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

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this Day we commemorate with sadness the last known vote of the Roman Senate, held on January 27th in 1204 AD. This vote was taken during the 4th Crusade attack on Constantinople, just before the capture and sacking of the city. In this vote, the Senate appointed Nicholas Kanabos as Emperor:

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

After this date the Senate as an official political body was never heard from again, either during the Crusader occupation, or after. During the Palaiologos Dynasty it seems that "Senator" was simply an honorary title for individuals. 

Of course, in Byzantium Novum the Senate has been revived and conducts Byzantine business each month.   :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this Day we celebrate the birth of Emperor Leo IV (the Khazar) on January 25th in 750 AD:  

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

He was the son of Constantine V. Leo IV became sole Emperor in 775 AD. He fought a successful campaign against the Abbasids in 778 and 779 AD.

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

In the news - an interesting article about Digenes Akritas the Byzantine era hero:

https://greekreporter.com/2024/01/24/digenes-akritas-hero-byzantine-borderland/

He was the subject of epic poems and songs regarding border fighting between the Byzantines and Arabs in the borderlands of Anatolia.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 
Greetings all, 

On this day we reflect on the Emperor Theodosius proclaiming his son Honorius co-Emperor of the West on January 23rd in 393 AD: 

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

The Western empire was under pressure at the time and the reign of Honorius was chaotic. He ruled from Milan and then from Ravenna. His miscalculations and lack of military forces caused Rome to be sacked in 410 AD.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In recent news, an article on the Byzantine-Arab frontier:

https://greekreporter.com/2024/01/17/byzantine-arab-christian-muslim-clash/

Some interesting information on the long series of clashes between the two civilizations.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this day we reflect with sadness on the passing of the Emperor Theophilos on January 20th in 842 AD:

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

He was the last Iconoclast Emperor, and he spent much of his reign personally leading his armies in battle against the Arabs. Theophilos also strengthened the Walls of Constantinople, built the fortress of Sarkel on the Don River, and built a hospital that survived almost to the end of the Empire. He was also the creator of the Cherson, Paphlagonia and Chaldia Themes.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

On this day we commemorate the birth of the Empress Pulcheria on January 19th in 398 AD:

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

She was the daughter of the Emperor Arcadius, the sister of Theodosius II, and the wife of the Emperor Marcian. She was influential with the church and was involved with both the Council of Ephesus and the Council of Chalcedon. She was made a saint and her feast day is September 10th.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

In the news, an interesting article on the last surviving Roman Legion, Legio VI Macedonia:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/01/legio-v-macedonica-the-last-roman-legion/145686

It continued from 41 BC to 636 AD. Impressive!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this day we commemorate with sadness the full beginning of the Nika Riots in Constantinople on January 13th in 532 AD:

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

At it's end 30,000 people would be dead, half the city burned and several Senators executed. Hardly a Victory. Reflection and prayer are welcome in commemoration of this sad event.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this Day we reflect on the crowning of Basiliscus as Emperor on January 12th in 475 AD:

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

He was the Brother of Empress Aelia Verina, wife of Leo I. Although unsuccessful as a general he managed to seize power in Constantinople from the Emperor Zeno. However his policies antagonized most of the Imperial court, including his sister. When Zeno returned to Constantinople he found virtually no opposition.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this day we commemorate the anniversay of the birth of Emperor Theodosius I on January 11th in 347 AD:

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

He was the last Emperor to rule both the Eastern and Western Empires before they were permanently divided. While Theodosius is best remembered for his Christian efforts (and indeed he was made a Saint, Feast Day January 17) he successful in the Gothic War also was a competent administrator and was responsible for a renaissance of Classical art.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

In the news, an Imperial Cult temple to the Emperor Constantine:

https://www.archaeology.org/news/12039-240109-italy-imperial-cult

The Imperial Cult continued in the Empire until the end of the reign of Anastasius I in 518 AD. After that the Emperors were considered less than divine beings but were granted "the divine right of kings" which placed them over all except God.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this day 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, 

 

On this day we celebrate the crowning of the Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos in the city of Mystras on January 6th in 1449 AD:

 

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

 

He was Emperor during the fall of Constantinople in 1453. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In the News - an article about barbarian invasions in Greece during the Byzantine Era:

https://greekreporter.com/2024/01/04/barbarian-invasions-central-greece-byzantine-era/

Some interesting lesser-known history!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

In the News - an article about the Code of Emperor Justinian I as the basis of Western Civil Law:

https://greekreporter.com/2024/01/03/code-justinian-basis-western-civil-law/

Nice to see as the anniversary of the Justinian Code's writing was just a few days ago!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus