Greetings all,

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

https://greekreporter.com/2024/02/24/ancient-greek-city-hadrianopolis/

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

 

 

 

Greetings all,

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

https://greekreporter.com/2024/03/28/constantinople-renamed-istanbul/

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

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

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

https://greekreporter.com/2024/03/22/amphorae-recovered-ancient-byzantine-shipwreck-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

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

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:,

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

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

https://greekreporter.com/2024/03/20/byzantine-sundial-calendar-antikythera-mechanism/

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

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

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

https://scitechdaily.com/bronze-age-to-byzantine-scientists-uncover-46-archaeological-sites-thought-to-be-lost-to-history/

Not a bad set of finds!

Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

In the news, an article on the Byzantine history of Tinos Island in Greece:

New Research Sheds Light on the Byzantine History of Tinos Island - GreekReporter.com

 

Interestingly, there seemed to be a defensive line of fortified islands in the area during the Byzantine Empire, with a castle on each. Pretty cool!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

On this day we reflect on the death of the Emperor Valentinian III who was assinated by two Sythian retainers while practicing with a bow on the Camput Martius on , March 16th in 455 AD:

 

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

 

As they say - He had it comin'. The Sythians were followers of the celebrated Roman general Aetius. Valentinian III had wrongfully executed Aetius after being politically influenced against him.

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

In the News - an article about a newly discovered ancient city in Greece:

https://greekreporter.com/2024/03/13/lost-ancient-city-found-serres-greece/

Greece is dotted with a pretty bewildering number of ancient City-States, the names of many of which are unknown. Good they're looking to identify this one. What's interesting is this one survived into the Byzantine period (there are two Christian Churches) so they've got a good chance here!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this Day we celebrate the birth of Princess Anna Porphyrogenita on March 13th in 963 AD:

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianization_of_Kievan_Rus'

She was the daughter of Emperor Romanos II and Empress Theophilo. She was married to Grand Prince Vladimir the Great of Russia, who became Orthodox Christian in order to marry her. Her influence contributed greatly to Russia becoming Christian, and she participated actively in the Christianization of the Kievan Rus'. She founded a few churches and convents herself and was the religious advisor to Prince Vladimir.

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this Day we commemorate the ending of the Ostrogothic Siege of Rome on March 12th in 538 AD: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Rome_(537-538)

Vitiges, the king of the Ostrogoths retreated to Ravenna, leaving Rome in the hands of the victorious General Belisarius.

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 
Greetings all,

On this day, we commemorate with sadness the battle of Pegae which was fought between Byzantine and Bulgarian forces on March 11th in 921 AD:

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

Pegae meant  "the spring" and was named after the nearby Church of St. Mary of the Spring. The Bulgarian forces held the high ground and charged into the Byzantine front line with irresistible momentum. This initial attack collapsed the Byzantine front lines. The Byzantine commanders fled as they were unable to untangle the lines or regroup their forces and the battle was a complete rout and Byzantine defeat. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this day we reflect with sadness on crusader king Baldwin I of Balogne siezing the Byzantine city of Edessa on March 10th in 1098 AD and establishing the first Crusader territory in the East:

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

He had been invited in by Thoros of Edessa (a Byzantine officer) to fight against the Seljuqs. Taking advantage of a riot against Thoros, Baldwin took control of the city.

Interestingly, Edessa was the city where the Roman Emperor Valerian was captured in 260 AD. Edessa fell to the Muslim conquest in 638 AD and had not been retaken by the Byzantines until 1031 AD.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this Day we commemorate the crowning of Emperor Zeno on March 9th in 474 AD:

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

His first reign lasted until January of 475 when he was temporarily deposed by the revolt of Basiliscus. Zeno reigned the throne again and reigned from 476 to 491 AD. Zeno's reign saw the end of the Western Roman Empire, following the deposition of Romulus Augustulus, and the death of Julius Nepos.  

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

In the news, an article about the Via Egnatia, the ancient road that connected Rome and Byzantium:

The Ancient Road That Connected Rome With Byzantium - GreekReporter.com

Construction of it began in 120 BC by the Roman Senator Gnaeus Egatius and remained in use through most of Byzantine history. Parts of it are still in use today!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

On this day we commemorate with joy the Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas taking the city of Chandax from the Sarasens on March 6th in 961 AD:, 

 

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

 

This campaign ended the Emirate of Crete, making the area part of the Byzantine Empire once more.

There should be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

On this Day -  March 5th in 1417 AD, Emperor Manuel III of Trebizond died:

 

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

During his reign the armies of the Central Asian conqueror Tamerlaine swept through Ottoman territories and defeated them in the Battle of Ankara. This extended the life and security of Trebizond for several decades. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org