Islamic Timeline of RevelationOpen on the timeline →Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire)
Also known as Eastern Roman Empire, Romania
The Byzantine Empire was the continuation of the Roman Empire in the east, ruled from Constantinople and shaped by Greek culture and Orthodox Christianity. It lost Syria and Egypt to the early caliphate in the 7th century but survived for another eight centuries. Constantinople fell to the Ottomans in 1453.
Key facts
| Dates | 395 CE – 1453 CE |
|---|---|
| Region | Greece, Rome & Byzantium |
| Continent | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| Capital | Constantinople |
| Religion(s) | Christianity (Eastern Orthodox) |
| Peak extent | ≈ 2.7 million km² (c. 555 CE) – source |
Before & after
Preceded by
Roman Empire Vandal Kingdom Latin Empire Ostrogothic Kingdom First Bulgarian Empire Empire of Nicaea Bosporan Kingdom Bagratid Armenia Emirate of Crete Emirate of Bari Mauro-Roman Kingdom
Followed by
Ottoman Empire Rashidun Caliphate Latin Empire Empire of Trebizond Sultanate of Rum Second Bulgarian Empire Empire of Nicaea Kingdom of Cyprus Aydinids Kingdom of the Lombards Principality of Achaea Duchy of Athens Despotate of Epirus Despotate of the Morea Emirate of Crete Emirate of Bari
In the Islamic timeline
- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — The Prophet ﷺ sent a letter to Emperor Heraclius (Sahih al-Bukhari 7).
- Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (al-Tayyar) (RA) — Martyred at Mu'tah (629) against Byzantine forces.
- Zayd ibn Harithah (RA) — Commander killed at Mu'tah (629).
- Khalid ibn al-Walid (Sayf Allah) (RA) — Defeated the Byzantines at Yarmouk (636).
- Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah (RA) — Led the conquest of Byzantine Syria.
- Umar ibn al-Khattab (al-Faruq) (RA) — Received the surrender of Jerusalem (637/638).
- Amr ibn al-As (RA) — Conquered Byzantine Egypt.
- Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan (RA) — Fought the Byzantines by land and sea; besieged Constantinople.
- Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Khalid ibn Zayd) (RA) — Died during a campaign against Constantinople.
- Christianity (al-Nasara) — Centre of Orthodox Christianity.
Sources
Dates follow widely used reference works; many ancient dates are approximate or debated. Neutral summary for general reference.