Byzantine Empire

Q: What was the Byzantine Empire known for?

The Byzantine Empire was known for being a Christian state with Greek as its official language. It began as the eastern part of the Roman Empire but then took on an identity of its own. The empire once covered much of eastern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of North Africa.

Q: Who founded the Byzantine Empire?

The Byzantine Empire was founded by Roman emperor Constantine I who separated the Roman Empire into western and eastern parts.

Q: Was Byzantine Greek or Roman?

The Byzantine Empire was both Roman and Greek. It started out more Roman but over the centuries it drifted further away from the traditions of the Western Roman Empire. The official language of the empire was Greek.

Mark Cartwright

Definition

The Byzantine Empire existed from 330 to 1453. It is often called the Eastern Roman Empire or simply Byzantium. The Byzantine capital was founded at Constantinople by Constantine I (r. 306-337). The Byzantine Empire varied in size over the centuries, at one time or another, possessing territories located in Italy, Greece, the Balkans, Levant, Asia Minor, and North Africa.

More about: Byzantine Empire

Timeline

285 CE
The Roman empire is split into the Western and Eastern Roman empires.
312 CE
Constantine I introduces the gold nomisma (solidus) coin.
312 CE
Roman emperor Constantine I tolerates Christianity.
c. 330 CE - c. 379 CE
Life of Basil Great, one of the founding fathers of the Eastern Christian Church and Byzantine Monasteries.
11 May 330 CE
Constantinople is founded on the site of old Byzantium as "the new Rome."
c. 331 CE
The Great Palace of Constantinople is first built by Constantine I.
360 CE
First Hagia Sophia built in Constantinople.
361 CE
Roman emperor Julian attempts to revive Paganism.
c. 370 CE
Basil the Great is made the bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.
376 CE
The Visigoths are fleeing the Huns, entering the Eastern Roman Empire.
391 CE
Emperor Theodosius I closes pagan temples.
395 CE - 408 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Arkadios.
395 CE
The statue of Zeus at Olympia is removed to Constantinople.
395 CE - 637 CE
Byblos is a colony of the Byzantine Empire (formerly known as the Eastern Roman Empire).
408 CE - 450 CE
Reign of Byzantine Emperor Thedosius II.
410 CE - 413 CE
The Theodosian Walls are built to better protect Constantinople.
450 CE - 457 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Marcian.
8 Oct 451 CE - 1 Nov 451 CE
Fourth Ecumenical Council takes place in Chalcedon, determining that Jesus Christ had two distinct natures and wills, perfectly united.
457 CE - 474 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Leo I.
457 CE
Leo I is crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople, the first Byzantine emperor to be crowned by a bishop.
466 CE
Byzantine emperor Leo I gives his daughter Ariadne as a wife to the Isaurian chief Tarasicodissa (Zeno).
468 CE
A Byzantine army led by Basiliscus is defeated by the Vandals in North Africa.
469 CE
The Byzantine Empire builds the Anastasian Wall.
471 CE
Byzantine emperor Leo I conspires to murder his rival the general Aspar.
474 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Leo II.
474 CE - 491 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Zeno.
475 CE - 476 CE
Revolt of Basiliscus against Zeno in the Byzantine Empire.
479 CE
Revolt by Marcian against Zeno in the Byzantine Empire.
481 CE
Theodoric Strabo marches on Constantinople.
482 CE
Patriarch Acacius and Zeno release the Henotikon, an attempted religious compromise, which creates the Acacian Schism with Rome.
484 CE - 519 CE
Acacian Schism between the Byzantine Empire and the Pope in Rome.
491 CE - 518 CE
Byzantine emperor Anastasios I introduces the copper follis coin (288 are worth one gold nomisma).
491 CE - 518 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Anastasios I.
c. 493 CE
Byzantine emperor Anastasios I builds the Long Wall in Thrace to protect Constantinople.
497 CE
Byzantine emperor Anastasios I recognises Theodoric as the King of Italy.
498 CE
Byzantine emperor Anastasios I abolishes the chrysargyron, an unpopular tax on business transactions.
c. 504 CE
Byzantine emperor Anastasios I retakes the fortress of Amida on the Persian frontier.
505 CE - 507 CE
Byzantine emperor Anastasios I builds a new fortress at Anastasiopolis (Dara) on the frontier with Persia.
506 CE
A peace treaty is signed between the Byzantine Empire and the Persians.
507 CE
Byzantine emperor Anastasios I sends Clovis I, the king of the Franks in Gaul, a fleet to aid his war with the Ostrogoths.
513 CE - 515 CE
Vitalian leads a revolt in Byzantine nThrace.
518 CE - 527 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Justin I.
525 CE
Justinian I marries Theodora, a woman from a poor background and possibly a courtesan.
527 CE - 565 CE
Reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
c. 527 CE - 646 CE
The Byzantine Empire controls Egypt.
527 CE - 548 CE
Reign of Empress Theodora of the Byzantine Empire.
1 Apr 527 CE
Coronation of Justinian I and Theodora in the Hagia Sophia Church in Constantinople.
529 CE
The first part of Justinian's Code, the Codex Justinianus, is released and immediately adopted across the Byzantine Empire.
531 CE - 534 CE
Byzantine forces engaged in a series of military campaigns against the Slavs and other groups.
532 CE - 537 CE
Hagia Sophia is built anew in Constantinople.
533 CE - 534 CE
The Vandal War launched by Emperor Justinian I, aimed a reconquering Africa from the Vandals.
533 CE
Belisarius defeats the Persians to the east of the Byzantine Empire and the Vandals of Africa.
Dec 533 CE
The Digestum and Institutiones parts of Justinian's Code are released which supersedes all previous laws across the Byzantine Empire.
534 CE
Justinian of the Byzantine Empire conquers the Vandal kingdom in Africa.
535 CE
Belisarius' first campaign against the Ostrogoths in Italy.
536 CE
Rome falls to Belisarius.
536 CE - 562 CE
The Byzantine Empire conquers Italy.
c. 540 CE
The Byzantine mosaics of the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy are created.
545 CE - 550 CE
Belisarius' second campaign against in Italy against the Ostrogoths under Totila.
c. 550 CE
The Slavs advance towards Thessalonica, entering the region of the Hebrus River and the Thracian coast. Thessalonica is saved by the Roman army.
554 CE
Byzantine Empire conquers southern Iberia.
Jul 556 CE - c. Jul 572 CE
Samaritan revolt beginning in Caesarea Maritima, perhaps with Jewish support. A number of churches are destroyed and there is a significant loss of life.
565 CE - 578 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Justin II.
578 CE - 582 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Tiberius II.
c. 580 CE
The Slavs and the Avars overwhelm Greece, Thrace and Thessaly.
582 CE - 602 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Maurice.
585 CE
The Slavs march on to Constantinople, they are driven off by the Roman defence.
602 CE - 610 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Phocas.
607 CE - 627 CE
East Rome defeats Sasanian Persia.
610 CE - 641 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Heraclius.
626 CE
A coalition of Persians, Slavs, Avars and Bulgars unsuccessfully lays siege to Constantinople.
627 CE
Byzantine emperor Heraclius wins a crushing victory over the Persian army at Nineveh.
628 CE
Byzantine Empire re-takes Alexandria, Egypt, from the Persians.
636 CE
A Byzantine army is crushed by an Arab force at the battle of Yarmuk.
637 CE
Muslim invasion of the Levant. The Byzantines are driven out.
641 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine III.
641 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Heraklonas.
641 CE - 668 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Constans II.
642 CE
Byzantine Alexandria falls to the Rashidun Caliphate.
649 CE
The Rashidun Caliphate attacks Byzantine Cyprus.
654 CE
Byzantine Crete, Kos and Rhodes fall to the Rashidun Caliphate.
655 CE
A Byzantine fleet is destroyed by the Rashidun Caliphate off the coast of Lycia.
659 CE
A peace treaty is signed between the Byzantine Empire and the Rashidun Caliphate.
668 CE - 685 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine IV.
674 CE - 678 CE
The Arab Umayyad Caliphate unsuccessfully besieges Constantinople.
678 CE
First recorded use of Greek Fire in Byzantine warfare during the Arab siege of Constantinople.
679 CE
The Umayyad Caliphate is obliged by treaty to give up former Byzantine territories in the Aegean.
680 CE
A Byzantine naval fleet is defeated by the Bulgars.
680 CE - 681 CE
