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Emperor Constantine the Great founded the city of Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Empire. Located in a strategic position, it became a major political, cultural, and economic center.

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Emperor Constantine the Great, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, died in 337 CE. His death marked the beginning of changes in the Roman Empire that shaped Byzantium's future.

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408-413 CE: Creation of the Theodosian Walls

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408-413 CE: Creation of the Theodosian Walls

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The Theodosian Walls were constructed to protect Constantinople. They were a remarkable feat of engineering, providing defense against numerous invasions until the fall of Constantinople.

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The Justinian Code was a comprehensive compilation of Roman law under the direction of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, forming the basis for many modern legal systems.

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Emperor Justinian commissioned the construction of the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It served as a cathedral and symbolized the glory of the empire.

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565 CE: Expansion Under Emperor Justinian

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565 CE: Expansion Under Emperor Justinian

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Under Justinian I, the Byzantine Empire expanded to its greatest territorial extent. Justinian's campaigns aimed to reclaim former Roman territories in the West, including North Africa and Italy.

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6th Century: Expansion of Slavs into Balkans

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6th Century: Expansion of Slavs into Balkans

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The Slavic peoples began to expand into the Balkans during the 6th century, resulting in significant cultural and demographic changes in the region.

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610-750 CE: Rise and Expansion of Islam under Caliphs

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610-750 CE: Rise and Expansion of Islam under Caliphs

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Under the leadership of the Caliphs, the Islamic Empire expanded rapidly, encompassing the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe, which had significant repercussions for Byzantium.

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The Arab Umayyad Caliphate laid siege to Constantinople but was repelled by the Byzantines using Greek fire, a pivotal moment that saved the empire.

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Empress Irene of Athens ruled as the first woman to lead Byzantium in her own right, initiating significant religious reforms and restoring the veneration of icons in 797 CE.

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8th-9th Century: Expansion of Charlemagne

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8th-9th Century: Expansion of Charlemagne

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Charlemagne expanded the Frankish Empire significantly, consolidating a large part of Western Europe under his rule.

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800 CE: Creation of the Holy Roman Empire

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800 CE: Creation of the Holy Roman Empire

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Charlemagne was crowned as the first Holy Roman Emperor in 800 CE, marking the revival of the title of Emperor in Western Europe.

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1054 CE: The Great Schism of Christianity

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1054 CE: The Great Schism of Christianity

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The Christian Church split into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East due to theological and political disagreements, marking a significant divide in religious history.

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The Seljuk Turks defeated the Byzantine army at the Battle of Manzikert, leading to the loss of Anatolia and weakening the Byzantines significantly.

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11th Century: Expansion of Normans into Italy

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11th Century: Expansion of Normans into Italy

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The Normans began their expansion into Southern Italy and Sicily during the 11th century, establishing a significant presence in the region.

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The First Crusade was launched in 1095, aiming to recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control, culminating in the establishment of several Crusader states.

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The Ayyubid Caliphate was established under Saladin, known for recapturing Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187.

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1204 CE: 4th Crusade and Sack of Constantinople

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1204 CE: 4th Crusade and Sack of Constantinople

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The Fourth Crusade deviated from its original purpose and attacked Constantinople, significantly weakening the Byzantine Empire and leading to its fragmentation.

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1326 CE: Foundation of the Ottoman Empire

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1326 CE: Foundation of the Ottoman Empire

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The Ottomans, under Osman I, established their first capital in Bursa. This marked the beginning of a powerful empire poised to challenge Byzantium.

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The Council of Ferrara-Florence attempted to reconcile the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches; despite initial agreements, long-term unity was not achieved.

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1425-1448 CE: Reign of John VIII Palaiologos

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1425-1448 CE: Reign of John VIII Palaiologos

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John VIII was one of the last Byzantine emperors, known for his efforts to secure Western support against the Ottomans.

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Mehmed II ascended to the Ottoman throne in 1451, his reign leading to the conquest of Constantinople and the expansion of the Ottoman Empire.

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Sultan Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror, captured Constantinople, ending the Byzantine Empire. The city's fall marked the rise of the Ottoman Empire and the end of medieval Byzantium.