THE CHRONOLOGY OF LATER ROMAN HISTORY IN THE EAST
EARLY DAYS OF THE EASTERN EMPIRE (395-565 A.D.)
The Roman Empire, permanently divided at the death of Theodosius (395) into an eastern and a western section does not, nevertheless, lose its unity as an organisation. The period of disintegration has set in, and the extinction of the western section in 476 is an event in this disintegration rather than the “fall” of an empire. It was not until 800, the year of Charlemagne’s accession, that there were really two empires, and that the term “Eastern Empire” may properly be applied. But for convenience we call the history of Arcadius and his successors that of the Eastern Roman Empire.
A.D.
395 Arcadius, co-regent, and elder son of Theodosius, continues to reign at Constantinople. The Huns ravage Asia Minor, and the Visigoths, under Alaric, rise in Mœsia and Thrace. At the death of Rufinus, the eunuch Eutropius becomes chief adviser of the emperor, supported by Gainas.
398 Alaric becomes governor of Eastern Illyricum.
399 Death of Eutropius.
401 Death of Gainas. The emperor comes entirely under the influence of his dissolute wife, Eudoxia.
408 Theodosius II succeeds his father. He is but seven years of age and is controlled by his sister Pulcheria. Alaric moves upon Rome.
410 Death of Alaric.
421 Theodosius marries Athenais (Eudocia). War breaks out with Persia.
425 Organisation of the University of Constantinople.
438 Publication of the Theodosian Code.
439 Genseric takes Carthage.
441 War with Persia. War with the Huns and Vandals continues.
442 Invasion of Thrace and Macedonia by Attila.
447 Peace of Anatolius made with the Huns.
450 Death of Theodosius. Marcian is raised to the throne by Pulcheria, whom he marries. He makes a wise ruler and resists payment of tribute to the Huns.
457 The Theodosian dynasty comes to an end with Marcian. The choice of the emperor rests with the army, and the general Aspar brings about the election of Leo I, a native of Thrace.
465 Great fire at Constantinople.
468 With the co-operation of Anthemius, Leo plans a great expedition against Genseric in Africa, but it fails through treachery of Aspar, who is executed, 469.
474 Leo I dies, leaving empire to his grandson Leo II. The latter dies the same year and Zeno, his father, reigns, but Basiliscus at once drives him out and rules for twenty months, when Zeno recovers the throne.
476 With the resignation of Romulus Augustulus the western division is definitely detached from the empire.
478-481 The Ostrogoths invade the Balkan peninsula.
483 Promulgation of the Henoticon.
488 Zeno induces Theodoric and the Ostrogoths to leave Illyricum and attack Rome.
491 At death of Zeno, Anastasius I is proclaimed emperor, through influence of the empress Ariadne, who marries him.
491-496 The Isaurian War instigated by the supporters of Longinus results favourably for Anastasius.
499 The Bulgarians invade Thrace.
502-505 Unsuccessful war with Persians, who take several provinces.
507 The “Long Wall” of Thrace is built to keep out the Goths.
514 Revolt of Vitalianus.
518 Death of Anastasius; Justin I, an illiterate Illyrian peasant, obtains the emperorship through the army. With him the empire enters on a new era. He prepares his nephew Justinian to succeed him..
527 Justinian created augustus.
528 Justin dies; Justinian I, “the great,” sole monarch. He is the chief figure of his time. His wife is the empress Theodora. He begins active warfare at once against the Arians, Jews, and pagans. Belisarius appointed commander-in-chief in the East.
529 First edition of the Justinian Code published.
530 Belisarius defeats the Persians at Dara.
531 Chosroes ascends the Persian throne.
532 Peace made with Persia. Insurrections break out in Constantinople. St. Sophia burned. Belisarius quells the riots.
533 Belisarius begins a campaign against the Vandals in Africa. The Pandects published.
534 Belisarius captures the Vandal king Gelimer and destroys his kingdom, and for this is made sole consul.
535-540 Belisarius in Italy and Sicily against the Ostrogoths. He makes himself master of Rome and other cities.
540 Recall of Belisarius. Persian invasion of Syria.
542 Repulse of the Persians. Belisarius degraded by Theodora on his return from the campaign. The great plague.
543 Totila, king of the Goths, captures Naples.
544 Belisarius proceeds to Italy against Totila.
545 Five years’ peace with Persia. Totila besieges Rome. Belisarius has not sufficient forces to resist him.
546 Capture of Rome by Totila.
547 Romans recover Rome.
548 Totila retakes Rome. Belisarius returns to Constantinople. Death of Theodora. Conspiracy against Justinian.
549 The imperial armies occupy the lands of the Lazi.
550 Slavonians and Huns invade the empire.
551 Battle of Sinigaglia. The Goths lose Sicily.
552 The eunuch Narses arrives in Italy as commander-in-chief. Recovers Rome. Defeat and death of Totila.
553 End of the Ostrogothic War.
554-557 Terrible earthquakes visit Constantinople and other cities.
558 Belisarius repels the invading Huns under Zabergan.
562 Fifty years’ peace with Persia. Narses continues his victorious career in Italy.
565 Death of Justinian.
FROM JUSTIN II TO THE DEPOSITION OF JUSTINIAN II (565-695 A.D.)
565 Justin II succeeds Justinian I. He determines to change Justinian’s unpopular system and refuses payment to an embassy of Avars, which is the cause of serious depredations in the provinces.
567 The Gepid kingdom overthrown by Lombards and Avars.
568 Lombard invasion of Italy.
571 Birth of Mohammed.
572 War breaks out with the Persians. They make several important conquests, and
574 Justin, realising his inability to govern, makes Tiberius, the captain of the guard, cæsar.
575 Peace with Persia.
576 Battle of Melitene. The Romans reach the Caspian Sea.
578 Justin dies. Tiberius emperor.
581 The imperial army led by Maurice defeats the Persians at Constantina.
582 Maurice elected emperor. Death of Tiberius.