The Sixth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople declares the end of Monotheletism and Monoenergism.
681 CE
Byzantine emperor Constantine IV signs a peace treaty with the Bulgars.
685 CE - 695 CE
First reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian II.
c. 691 CE
Byzantine emperor Justinian II mints the first coins to depict Jesus Christ.
695 CE - 698 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Leontios.
695 CE
The usurper Leontios exiles Byzantine emperor Justinian II.
698 CE - 705 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Tiberios II.
698 CE
The Byzantine ruler Leontios is exiled by the usurper Apsimar (aka Tiberios III).
705 CE - 711 CE
Second reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian II.
705 CE
Justinian II besieges Constantinople and reinstates himself as Byzantine emperor, removing the usurper Tiberios III.
709 CE
Byzantine Tyana in Cappadocia is lost to the Arabs.
711 CE - 713 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Philippikos.
711 CE
Pope Constantine visits Constantinople at the invitation of Byzantine emperor Justinian II.
4 Nov 711 CE
The general and usurper Philippikos murders Byzantine emperor Justinian II.
713 CE - 716 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Anastasius II
716 CE - 717 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Theodosius III.
717 CE - 718 CE
Greek Fire is used by Byzantine ships to attack an Arab fleet besieging Constantinople.
717 CE - 741 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Leo III.
717 CE - 802 CE
The Isaurian dynasty, founded by Leo III, rules the Byzantine Empire.
720 CE - 721 CE
The silver miliaresion coin is introduced in the Byzantine Empire by Leo III.
726 CE
Byzantine emperor Leo III makes legal reforms, publishing his Ecloga.
730 CE
Byzantine emperor Leo III decrees that all religious icons be destroyed.
740 CE
Byzantine emperor Leo III wins a decisive victory over the Arabs at the battle of Akroinon.
741 CE - 775 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine V
744 CE
Emperor Constantine V regains the Byzantine throne from the usurper Artabasdos.
746 CE - 752 CE
Byzantine emperor Constantine V conducts successful campaigns in northern Syria and Armenia.
754 CE
The Council of Hieria declares the worship of icons by Christians as heresy.
755 CE
Byzantine emperor Constantine V instigates a persecution of Christians who worship icons.
756 CE - 775 CE
Byzantine emperor Constantine V wins a string of military victories against the Bulgars.
775 CE - 780 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Leo IV.
780 CE - 790 CE
Empress Irene rules as regent for Byzantine emperor Constantine VI.
780 CE - 797 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine VI (with Empress Irene as regent 780-790 CE).
Sep 787 CE
The Ecumenical Council of Nicaea rules an end to iconoclasm in the Byzantine Christian Church.
790 CE
Byzantine emperor Constantine VI exiles his mother and regent Empress Irene.
795 CE
Constantine VI divorces Mary of Amnia and then marries his mistress Theodote, causing the so-called Moechian Controversy, which divides the Byzantine Church.
797 CE - 802 CE
Empress Irene rules the Byzantine empire.
797 CE
Byzantine empress Irene blinds and kills her son Constantine VI.
797 CE - 802 CE
Empress Irene is the first Byzantine ruler to put an image of herself on both sides of her coinage.
802 CE - 811 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Nikephoros I.
807 CE
A peace treaty is signed between king of the Franks Charlemagne and Byzantine emperor Nikephoros I.
811 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Stavrakios.
811 CE - 813 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Michael I.
813 CE - 820 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Leo V the Armenian.
814 CE
Byzantine emperor Leo V the Armenian defeats a Bulgar army near Mesembria.
815 CE
Byzantine emperor Leo V the Armenian proclaims the veneration of icons as heresy.
820 CE - 829 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Michael II.
820 CE - 823 CE
Byzantine emperor Michael II puts down a revolt led by Thomas the Slav.
821 CE - 822 CE
Greek Fire is used by Byzantine ships to attack a Slav fleet besieging Constantinople.
Dec 821 CE - Dec 823 CE
Thomas the Slav unsuccessfully besieges Constantinople.
