From the Roman Empire to Byzantium

  The transition from the Roman to the Byzantine Empire was a gradual process marked by political, cultural, and religious shifts. After Constantine’s establishment of Constantinople, the eastern part of the Roman Empire became more distinct, with Greek culture becoming increasingly dominant. The fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century left Byzantium as the sole heir to the Roman legacy. Over the centuries, the Byzantine Empire adapted Roman legal and administrative practices, culminating in the Corpus Juris Civilis, or Justinian Code, in the 6th century. This legal compilation became a foundation for later European legal systems and highlighted Byzantium’s role as a preserver of Roman law.

 1. Founding of Constantinople (330 AD)

   - Description: Emperor Constantine the Great officially dedicated Byzantium as the new capital of the Roman Empire, renaming it Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). This event marked the beginning of the city’s significance as the center of the Eastern Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire.

 2. Division of the Roman Empire (395 AD)

   - Description: Upon the death of Emperor Theodosius I, the Roman Empire was permanently divided into the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. The Eastern Roman Empire, with its capital in Constantinople, continued as the Byzantine Empire after the fall of the Western Empire in 476 AD.

 3. Nika Riots (532 AD)

   - Description: A major uprising against Emperor Justinian I’s rule erupted during the chariot races in Constantinople. The riots were suppressed with significant violence, resulting in the deaths of thousands and the destruction of much of the city. The event underscored the volatility of Byzantine politics and the power of the emperor.

 4. Codification of Roman Law (529-534 AD)

   - Description: Emperor Justinian I commissioned the compilation and codification of Roman laws into the *Corpus Juris Civilis* (Body of Civil Law). This monumental legal work had a lasting impact on the development of legal systems in Europe and remains a foundational text in civil law traditions.

 5. Iconoclast Controversy (726-843 AD)

   - Description: This period of conflict over the use of religious images (icons) within the Byzantine Empire led to significant theological and political disputes. The controversy resulted in the temporary ban on icons, followed by their restoration, and had a profound impact on Byzantine religious practices and politics.

 6. The Great Schism (1054 AD)

   - Description: The formal split between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church occurred in 1054. This event was a culmination of long-standing theological, political, and cultural differences between the Byzantine (Eastern Orthodox) and Latin (Roman Catholic) branches of Christianity.

 7. Fall of Constantinople (1453 AD)

   - Description: The Byzantine Empire came to an end when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks led by Sultan Mehmed II. This event marked the end of Byzantine rule and the beginning of Ottoman dominance in the region, significantly altering the political and cultural landscape of Europe and the Middle East.