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667 B.C.
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The ancient city of Byzantium (the future Constantinople and Istanbul) is founded, according to legend, by Megarian colonists.
330 AD
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Constantine founds the new capital of the Roman Empire on the existing site of the ancient Greek city Byzantium: Byzantium was renamed Constantinople and it would become the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
395 AD
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The Roman Empire divides in half, with the Eastern Roman Empire based in Constantinople and the Western Roman Empire based in Rome/Ravenna.
476 AD
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The Western Empire Falls: The Eastern Empire survives and now is labeled as the Byzantine Empire.
526 AD
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Justinian's reign begins. He reconquers parts of the fallen Western Empire (Africa and Italy, Spain). He codifies the Previous Roman Laws into one document. Constantinople is the most glorious city in europe, with 500,000 inhabitants. The Hagia Sofia is constructed. Justinian is the last emperor to use the title "Caesar".
527 AD
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Justinian crowned emperor
537 AD
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Hagia Sophia is built
568 AD
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Lombards invade Italy, eventually taking Northern Italy from the Byzantines.
610 AD
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Heraclius becomes emperor. Temporary possession of Mesopotamia. The theme system is installed. The Empire's language changes to Greek. Eventual Lost of Syria, Palestine, and Egypt to Muslims.
690 AD
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Loss of North Africa to Muslims.
693 AD
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Muslims attack Constantinople.
717 AD - 718 AD
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A large Muslim force besiege Constantinople by land and sea. The attack is held off.
721 AD
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Regains control of Asia Minor from the Muslims
726 AD
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Emperor Leo III bans the use of Icons.
800 AD
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Charlemagne, king of the Franks, is crowned "Emperor of the Romans" by Pope Leo III in Rome. For the first time in 300 years, there is an emperor of the "East" and an emperor of the "West".
843 AD
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The use of Icons is restored.
917 AD
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Bulgars under Symeon overrun Thrace.
924 AD
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Bulgars unsuccessfully attack Constantinople unsuccessfully.
941 AD
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Prince Igor of Kiev attacks Bithynia and later attacks Constantinople: The Byzantines destroys the Russian fleet.
976 AD
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Basil II becomes Emperor.
992 AD
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Venetians granted extensive trading rights in the Byzantine Empire
995 AD
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Basil II reconquers Syria from the Muslims.
996 AD
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Basil II reconquers Greece from Bulgars.
1014 AD
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Basil II destroys the Bulgar army, earning the epithet Bulgaroktonos ("Bulgar Slayer").
1054 AD
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The Great Schism: The Latin Roman Church and the Greek Orthodox Church excommunicate each other.
1055 AD
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Loss of southern Italy to the Normans.
1071 AD
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Defeat at Manzikert to the Seljuk Turks. Permanent loss of most of Asia Minor.
1075 AD
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Loss of Syria to Muslims.
1087 AD
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Byzantines defeated in Thrace.
1095 AD
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Alexius appeals to Urban II at Council of Piacenza for help against the Turks. The First Crusade is proclaimed at Council of Clermont.
1096 AD
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Crusaders arrive at Constantinople. The Crusaders are successful, but eventually withdraw from cooperation with the Byzantines.
1121 AD
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Reconquest of southwestern Asia Minor.
1179 AD
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Byzantine Army defeated by the Sultanate of Rum at Myriokephalon. Hopes of regaining Asia Minor are lost.
1202 AD
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Fourth Crusade is assembled at Venice.
1204 AD
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Fourth Crusade captures Constantinople. The Latin Empire of Constantinople is formed as well as many Byzantine successor states. The capture of Constantinople in 1204 was a blow from which the Byzantines never fully recovered.
1261 AD
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The successor state of Nicaea recaptures Constantinople and restores the Byzantine Empire.
1453 AD
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Fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans. End of the Byzantine Empire.