Greetings all,

Today  we celebrate General Belisarius' victory over the Vandals  in the Battle of Tricamarum on December 15th in 533 AD:

The battle was fought in Northern Africa and effectively ended the power of the Vandals. North Africa and shortly after all other Vandal territory soon came under Roman rule.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In the news, a fresco portrait of the last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, has been found during excavations in the of Aigeialiaery of the Archangels  of Aigeialia in Greece:

https://greekreporter.com/2024/12/12/sole-surviving-portrait-last-byzantine-emperor-greece

This portrait was made while the Emperor was still alive, so is likely to be accurate. An amazing find!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 Greetings all,

 

Today, December 6th is the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas of Myra:

 

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

Saint Nicholas remains one of the best remembered and most venerated of Saints due to his amazing life and legacy. I hope all are able to reflect on his wonderful life and continuing legacy today!

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 
Greetings all,

Today we celebrate the first "foundation ceremonies" (Consecratia Deo) for the City of Constantinople, in which Constantine I affirmed it as the new capital of the Empire on November 26th in 328 AD:,

https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/constantine-i-great-roman-emperor

Constantine allowed Imperial astronomers to cast horoscopes for the city, and allowed Classical priests to perform their rites. This was apparently a precursor to the official "dedication" of Constantinople which happened on May 11th in 330 AD.

There should be cake!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Tomorrow, November 24th is the festival of Brumalia:

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

Originally an ancient Roman holiday it continued to be officially celebrated in the Eastern Roman Empire until at least 1204 AD.

In the Imperial Court, the Brumalia was celebrated with feasting, candle light, dancing and singing -  all the themes of an indoor Winter holiday celebrating plenty after the harvests. Well wishes were given to the Emperor, and the Emperor distributed gifts of gold and fine cloth to Imperial officers and ministers according to a system of rank. On the morning after the Brumalia the Emperor would hold an "intimate" meal (for only 30 people or so!) where the celebrations were concluded.

I hope all can enjoy this ancient harvest/Winter celebration! Please do something special for yourself and your family!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

Mezazon of Byzantium Novum 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today, we commemorate Libius Severus, who became Emperor of the West on November 19th in 461 AD:

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

He was elected to the position by the Roman Senate in Ravenna, but his rule was dominated by Count Ricimer. Severus was not recognized by Leo I, Emperor of the East, but there was still some collaboration between the two courts in various affairs and the choosing of Consuls. Surprisingly for a Western Emperor during this period Libius Severus seems to have died a natural death.

-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