829 CE - 842 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Theophilos.
830 CE - 831 CE
Byzantine emperor Theophilos wins victories in Cilica and awards himself a triumph.
838 CE
The Arab Caliphate defeats a Byzantine army and captures the cities of Ankara and Amorion.
839 CE
The Byzantine empire loses Taranto in southern Italy to the western Arabs.
842 CE - 867 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Michael III.
842 CE - 855 CE
Theodora rules as regent for her son Michael III, emperor of the Byzantine empire.
855 CE - 856 CE
Michael III removes his mother Theodora, the regent, and rules alone as emperor of the Byzantine empire.
856 CE
The armies of Byzantine emperor Michael III win great victories in Cappadocia and Mesopotamia.
862 CE
Council of Sirakawan between the Armenian and Byzantine Orthodox Churches discuss Christological issues in an effort to reunify, although ultimately unsuccessful.
863 CE
Byzantine emperor Michael III sends Saint Cyril and Methodius on a mission to Moravia.
864 CE
Byzantine emperor Michael III presides over the baptism of Boris I, khan of the Bulgars.
866 CE
Byzantine emperor Michael III makes Basil the Macedonian co-emperor.
867 CE
Basil the Macedonian murders Byzantine emperor Michael III and declares himself Emperor Basil I.
867 CE - 886 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Basil I.
883 CE
A decree by Byzantine emperor Basil I is the first recorded evidence of a monastery on Mount Athos.
886 CE
Byzantine emperor Basil I is (probably) murdered by his son and successor Leo VI.
886 CE - 912 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Leo VI.
894 CE
Symeon, Tsar of the Bulgars, invades Thrace, then Byzantine territory.
1 Aug 902 CE
Byzantine Taormina on Sicily falls to Arab attacks.
904 CE
Leo of Tripoli leads an Arab force which sacks Byzantine Thessaloniki and Abydos.
912 CE - 913 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Alexander.
912 CE
Byzantine emperor Constantine VII inherits the throne but is served by four consecutive regents.
920 CE - 944 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Romanos I Lekapenos.
920 CE
Romanos I's Tome of Union reconciles the rift in the Byzantine Church caused by Leo VI's third and fourth marriages.
922 CE
Byzantine emperor Romanos I passes a law to protect the land of the peasantry.
934 CE
A Byzantine army captures Melitene in Cappadocia.
941 CE
Greek Fire is used by Romanos I's fleet against a Russian fleet attacking Constantinople.
943 CE
A Byzantine army led by John Kourkouas captures the border Mesopotamians fortresses of Nisibis, Dara, Amida, and Martyropolis.
944 CE
A Byzantine army led by John Kourkouas besieges Edessa. The Mandylion icon is taken to Constantinople
945 CE - 959 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine VII (ruled with a regent from 912 CE).
959 CE - 963 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Romanos II.
962 CE
Byzantine forces under Nikephoros Phokas sack Anazarbos and Hierapolis in Syria.
963 CE - 969 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Nikephoros II Phokas.
963 CE - 969 CE
Byzantine emperor Nikephoros II Phokas introduces the gold tetarteron coin (one-twelfth of a gold nomisma in value).
963 CE
The Great Lavra monastery on Mount Athos is founded by Saint Athanasios.
965 CE
Byzantine forces are defeated and forced out of Sicily by Muslim troops.
968 CE
Nikephoros II Phokas marches Byzantine forces as far south as Lebanon.
969 CE
Byzantine forces recapture the city of Antioch from the Arabs.
969 CE
John Tzimiskes murders Nikephoros II Phokas in the imperial Byzantine palace in Constantinople.
969 CE - 976 CE
Reign of Byzantine Emperor John I Tzimiskes.
970 CE
The Treaty of Safar makes Aleppo a client state of the Byzantine Empire.
971 CE
John I Tzimiskes and the Byzantine army defeat the Rus at Dorystolon, forcing Sviatoslav and the Rus army to retreat from Bulgaria.
972 CE
John I Tzimiskes captures Nisibis and forces the Emir of Mosul to pay tribute to the Byzantine Empire.
972 CE
Byzantine emperor John I Tzimisces uses Greek Fire to take the Bulgar capital of Preslav, then in Russian hands.
975 CE
John I Tzimiskes invades Syria, conquering several cities and forcing neighboring Muslim states such as Damascus to pay tribute to the Byzantines.
