Friday, March 29, 2024

 

Greetings all,

In recent news - some research on why the City of Hadrianopolis was abandoned in the 7th Century AD:


Named after the Emperor Hadrian, this city had one of the oldest Byzantine churches in Greece. A new theory believes that earthquake damage may have been the reason for the city's abandonment.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus
www.byzantiumnovum.org
 

 

Thursday, March 28, 2024

 

Greetings all,

It seems that today was the day Constantinople was renamed "Istanbul" on March 28th in 1930:


The Greek Reporter article reminds that both names are Greek words. While that's nice I personally feel it misses the point.

I personally believe that "Istanbul" is the name of the modern layer that sits on top of historical Constantinople. The two aren't blended and changed together, they're forever separated by design, intent and civilization. Ancient Constantinople can't change Istanbul - and Istanbul can't reach into the past and somehow change Constantinople, the city of  the Emperor Constantine.

I myself am not angry about this. MOST of the ancient world has been forcibly ended and built over, everywhere. I dislike that but it's how the world works. It is simply an inspiration to build anew rather than a cause for resentment or anger.

The Emperor Constantine would be the last person to decry Istanbul, or dream that it could somehow be removed or go away. Constantine was a complete pragmatist. I believe he'd say "Well bugger this, I'll go make a better one!"  If Constantine could abandon Rome, he could abandon Istanbul and make another Constantinople somewhere else.  A patch of ground, no matter how historical, is not the Ideal.

Sure, ancient history getting covered over is very sad. But that doesn't mean it's dead -  and you don't have to fight over it in order for it to live again.

That's why Byzantium Novum is here after all... :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus
www.byzantiumnovum.org
 
 
 

 


Wednesday, March 27, 2024

 

Greetings all,

In the news - the discovery of many Byzantine era amphorae off the coast of Greece:


Looks like a good discovery, and it's great to see something happening in Byzantine archaeolory.

Besides, I was *wondering* what happened to the shipment of olive oil I ordered...  :P

-Marcus Cassius Julianus
www.byzantiumnovum.org
 
 

 

Monday, March 25, 2024

 Greetings all, 


Also on this day we commemorate the birth of Emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos on March 25th in 1297 AD:



He was a moderately successful ruler during turbulent times. His administration was effective at home and he did manage to recover some territory from the Ottomans. 

There should be cake! :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus
 
 
 

 

Thursday, March 21, 2024

 

Greetings all,
 
On this day we commemorate with joy the return of the True Cross to Jerusalem by the Emperor Heraclius on March 21st in 630 AD:,
 
 
 
The Cross had been on display in Constantinople for two years after it had been retaken from the Persians. Heraclius' victory was a huge morale boost for the Empire and which inspired it for centuries to come. Part of the True Cross remains at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to this day.

There should be cake!  :)
 
-Marcus Cassius Julianus
www.byzantiumnovum.org
 
 
 

 

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

 

Greetings all,

In the news - an article about the Byzantine Sundial Calendar:



I seem to recall another article on this a few months back, but it's always good to see Byzantine things in the public eye!   :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus
 
 
 

 

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

Greetings all,

Apparently there has been a discovery of 46 different sites in Greece, ranging from Neolithic to Byzantine:




Not a bad set of finds!

Marcus Cassius Julianus