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Constantine was born on February 27, after 280 CE in Naissus, Moesia and died May 22, 337, Ancyrona, near Nicomedia, Bithynia
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Constantine the Great ruled
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When he was going to fight, he saw a sign which is a cross and pi sign with the first two letters of Christ's name. He also claims to have heard a voice saying: "By this sign he will conquer"
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Constantine in alliance with Licinius defeated Maxtentius at the Milvian Bridge, over the Tiber River, when Maxtentius drowned.
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Constantine and Licinius proclaimed toleration to all religions in the empire, even though it didn't last long.
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Theodosius was born on January 11, 347 CE in Cauca, Gallaecia and died January 17, 395 in Mediolanum
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Theodosius I ruled
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Without consulting the ecclesiastical authorities, he issued an official order prescribing a creed in order to include all individuals.
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The Gothic War took place between 376-382.
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Theodosius I successively defeated the usurper Magnus Maximus. Theodosius saw himself obligated to fight against Magnus Maximus, since he murdered Gratian and proclaimed himself emperor of the west.
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Justinian was born in 483 in Tauresium, Dardania and died November 14, 565 in Constantinople
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Justinian the Great ruled
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The populace was angry over the raise of taxes. Justinian told people to gather in the Hippodrome to passively talk about it, but he shut the gate and the soldiers killed everyone in the Hippodrome.
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The Hagia Sophia was a christian church built in 6 years. It was built so that Justinian could demonstrate he is a strong emperor, even after the Nika Riots.
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It was one of the deadliest plagues in history, caused by pests. Justinian claimed that it was a sign from the gods against him.
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Heraclius was born on 575 in Cappadocia and died February 11, 641 in Constantinople
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Heraclius I ruled
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In 620 CE, Heraclius changed the official language of the empire from latin to greek
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He tried to promote Monothelitism, a teaching in which the divine and human relate in the person of Jesus.
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Heraclius returned the True Cross, which is one of the most important relics for Christianity, to Jerusalem
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Irene was born on 752 in Athens and died August 9, 803 in Lesbos
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Irene ended with iconoclasm, which is the destruction of religious images or paintings
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Irene of Athens was the first empress of the Byzantine Empire
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Irene of Athens also known as Irene Sarantapechaina ruled. She also ruled as empress consort from 775 to 780, and empress dowager and regent from 780 to 797
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Irene was banished, after she tried to negotiate a marriage with Charlemagne, so patricians conspired against her and she was banished
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Basil was born on 957/958 and died December 15, 1025
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Basil II ruled
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Zoe was born on 978 in Constantinople and died on 1050 in Constantinople
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Basil II had to cancel a rebellion led by the aristocrat Bardas Skleros, a general who continued in the privileged position he had enjoyed under previous emperors.
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She was born on 980 and died August 31, 1056
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From 986 until 1014 there was warfare between Byzantium and Bulgaria.Year by year he slowly advanced into Tsar Samuel’s territory. Finally, he advanced toward Samuel’s capital and won when he left one eye to each 100th soldier
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Basil was a peaceful man and is known for carrying a statue of the Virgin to Battle. There are many battle where he carried Mary the Virgin. (995: War in Syria - example)
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Empress Zoe ruled
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Michael IV the Paphlagonian banished Zoe to a monastery, at her age of 56
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Zoe turned the Hagia Sophia into a mosque
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Theodora and Zoe were sisters and they always fought for power. Zoe adopted a child to raise to power. In 1042, Theodora was made co-empress
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Empress Theodora Porphyrogenita ruled
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After her sister's death in 1050, she was fierce enough to oppose court officials and military. Theodora was a strong empress, but shortly after, she became ill and died
