The Byzantine Empire, often known as the Eastern Roman Empire, lasted for more than a thousand years and had a major impact on Mediterranean history. The empire had several rulers during its existence from 330 AD to its demise in 1453, and it underwent significant events that affected politics, society, and religion. We’ll travel across time in this blog post as we examine the significant rulers and occasions that shaped the Byzantine Empire’s history.
| Year | Emperor | Events |
| 527 | Justinian I | Justinian’s Code, Hagia Sophia construction |
| 610 | Heraclius | Byzantine-Sasanian War, recovery of True Cross |
| 717 | Leo III | Siege of Constantinople by the Umayyads |
| 780 | Irene | Becomes the first empress regnant |
| 843 | Theodora | Restoration of icons |
| 1054 | Theodora | East-West Schism |
| 1081 | Alexios I Komnenos | Start of the Komnenian Restoration |
| 1095 | Alexios I Komnenos | Byzantine request for the First Crusade |
| 1204 | Alexios I Komnenos | Fourth Crusade, Sack of Constantinople |
| 1261 | Michael VIII | Recapture of Constantinople |
| 1347 | John VI Kantakouzenos | Byzantine civil war |
| 1453 | Constantine XI | Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire |
| 1453 | Constantine XI | End of the Byzantine Empire |
| 1453 | Mehmed the Conqueror | Establishment of the Ottoman Empire |
| 1922 | Mehmed VI | End of the Ottoman Empire |
| 1935 | Mehmed VI | Abolition of the last Ottoman sultanate |
| 330 | Constantine I | Founding of Constantinople |
| 395 | Theodosius I | Final division of the Roman Empire |
| 476 | Romulus Augustulus | Fall of the Western Roman Empire |
| 527 | Justin I | Adoption of the Justinian Code |
| 565 | Justin II | Invasion of the Lombards |
| 610 | Phocas | Overthrow and execution of Maurice |
| 641 | Heraclius Constantine | Byzantine-Arab Wars |
| 668 | Constantine IV | Siege of Constantinople by the Arabs |
| 717 | Leo III | Iconoclasm controversy |
| 726 | Leo III | Emperor’s iconoclastic edict |
| 800 | Irene of Athens | Crowning of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor |
| 811 | Nikephoros I | Battle of Pliska against the Bulgars |
| 843 | Theodora | Treaty of Verdun, division of Carolingian Empire |
| 886 | Basil I | Founding of the Macedonian Dynasty |
| 907 | Alexander | Failed reconquest of Crete |
| 976 | Basil II | Expansion of Byzantine territory |
| 1054 | Michael I Cerularius | Great Schism |
| 1071 | Romanos IV | Defeat at the Battle of Manzikert |
| 1081 | Alexios I Komnenos | Restoration of Byzantine Empire |
| 1204 | Romaniae | Latin Empire established in Constantinople |
| 1261 | Michael VIII | Reconquest of Constantinople |
In a changing globe, the Byzantine Empire served as a bastion of civilisation. The empire saw the rise and fall of emperors, navigated through wars and conflicts, and made significant contributions to art, law, and religion from its modest beginnings in the 4th century to its spectacular end in the 15th. The intricate and rich history of the Byzantine Empire continues to enthral scholars and fans alike, serving as a constant reminder of the lasting impact of this amazing civilisation.
We obtain a greater comprehension of the Byzantine Empire’s influence and significance as we think back on the significant emperors and occasions that moulded it. The Byzantine Empire, despite its final fall, is still indelibly etched into the annals of human history, serving as a constant reminder of the intricacies of political power, intercultural communication, and the enduring impact of empires.
