Greetings all,

On this day we reflect on the publishing of the second code of the Emperor Justinian I on December 30th in 504 AD:

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

This was a reformation of ancient Roman legal codes. The Code of Justinian was one of the three parts of a larger effort called the Corpus Juris Civilis, all three parts were published during Justinian I's reign.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In the news, an article about the Byzantine empire in conflict with the Vikings:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/12/26/byzantine-empire-fought-vikings/

Pretty well done and a nice introductory piece on the Viking attach on Constantinople!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this day we celebrate the crowning of Majorian as Emperor of the West on  December 28th in 457 AD:

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

Majorian was recognized as Emperor of the West by Constantinople, and he and Emperor Leo I were jointly made consuls at this time.  Majorian was a successful commander who retook most of the Province of Gaul for Rome, and the historian Gibbon Majorian "presents the welcome discovery of a great and heroic character, such as sometimes arise, in a degenerate age, to vindicate the honour of the human species".

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

In the news, an article on "Neo Byzantines" celebrating Christmas:

https://neoskosmos.com/en/2023/12/23/dialogue/opinion/diatribe-neobyzantine-christmas/

I'm not sure what to make of it, but it was interesting!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the Emperor Diocletian on December 22 in 244 AD:

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

 

As Emperor he was the first to divide the Roman Empire between East and West, setting the stage in which the Eastern Roman Empire began its unique history.

There should be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In the News - an article on how the Byzantine Empire saved Civilization:

https://stream.org/empire-of-god-how-the-christian-byzantine-empire-saved-civilization/

It is an interview with Robert Spencer on his new book "Empire of God". I've ordered a copy and am looking forward!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In the news, an interesting article on the AIMA prophecy during the Komnenos Dynasty between 1080 and 1204 AD:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/12/20/blood-prophecy-byzantine-emperor/

An interesting story and it's amazing that it stayed relevant for so long!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In the news - an article on 10 Byzantine Inventions:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/12/15/byzantine-inventions-used-today/

The article says the inventions are "still in use today" - but honestly I can't even recall the last time I fired a Trebuchet at someone or pumped Greek Fire on their boat... :P

Great to see the Empire in the news in any case!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this Day we commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Emperor John VIII Palaiologos on  December 18th in 1392 AD:

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

There should be cake!  :)

He was the eldest son of Manuel II Palaiologos and Helena Dragas, and was co-Emperor with is father before 1416 and became sole Emperor in 1425. John VIII successfully supervised the defense of Constantinople during an Ottoman siege by the forces of Murad II and tried to secure help from the West by consenting to a union of the Greek and Roman churches. Although this failed he was able to keep possession of Constantinople. John VIII was the last Byzantine Emperor to die of natural causes.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today, December 17th is the beginning of the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia which runs until December 23:

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

This was a time of celebration, feasting and the giving of candle gifts to celebrate the returning of longer light after the Winter Solstice.

It seems uncertain how late Saturnalia continued to be publicly celebrated in Byzantium, but it was certainly present in the time of Constantine and his successors through Justinian I. No doubt it was increasingly subsumed by festival days for Saints, and of course Christmas! Even so this festival from before the Republic would have been remembered throughout Byzantine history.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this day we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Manuel III of Trebizond on  December 16th in 1364 AD:

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

He was the son of Emperor Alexios III of Trebizond and EmpressTheodora Kantakouzene. During Manuel III's reign Trebizond was under great danger from the Ottoman Empire. However Manuel III's victory over the Turko-Mongol forces of Tamerlane at the Battle of Ankara removed that threat.

Manuel III was able to ensure the safety of Trebizond for several more decades through diplomacy with the Turkmen.

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

On this day we commemorate with joy the victory of Emperor Heraclius and his army at the battle of Ninevah on December 12th in 627 AD: 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nineveh_(627)

The Byzantine forces fought the Sassanians under emperor Khosaru II and his appointed general Rhahzadh, who was said to have challenged Emperor Heraclius to single combat. Heraclius accepted and killed Rahdadh and also two other challengers after him. After 8 hours of fighting the Sassanian army was forced to retreat, giving the Byzantines the victory.

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

 On this day we commemorate the Emperor Julian entering Constantinople as sole Emperor on December 11th in 361 AD:

 

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

As Caesar of the West he had been victorious against Alemanni invasions in Gaul and had been proclaimed Augustus by his troops. His uncle the Emperor Constantius II considered this rebellion and was en-route from the East with his armies, but fell ill and proclaimed Julian sole Emperor before he passed. Religious controversies aside, Julian was a competent administrator and reformed many court excesses which had existed under the previous Emperor. 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this day we commemorate with joy the anniversary of General Belisarius entering the city of Rome during the Gothic War on December 9th in 536 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_War_(535-554)

He entered the city unopposed. The Gothic garrison of Rome had fled fled the city, putting up no resistance to Belisarius and his troops when they entered the Porta Asinaria gate in the Aurelian Walls. This marked the first time Rome was controlled by the Empire in 60 years.

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this we commemorate Tiberius II being raised as Caesar on December 7th in 574 AD:

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

He was appointed by Emperor Justin II who was having seizures of mental illness. Interestingly there was a plague in Constantinople at the time, and it abated the day after Tiberius II was raised to be Caesar. That had to have been seen as a good omen which proved to be true enough; Tiberius was a popular ruler, being tall, handsome and having a reputation for kindness and generosity.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today 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 reflect on the life of the Emperor Diocletian on the anniversary of his passing on December 3rd in 311 AD:

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

Diocletian established the tetrarchy and divided the Roman Empire into the Eastern and Western Empires, along with his appointed co-Emperor Maximian. This division would remain for the rest of Roman history and some scholars regard his actions as the start of the Byzantine Empire. Diocletian ruled for 21 years and retired peacefully, which in itself was a major achievement after the crisis of the 3rd Century.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

"What does it take to cut the Roman Empire in half? A pair of Caesars!"

-Diocletian
 

 

Greetings all,

On this day we reflect on the exile of Silverius, the Pope of Rome to the island of Palmarola by General Belisarius on  December 2nd in 537 AD:

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

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

He was accused of conspiring with the Goths by Antonia, Belisarius' wife. It is entirely possible that this was the case as the Roman church probably had developed a working relationship with the Goths during their rule of Rome. Antonia likely heard of this through gossip from sources in the church or the Roman aristocracy.

Belisarius exiled Silverius to the Island of Palmarola which was extremely desolate. Silverius died there. He was replaced by Pope Vigilius, appointed from Constantinople, who was the first pope of the Byzantine Papacy.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

On this day we commemorate 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, 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
www.byzantiumnovum.org