Greetings all,

 

Today we celebrate with joy the birthday of Anna Komnene, on , December 1 in 1083 AD:

 

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

 

Anna was the daughter of Emperor Alexios I. She was a Byzantine princess, scholar, physician and teacher of medicine, hospital administrator, and historian. She authored the book "The Alexiad" which has remained an important historical source throughout the centuries.

 

Happy birthday to Anna... there should be cake!  :)

 

-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,

Today, November 24th is the start of the ancient Roman festival of Brumalia:

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

https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/busy-romans-needed-mid-winter-break-too-and-it-lasted-24-days-007233

According to the ancient calendar the Brumalia started today and went through the festival of Saturnalia, which went from Dec. 17th through Dec. 21st. During Byzantine times the Brumalia was celebrated by Justinian I and Empress Theodora, and it continued to be celebrated right up to the 11th century. Justinian and others Christianized it of course and it seems to have become a "fall going into Christmas" festival, leading to the Winter Solstice. 

The "Book of Ceremonies" written by Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitos details the celebration of the Brumalia, which included feasting and monetary gifts from the Emperor to all magistrates. 

I'm personally considering this "ancient Thanksgiving", and am celebrating accordingly!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, the archaeological report from the site of the Agaios Herakleios church in the village of Kofinu in Cyprus:

https://www.gov.cy/en/culture/completion-of-the-excavation-at-the-site-of-kofinou-agios-herakleios-and-menogeia-limnes/

https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/ancient-church-and-lost-pottery-workshop-rewrite-cyprus-early-byzantine-story

An interesting end of dig report of Byzantine era finds!  

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today, we commemorate the crowning of  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 celebrate the life of Emperor Constantine VII who passed on this day - November 9th in 959 AD:

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

He was one of the most learned Emperors, and the author of four books: De Administrando Imperio, De Ceremoniis, and De Thematibus . His De Ceremoniis gives us nearly all of what we know about the Royal Court of Constantinople and its ceremonies.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the birth of Emperor Constans II on November 7th in 630 AD:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constans_II

Constans II was the son of Emperor Heraclius and he was the last Emperor to serve in the office of Consul, although the office continued to exist on record until 886 AD. In 663 he  visited Rome for 12 days and was the first Eastern Emperor to have visited there since 476 AD.

The first Byzantine Themes were created during the rule of Constans II.

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus