastyEvent
Plague of Justinian
The first recorded pandemic sweeps through Constantinople and the Mediterranean, killing millions and weakening the empire's economy and military recruitment.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 542
Justinianic DynastyPolitical
Death of Belisarius's wife Antonina
The influential Antonina, wife of the great general Belisarius, dies. Her political maneuvering had been crucial in court politics during the reconquest.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 554
Justinianic DynastyMilitary
Reconquest of Italy completed
With the Pragmatic Sanction Justinian reorganises reconquered Italy; Africa, Italy and parts of Spain are once again under Roman rule.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 610
Heraclian DynastyPolitical
Heraclius seizes the throne
Sailing from Africa, Heraclius overthrows the tyrant Phocas and inherits an empire besieged by Sasanid Persia and the Avars.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 626
Heraclian DynastyMilitary
Siege of Constantinople
The combined Avar–Sasanid assault on the capital fails. The victory is credited to the Theotokos, protector of the City.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 636
Heraclian DynastyMilitary
Battle of Yarmuk
The Arab armies crush the Romans in Syria; within a decade Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Mesopotamia are lost to the new Caliphate.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 641
Heraclian DynastyPolitical
Death of Heraclius and Arab conquest of Egypt
Heraclius dies after a disastrous reign that saw the loss of Syria, Palestine, and Egypt to the Arab Caliphate. His sons Constantine III and Heraklonas briefly rule together.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 642
Heraclian DynastyMilitary
Fall of Alexandria
The Arab conquest of Egypt is completed with the capture of Alexandria, ending over 600 years of Roman rule in the province.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 655
Heraclian DynastyMilitary
Battle of the Masts
An imperial fleet led personally by Constans II is annihilated off the Lycian coast by the new Arab navy of Mu'awiya, ending Roman naval supremacy in the eastern Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 668
Heraclian DynastyPolitical
Murder of Constans II
Constans II, who had moved the imperial court to Syracuse and attempted to centralize control in the West, is assassinated in his bath. Constantine IV succeeds him.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 678
Heraclian DynastyMilitary
First Arab siege of Constantinople fails
The five-year Arab siege is broken by Byzantine use of Greek fire and the arrival of Bulgarian allies. The Caliphate's expansion is temporarily halted.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 681
Ecumenical CouncilsReligious
Third Council of Constantinople
The Sixth Ecumenical Council, summoned by Constantine IV, condemns Monothelitism and affirms two natural wills in Christ — closing the long Christological controversy that had divided the empire since Heraclius.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 698
Heraclian DynastyMilitary
Loss of Carthage
The Exarchate of Africa falls to the Arabs, ending Byzantine presence in North Africa west of Egypt and forcing the empire to rely on maritime trade.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 717
Isaurian DynastyMilitary
Leo III and the second Arab siege
Leo the Isaurian takes the throne and, together with Greek fire, breaks the great Umayyad siege of Constantinople in 718 — a turning point for Europe.
Byzantine ship using Greek fire, Madrid Skylitzes manuscript (12th c.) · Madrid Skylitzes, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 726
Isaurian DynastyReligious
First Iconoclasm begins
Leo III orders the removal of sacred images, igniting more than a century of religious and political strife.
Iconoclasm in the Chludov Psalter, 9th century · Chludov Psalter, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 730
Isaurian DynastyReligious
Iconoclastic Council of Hieria
Leo III convenes a council that declares icons a form of idolatry, beginning the systematic removal of religious images throughout the empire.
Manasses Chronicle, 12th century · Manasses Chronicle, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 764
Isaurian DynastyReligious
Death of Stephen the Younger
The leading iconodule martyr is executed for opposing iconoclasm, becoming a symbol of resistance to imperial religious policy.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 780
Isaurian DynastyPolitical
Accession of Constantine VI
The nine-year-old Constantine VI becomes emperor under the regency of his mother Irene, who will eventually depose him.
Solidus of Constantine VI · Dumbarton Oaks, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 787
Isaurian DynastyReligious
Second Council of Nicaea
Empress Irene convenes the seventh ecumenical council, which restores the veneration of icons.
Menologion of Basil
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 843
Amorian DynastyReligious
Triumph of Orthodoxy
Empress Theodora definitively restores the icons. The feast is still celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 860
Macedonian DynastyMilitary
Rus' attack on Constantinople
The first recorded attack by the Rus' on Constantinople is repelled, marking the beginning of Byzantine-Rus' relations that will shape Eastern European history.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 863
Macedonian DynastyCultural
Mission of Cyril and Methodius
The brothers from Thessalonica begin their mission to the Slavs, creating the Glagolitic alphabet and translating the liturgy into Slavonic.
Military
Battle of Lalakaon
Emperor Michael III and Petronas decisively defeat the Abbasid forces, ending the Arab threat to Anatolia and beginning the Byzantine resurgence.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 867
Macedonian DynastyPolitical
Accession of Basil I
Basil the Macedonian founds the dynasty that will preside over the golden age of Byzantium.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 976
Macedonian DynastyPolitical
Basil II becomes sole emperor
The Bulgar-Slayer begins a long reign that will bring Byzantium to its greatest extent since Justinian.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 988
Macedonian DynastyReligious
Conversion of the Rus'
Vladimir of Kiev marries Anna Porphyrogenita and accepts Orthodox Christianity, drawing the Rus' into the Byzantine commonwealth.
The Christianization of Kievan Rus', painting by Klavdy Lebedev · Klavdy Lebedev, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 989
Macedonian DynastyMilitary
Basil II suppresses Bardas Phokas rebellion
The general Bardas Phokas rebels against Basil II but is defeated at the Battle of Abydos, securing Basil's absolute authority.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
AD 995
Macedonian DynastyMilitary
Basil II's Bulgarian campaigns begin
Basil II launches annual campaigns against Bulgaria, systematically destroying Bulgarian resistance and earning his future epithet.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1014
Macedonian DynastyMilitary
Battle of Kleidion
Basil II annihilates the Bulgarian army; the surviving prisoners are blinded, earning him the epithet Boulgaroktonos.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1025
Macedonian DynastyPolitical
Death of Basil II
The empire stretches from the Danube to Syria and from Italy to the Caucasus; the zenith of medieval Byzantine power.
Emperor Basil II in triumph, miniature from his Psalter · Marciana Library, Venice, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1054
Macedonian DynastyReligious
Great Schism
Mutual excommunications between Cardinal Humbert and Patriarch Michael Keroularios formalise the split between Latin and Greek Christendom.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1067
Macedonian DynastyPolitical
Death of Constantine X Doukas
Constantine X dies, leaving the empire to his young sons under the regency of Empress Eudokia Makrembolitissa, who soon marries Romanos IV Diogenes.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1071
Doukid DynastyMilitary
Battle of Manzikert
Emperor Romanos IV is defeated and captured by the Seljuk Turks, opening Anatolia — the empire's demographic heart — to Turkish settlement.
Battle of Manzikert (1071), 15th-century French miniature · Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Military
Fall of Bari
The last Byzantine stronghold in Italy falls to the Normans, ending five centuries of Roman rule in the peninsula.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1081
Komnenian DynastyPolitical
Alexios I Komnenos takes the throne
Alexios begins the Komnenian restoration, reforming the army, the coinage and the aristocracy.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1095
Komnenian DynastyReligious
Call of the First Crusade
Alexios's appeal for Western mercenaries provokes Urban II's summons to Clermont; Latin armies march east.
Pope Urban II preaching the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont, medieval miniature · Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1108
Komnenian DynastyPolitical
Treaty of Devol
Alexios I forces Bohemond of Antioch to acknowledge Byzantine suzerainty over the Crusader states, though the treaty is never fully implemented.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1118
Komnenian DynastyPolitical
Accession of John II Komnenos
John II, known as 'the Good', begins a reign marked by military success, piety, and efforts to restore Byzantine authority in Anatolia.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1143
Komnenian DynastyPolitical
Accession of Manuel I Komnenos
Manuel presides over a brilliant, cosmopolitan court, balancing Crusader states, the Sultanate of Rum, and the West.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1176
Komnenian DynastyMilitary
Battle of Myriokephalon
Manuel's army is mauled by the Seljuks at a mountain pass in Phrygia; Byzantine hopes of reconquering the Anatolian plateau fade.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1180
Komnenian DynastyPolitical
Death of Manuel I Komnenos
Manuel dies, leaving his 11-year-old son Alexios II under the regency of Empress Maria of Antioch, leading to political instability.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1185
Komnenian DynastyMilitary
Norman sack of Thessalonica
William II of Sicily captures and sacks Thessalonica, the empire's second city, exposing military weakness under the Komnenoi.
Political
Accession of Isaac II Angelos
Isaac II overthrows and kills the tyrannical Andronikos I Komnenos, beginning the incompetent Angelos dynasty.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1194
Angelos DynastyMilitary
Battle of Arcadiopolis
The Bulgarians under Tsar Kaloyan defeat the Byzantine army, establishing the Second Bulgarian Empire as a major threat.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1204
Latin OccupationMilitary
Sack of Constantinople
The Fourth Crusade storms and pillages the capital. The empire is broken into Latin and Greek successor states — Nicaea, Epiros, and Trebizond.
Conquest of Constantinople by the Crusaders in 1204, painting by Eugène Delacroix · Eugène Delacroix, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1261
Palaiologan DynastyPolitical
Recovery of Constantinople
Michael VIII Palaiologos restores the empire in the capital, but a diminished, impoverished shadow of its former self.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1282
Palaiologan DynastyPolitical
Sicilian Vespers
Byzantine diplomacy and gold help ignite the rebellion that destroys Charles of Anjou's plans to reconquer Constantinople.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1299
Palaiologan DynastyPolitical
Founding of the Ottoman Emirate
Osman I declares independence from the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, establishing the Ottoman state that will eventually conquer Constantinople.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1303
Palaiologan DynastyMilitary
Catalan Grand Company arrives
The Catalan mercenaries, hired by Emperor Andronikos II, turn against their employers and ravage Thrace and Macedonia.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1326
Palaiologan DynastyMilitary
Fall of Bursa
The Ottomans capture Bursa, making it their first capital and establishing a foothold in northwestern Anatolia.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1341
Palaiologan DynastyPolitical
Beginning of the civil war
The death of Andronikos III sparks a devastating civil war between John VI Kantakouzenos and the regency of John V Palaiologos.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1354
Palaiologan DynastyMilitary
Ottomans cross into Europe
The earthquake at Gallipoli allows the Ottomans to seize their first European foothold; the noose begins to tighten around the capital.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1396
Palaiologan DynastyMilitary
Battle of Nicopolis
A Crusader army led by Sigismund of Hungary is annihilated by Bayezid I, ending hopes of relieving Byzantine pressure.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1422
Palaiologan DynastyMilitary
First Ottoman siege of Constantinople
Murad II besieges Constantinople but withdraws after the appearance of the legendary 'Last Emperor' prophecy.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1439
Palaiologan DynastyReligious
Council of Florence
Emperor John VIII agrees to a union of Churches in exchange for Western aid. The union is bitterly rejected by most of the Orthodox faithful.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1453
End of EmpireMilitary
Fall of Constantinople
On 29 May, after a 53-day siege, Sultan Mehmed II breaches the Theodosian Walls. Emperor Constantine XI dies in the final assault. The Roman Empire, after 1,123 years, comes to an end.
Mehmed II entering Constantinople, painting by Fausto Zonaro · Fausto Zonaro, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
65 more entries, to 1453

The Eastern Roman Empire

Inauguration of Constantinople

Death of Constantine the Great

Julian the Apostate becomes sole emperor

Battle of Adrianople

First Council of Constantinople

Permanent division of the Empire

Gothic revolt under Gainas

Sack of Rome

Foundation of the University of Constantinople

Council of Ephesus

Codex Theodosianus promulgated

Vandals seize Carthage

Great earthquake and Hunnic invasion

Council of Chalcedon

Battle of the Catalaunian Plains

Death of Attila

Fall of the Western Empire

Anastasian War with Persia

Accession of Justinian I

Nika Riots

Consecration of Hagia Sophia

Plague of Justinian

Death of Belisarius's wife Antonina

Reconquest of Italy completed

Heraclius seizes the throne

Siege of Constantinople

Battle of Yarmuk

Death of Heraclius and Arab conquest of Egypt

Fall of Alexandria

Battle of the Masts

Murder of Constans II

First Arab siege of Constantinople fails

Third Council of Constantinople

Loss of Carthage

Leo III and the second Arab siege

First Iconoclasm begins

Iconoclastic Council of Hieria

Death of Stephen the Younger

Accession of Constantine VI

Second Council of Nicaea

Triumph of Orthodoxy

Rus' attack on Constantinople

Mission of Cyril and Methodius

Battle of Lalakaon

Accession of Basil I

Basil II becomes sole emperor

Conversion of the Rus'

Basil II suppresses Bardas Phokas rebellion

Basil II's Bulgarian campaigns begin

Battle of Kleidion

Death of Basil II

Great Schism

Death of Constantine X Doukas

Battle of Manzikert

Fall of Bari

Alexios I Komnenos takes the throne

Call of the First Crusade

Treaty of Devol

Accession of John II Komnenos

Accession of Manuel I Komnenos

Battle of Myriokephalon

Death of Manuel I Komnenos

Norman sack of Thessalonica

Accession of Isaac II Angelos

Battle of Arcadiopolis

Sack of Constantinople

Recovery of Constantinople

Sicilian Vespers

Founding of the Ottoman Emirate

Catalan Grand Company arrives

Fall of Bursa

Beginning of the civil war

Ottomans cross into Europe

Battle of Nicopolis

First Ottoman siege of Constantinople

Council of Florence

Fall of Constantinople