976 CE - 1025 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Basil II.
986 CE
Byzantine emperor Basil II suffers a terrible defeat to Samuel the Bulgar at Trajan's Gate.
987 CE - 989 CE
Byzantine emperor Basil II defeats the usurpers Bardas Skleros and Bardas Phokas.
988 CE - 989 CE
Byzantine emperor Basil II uses Greek Fire to attack a rebel force led by the usurper Bardas Phokas.
c. 988 CE
Byzantine emperor Basil II uses a force of Varangians for the first time.
994 CE
Trdat the Architect completes his reconstruction of the dome of Hagia Sophia, Constantinople.
995 CE
Byzantine emperor Basil II wins victories in Syria against the Fatimids.
997 CE
Byzantine emperor Basil II reconquers Greece from Samuel the Bulgar.
1014 CE
Byzantine emperor Basil II wins final victory against Samuel the Bulgar at Kleidion.
1018 CE - c. 1082 CE
Life of Byzantine minister, scholar, and historian Michael Psellos.
1021 CE - 1022 CE
Byzantine emperor Basil II wins victories in Armenia and Georgia.
1025 CE
Byzantine emperor Basil II dies and his plans to invade Sicily are abandoned.
1025 CE - 1028 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine VIII.
1025 CE - 1028 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine VIII.
1028 CE - 1034 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Romanos III Argyros.
1028 CE - 1050 CE
Reign of Byzantine Empress Zoe (including spells alongside three husbands, a nephew and sister).
1034 CE - 1041 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Michael IV the Paphalgonian.
1040 CE
The Bulgarian leader Deljan starts a major Bulgarian uprising against the Byzantine Empire.
1041 CE - 1042 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Michael V.
1042 CE - 1055 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine IX.
Apr 1042 CE - Jun 1042 CE
Reign of Byzantine empresses Zoe and Theodora.
1055 CE - 1056 CE
Reign of Byzantine Empress Theodora (alone).
1056 CE - 1057 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Michael VI.
1057 CE - 1059 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Isaac I Komnenos.
1057 CE
Isaac Komnenos and other leading military men in the Byzantine Empire rebel against Emperor Michael VI.
8 Jun 1057 CE
Isaac Komnenos is declared Byzantine emperor by imperial soldiers in Anatolia in rebellion against Emperor Michael VI.
1059 CE - 1067 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine X.
1059 CE
Isaac I Komnenos defeats the Pechenegs in battle, but loses soldiers in a storm during his march home.
1067 CE - 1071 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Romanus IV Diogenes.
1068 CE
The Normans under Robert Guiscard begin the three-year siege of Bari, the Byzantine provincial capital of southern Italy.
1071 CE - 1078 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Michael VII.
1078 CE - 1081 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Nikephoros III.
1081 CE - 1082 CE
The Normans, led by Robert Guiscard, attack Byzantine Greece.
Apr 1081 CE - Aug 1118 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos.
1082 CE
Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos grants trade access and privileges to the Venetians in return for naval support.
1083 CE - 1153 CE
Life of the Byzantine historian Anna Komnene.
1084 CE
The Normans defeat a Venetian naval force, allies of the Byzantine Empire.
1085 CE
Alexios I Komnenos recaptures Dyracchion from the Normans.
1087 CE - 1090 CE
The Pechenegs attack Byzantine Thrace.
29 Apr 1091 CE
A Byzantine army, with Cumans as allies, defeats the Pechenegs at the battle of Mount Lebounion.
1092 CE
Alexios I Komnenos introduces the electrum hyperpyron coin (worth one-third of a gold nomisma).
1095 CE
Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos quashes a rebellion led by Nikephoros Diogenes.
1097 CE
The First Crusaders capture Nicaea.
3 Jun 1098 CE
The First Crusaders capture Antioch after an 8-month siege.
c. 1100 CE
The Jesus Christ mosaic in the dome of the church at Daphni, Greece is made.
1107 CE
The Normans, led by Bohemund, besiege Dyracchion.
1108 CE
The Treaty of Devol is signed between the Byzantine Empire and the Normans, removing any Norman threat from the empire's territory.
1118 CE - 1143 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos.
1122 CE
Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos defeats the Pechenegs in the Balkans.
