Constantinople

Definition

Built in the seventh century BCE, the ancient city of Byzantium proved to be a valuable city for both the Greeks and Romans. Because it lay on the European side of the Strait of Bosporus, the Emperor Constantine understood its strategic importance and upon reuniting the empire in 324 CE built his new capital there – Constantinople.

More about: Constantinople

Timeline

  • 272 CE
    Possible year of Emperor Constantine's birth.
  • 308 CE
    Constantine I named "caesar" of the west.
  • 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.
  • 337 CE
    Death of Constantine.
  • 337 CE
    Death of Emperor Constantine I.
  • 360 CE
    First Hagia Sophia built in Constantinople.
  • 363 CE
    Death of Julian the Apostate.
  • 379 CE - 395 CE
    Reign of Theodosius the Great.
  • 391 CE
    Christianity becomes official religion of Empire.
  • 410 CE - 413 CE
    The Theodosian Walls are built to better protect Constantinople.
  • 1 Apr 527 CE
    Coronation of Justinian I and Theodora in the Hagia Sophia Church in Constantinople.
  • 532 CE
    Nika Revolt in Constantinople.
  • 532 CE
    Hagia Sophia rebuilt by Justinian.
  • 532 CE - 537 CE
    Hagia Sophia is built anew in Constantinople.
  • 626 CE
    A coalition of Persians, Slavs, Avars and Bulgars unsuccessfully lays siege to Constantinople.
  • 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.
  • 705 CE
    Justinian II besieges Constantinople and reinstates himself as Byzantine emperor, removing the usurper Tiberios III.
  • 711 CE
    Pope Constantine visits Constantinople at the invitation of Byzantine emperor Justinian II.
  • 717 CE - 718 CE
    Greek Fire is used by Byzantine ships to attack an Arab fleet besieging Constantinople.
  • 730 CE
    Byzantine emperor Leo III decrees that all religious icons be destroyed.
  • 741 CE - 775 CE
    Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine V
  • 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.
  • 867 CE - 886 CE
    Reign of Byzantine emperor Basil I.
  • 907 CE
    Oleg, Prince of Kiev, attacks the Byzantine capital Constantinople.
  • 941 CE
    Greek Fire is used by Romanos I's fleet against a Russian fleet attacking Constantinople.
  • 976 CE - 1025 CE
    Reign of Byzantine emperor Basil II.
  • 994 CE
    Trdat the Architect completes his reconstruction of the dome of Hagia Sophia, Constantinople.
  • 1025 CE - 1028 CE
    Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine VIII.
  • 1097 CE
    The First Crusaders arrive at Constantinople.
  • 1133 CE
    Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos celebrates a triumph in Constantinople after five successful campaigns in 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.
  • 1202 CE - 1204 CE
    The Fourth Crusade is formed to recapture Jerusalem for Christendom. Instead, the Crusaders attack Constantinople.
  • 24 Jun 1203 CE
    The army of the Fourth Crusade arrives at Constantinople.
  • 12 Apr 1204 CE
    Constantinople is sacked by the Fourth Crusaders.
  • 9 May 1204 CE
    Count Baldwin of Flanders is made the first Latin Emperor of Constantinople.
  • 29 May 1453 CE
    Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II sacks Constantinople.
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