Greetings all,

On this Day we reflect on young Leo II being appointed as co-Emperor alongside his father Zeno on January 29th in 474 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_II_(emperor)

Leo II was 7 years old at the time, and had already been co-Emperor with is grandfather Leo I, and had "ruled" as sole Emperor from January 18th 474, a total of 11 days. Sadly he died of illness later in the year.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this day, January 19th in 379 AD, the Emperor Gratian elevated Flavius Theodosius to the rank of Augustus, and gave him authority over the Eastern Roman Empire:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratian

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodosius_I

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the life of Emperor Leo I (the Thracian) who passed on November 18th in 473 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_I_the_Thracian

He had a mostly successful reign in which he made serious efforts to aid the Western Empire. He was also canonized as a Saint, and his feast day is January 20th. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

Today we reflect with sadness the full beginning of the Nika Riots in Constantinople on January 13th in 532 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nika_riots

The riot lasted a week. At its end 30,000 people would be dead, half the city burned and several Senators executed. Hardly " Victory."

Contemplation and prayers are appropriate in memory of this sad event.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

In the news, a Byzantine era monastery site with a central church has been discovered in upper Egypt: 

 

https://arkeonews.net/byzantine-era-monastic-complex-discovered-in-sohag-egypt/

 

It is believed to be the oldest Christian site in Egypt and archaeology is ongoing. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the Emperor Zeno being forced to flee Constantinople on January 9th in 475 AD, after his general Basiliscus gained control of the Empire:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeno_(emperor)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basiliscus

Although a moderately successful Emperor, Zeno was unpopular with the Senate due to his Isaurian origins. A plot against him led by Basiliscus forced Zeno to flee to Isauria, where he shut himself up in a fortress. He later returned to govern Constantinople again after the coalition against him broke up, and Basiliscus proved to be a disastrous leader.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the reign of Andronikos III, the Emperor of Trebizond who passed on January 8th in 1332 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andronikos_III_of_Trebizond

There is little information about his reign as he died of the bubonic plague after reigning for only 15 months.  Served him right apparently, as he had two of his three brothers put to death upon taking the throne. :(

Nothing like making sure you have a positive legacy, I guess? 

His third brother Michael managed to flee to Constantinople, and he later became Emperor of Trebizond after Andronikos III's death. Michael's reign was period of much needed stability for Trebizond.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus