The Byzantine dynasties

The Byzantine dynasties

The Byzantine Empire, a continuation of the Roman Empire in the East, boasted a rich tapestry of rulers who shaped its history over the centuries. From its founding to its fall in 1453, the empire was governed by a succession of emperors, each contributing to its complex political and cultural legacy. Here, we present a list of the Byzantine emperors organized by their respective dynasties, along with their reign dates.

Constantinian Dynasty (306–363)

  • Constantine I "the Great" – 306–337
  • Constantius II – 337–361
  • Julian "the Apostate" – 361–363

Non-dynastic (363-364)

  • Jovian – 363–364

Valentinianic Dynasty (364–379)

  • Valentinian I - 364
  • Valens – 364–378
  • Gratian - 378-379

Theodosian Dynasty (379–457)

  • Theodosius I "the Great" – 379–395
  • Arcadius – 395–408
  • Theodosius II – 408–450
  • Marcian – 450–457

Leonid Dynasty (457–518)

  • Leo I "the Butcher" – 457–474
  • Leo II "the Little" – 474
  • Zeno – 474–491
  • Basiliscus – 475–476
  • Anastasius I "Dicorus" – 491–518

Justinian Dynasty (518–602)

  • Justin I – 518–527
  • Justinian I "the Great" – 527–565
  • Justin II – 565–578
  • Tiberius II Constantine – 578–582
  • Maurice Tiberius – 582–602

Non-dynastic (602–610)

  • Phocas – 602–610

Heraclian Dynasty (610–711)

  • Heraclius – 610–641
  • Heraclius Constantine – 641
  • Heraclonas – 641
  • Constans II "the Bearded" – 641–668
  • Constantine IV "the Younger" – 668–685
  • Justinian II "the Slit-nosed" – 685–695

Twenty Years' Anarchy (695-717)

  • Leontios – 695–698
  • Tiberius III – 698–705
  • Justinian II "the Slit-nosed" – 705-711
  • Philippicus - 711-713
  • Anastasius II - 713-715
  • Theodosius III - 715-717

Isaurian Dynasty (717–802)

  • Leo III "the Isaurian" – 717–741
  • Constantine V "the Dung-named" – 741–775
  • Leo IV "the Khazar" – 775–780
  • Constantine VI – 780–797
  • Irene of Athens – 797–802

Nikephorian Dynasty (802–813)

  • Nikephoros I "the Logothete" – 802–811
  • Staurakios – 811
  • Michael I Rangabe – 811–813

Non-dynastic (813-820)

  • Leo V "the Armenian" – 813–820

Amorian Dynasty (820–867)

  • Michael II "the Amorian" – 820–829
  • Theophilos – 829–842
  • Michael III "the Drunkard" – 842–867

Macedonian Dynasty (867–1056)

  • Basil I "the Macedonian" – 867–886
  • Leo VI "the Wise" – 886–912
  • Alexander – 912–913
  • Constantine VII "the Purple-born" – 913–959
  • Romanos I Lekapenos – 920–944 (co-emperor with Constantine VII)
  • Romanos II – 959–963
  • Nikephoros II Phokas – 963–969
  • John I Tzimiskes – 969–976
  • Basil II "the Bulgar-Slayer" – 976–1025
  • Constantine VIII – 1025–1028
  • Romanos III Argyros – 1028–1034
  • Michael IV "the Paphlagonian" – 1034–1041
  • Michael V "the Caulker" – 1041–1042
  • Zoe "the Purple-born" – 1042
  • Constantine IX Monomachos – 1042–1055
  • Theodora "the Purple-born" – 1055–1056

Non-dynastic (1056-1057)

  • Michael VI - 1056-1057

Komnenid Dynasty (1081–1185)

  • Isaac I Komnenos – 1057–1059

Doukid Dynasty (1059–1081)

  • Constantine X Doukas – 1059–1067
  • Romanos IV Diogenes – 1068–1071
  • Michael VII Doukas – 1071–1078
  • Nikephoros III Botaneiates – 1078–1081

Komnenid Dynasty (1081–1185)

  • Alexios I Komnenos – 1081–1118
  • John II Komnenos – 1118–1143
  • Manuel I Komnenos – 1143–1180
  • Alexios II Komnenos – 1180–1183
  • Andronikos I Komnenos – 1183–1185

Angelid Dynasty (1185–1204)

  • Isaac II Angelos – 1185–1195, 1203–1204
  • Alexios III Angelos – 1195–1203
  • Alexios IV Angelos – 1203–1204
  • Alexios V Doukas – 1204

    Laskarid Dynasty (Empire of Nicaea, 1204–1261)

    • Theodore I Laskaris – 1204–1222
    • John III Vatatzes – 1222–1254
    • Theodore II Laskaris – 1254–1258
    • John IV Laskaris – 1258–1261

    Palaiologan Dynasty (1261–1453)

    • Michael VIII Palaiologos – 1261–1282
    • Andronikos II Palaiologos – 1282–1328
    • Andronikos III Palaiologos – 1328–1341
    • John V Palaiologos – 1341–1376 (first reign)
    • Andronikos IV Palaiologos - 1376-1379
    • John V Palaiologos – 1379 - 1390 (second reign)
    • John VII Palaiologos - 1390-1390
    • John V Palaiologos – 1390 - 1391 (third reign)
    • Manuel II Palaiologos – 1391–1425
    • John VIII Palaiologos – 1425–1448
    • Constantine XI Palaiologos – 1449–1453


    These emperors and their dynasties played crucial roles in shaping the Byzantine Empire's political landscape and cultural heritage. From the visionary reign of Constantine I to the fall of Constantinople under Constantine XI, each ruler's legacy is woven into the rich fabric of Byzantine history, influencing not only the empire but the course of European and Middle Eastern history as well. As we explore these remarkable figures, we gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring impact of the Byzantine Empire on our world today.

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