c. 1125 CE
The Vladimir Icon of the Virgin and Child is painted in Constantinople.
1126 CE
Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos restores the trade privileges given to the Venetians.
1129 CE
Serbia is obliged to accept Byzantine sovereignty.
1130 CE
Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos defeats the Danishmendids in Asia Minor.
1133 CE
Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos celebrates a triumph in Constantinople after five successful campaigns in Asia Minor.
c. 1137 CE
Byzantine historian Anna Komnene begins her Alexiad.
1137 CE
Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos conquers the Rubenids in Armenia and occupies the capital at Anazarbos.
1138 CE
Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos besieges and takes the city of Shaizar in Syria.
1143 CE - 1180 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos.
1144 CE - 1146 CE
Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos wins victories in Cilicia, Syria and Asia Minor.
Sep 1147 CE - Oct 1147 CE
The armies of the Second Crusade arrive in Constantinople.
1149 CE
A fleet led by George of Antioch attacks Constantinople.
1155 CE - 1157 CE
The Byzantines unsuccessfully invade southern Italy.
1158 CE
Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos signs a treaty with William I of Sicily.
1171 CE
Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos arrests 10,000 Venetian traders across the empire to limit their stranglehold on trade.
17 Sep 1176 CE
A Byzantine army is ambushed by the Seljuks at the battle of Myriokephalon in Phyrgia.
1180 CE - 1183 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Alexios II.
1183 CE - 1185 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Andronikos I.
1185 CE - 1195 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Isaac II.
1195 CE - 1203 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Alexios III.
1203 CE - 1204 CE
Joint reign of Byzantine emperors Isaac II and Alexios IV.
1204 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Alexios IV.
1204 CE
Reign of Byzantine Alexios V.
1204 CE - 1261 CE
Latin emperors rule the Byzantine Empire.
12 Apr 1204 CE
Constantinople is sacked by the Fourth Crusaders.
1259 CE - 1282 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Michael VIII.
1259 CE
Michael VIII Palaiologos makes himself co-emperor in Nicaea with John IV Laskaris.
c. 1260 CE
The wall paintings of the church of Sancta Sophia in Trebizond are made.
1261 CE
Michael VIII Palaiologos enters Constantinople and re-establishes it as the Byzantine capital.
1271 CE
Golden Horde forces under Nogai invade the Byzantine Empire.
1282 CE - 1328 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Andronikos I.
1282 CE
John II Megas Komenos of the Empire of Trebizond formally renounces his claim to the Byzantine Empire.
1293 CE - 1320 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Michael IX.
1304 CE - 1309 CE
Spanish mercenaries of the Catalan Grand Company attack the monasteries on Mount Athos.
1306 CE
The Knights Hospitaller, looking for a new base, attack Byzantine Rhodes.
1328 CE - 1341 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Andronikos III.
1341 CE - 1376 CE
First reign of Byzantine emperor John V.
1341 CE - 1354 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor John VI.
1370 CE - 1375 CE
The Byzantine manuscript the Theological Works of John VI Cantacuzenos is produced and contains many miniature paintings.
1376 CE - 1379 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Andronikos IV.
1379 CE - 1391 CE
Second reign of Byzantine emperor John V.
1390 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor John VII.
1391 CE - 1425 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor Manuel II.
1397 CE
The Knights Hospitaller buy Corinth from the Byzantine Empire.
1404 CE
Last historical mention of the Byzantine Varangian Guard.
1425 CE - 1448 CE
Reign of Byzantine emperor John VIII.
1430 CE
The Ottoman Empire grants Mount Athos and its monasteries independence in exchange for annual tribute.
1449 CE - 1453 CE
Reign of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine XI.
29 May 1453 CE
Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II sacks Constantinople.

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