Greetings all,

In the news, more missing pieces of the 6th century Bromeswell Bucket, a Byzantine bronze bucket found in the area of Sutton Hoo archaeological site in England have been recovered: 

https://www.iflscience.com/time-team-archaeologists-discover-fragment-of-famous-6th-century-byzantine-bucket-at-sutton-hoo-74871

This decorated item from the Byzantine Empire dates from about a hundred years before the Sutton Hoo ship was buried. Pieces of it had been discovered in 1986 and put on display. It seems this bucket had been highly prized (due to its art and far-away origins) and it had been repaired at least two times in antiquity. The famous British archaeological group "Time Team" had identified other possible remains of the Bromeswell Bucket with ground radar and this season more of it has been recovered, and this will all be covered in an upcoming "Time Team" TV episode.

So, they've been able to cross this off their Bucket List...   :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.com 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate with sadness the passing of the Empress Theodora on June 28th in 527 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_(6th_century)

She was one of the most powerful Empresses in history. She shared in the Emperor Justinian's plans and political strategies, participated in state councils, and Justinian called her his "partner in my deliberations." She had her own court, her own official entourage, and her own imperial seal.

"Purple is the noblest shroud" - Theodora

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the birth of Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos on June 27th in 1350 AD:

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

Although his reign was marred by civil war, he did travel to the West to try and raise support against the Ottomans. Manuel II was the first Roman Emperor to return to Britain in almost a thousand years! He wrote numerous works including treatises on music and rhetoric, and also the last "mirror of prince" manual in Byzantium, a sort of self-help manual to assist a new monarch in learning the job of how to govern. He and his wife Helena Dregas had two sons which became Emperors - John VIII Palaiologos and the last Roman Emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos.

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the passing of the Emperor Julian after the Battle of Samarra on June 26th in 363 AD:

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

His invasion of Persia had been successful and he won a battle outside the Persian palace at Cestephon. However Julian did not attempt to besiege the city, and he was wounded attempting to return to Roman territory.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this day we reflect on Julius Nepos deposing Glycerius as Emperor of the West on June 24th in 474 AD:

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

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

Glycerius had reigned for a year but had not been recognized by Emperor Leo I in the East. These were the final dark days for the Western Roman Empire, Nepos ruled Rome for only a year before retreating to Dalmatia. He had hopes of regaining the West from there as he did have support from Zeno in the East, but that did not happen.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In the news, an interesting article on Byzantine influence of the coinage of Africa, particularly the Kingdom of Aksum:

https://www.coinworld.com/news/world-coins/coins-display-showcased-varied-influences-in-africa

This is a current exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. It is fascinating to be reminded that there was a link between the Byzantine Empire and Aksum, both were Christian and Aksum was a Silk Road link to Constantinople.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the Roman victory by General Flavius Aetius over the forces of Attila the Hun in the Battle of the Catalunian Plains on June 20th in 451 AD: 

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

There should be cake!

This victory was hugely significant to both the Western and Eastern Roman Empire as it finally broke Attila's aura of invincibility.  It was said at the time that 300,000 people died on the battlefield and the fighting was so fierce the shades of the dead continued to fight... and the echoes of the sounds of battle could still be heard at the site for days after it's end.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

Today we commemorate the birth of Emperor John V Palaiologus on June 18th in 1332 AD:

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

 

 

Even though his reign was troubled time of civil war, there should still be cake! :)

We also commemorate with sadness the death of Emperor Leo II on June 18th in 741 AD:

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

 

 

He was a fairly successful Emperor who ended a long period of political instability and was successful in defending the Empire.

 

He should probably get a slice of that cake also... :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this day we reflect on the Emperor Julian burned his supply ships on the Tigris river before heading to the interior of Persia during his Persian Campaign on June 16th in 363 AD:

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

His armies had won a battle at Ctesiphon, the Persian capital, but his forces were unable to mount a successful siege of the city. Not wanting to withdraw and being unwilling to leave the ships for approaching enemy forces, Julian ordered the ships burned before moving forward. This possible path of retreat was later cut off in any case and the Emperor was killed while his armies fought their way out of Persia.

His uncle, the Emperor Constantius II had fallen ill and died while beginning a campaign against the Persians and they had remained a threat since. As Julian had secured the Western provinces while serving as Caesar, he had surely hoped to gain complete security for the Empire as a whole through victory in the East.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the passing of Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos on June 15th in 948 AD:

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

He was certainly an emperor with an interesting career... he's one of the few who became emperor by suffering a major military defeat! Honestly his legacy of relatives may have been the most amazing thing about him. Check out the list of his family in his wikipedia link!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 Greetings all,

On this day we commemorate the Edict of Milan , which was issued by Emperor Constantine I and his co-Emperor Licinius on June 13th in 313 AD:

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

This was the official publication of the new policy of religious tolerance in the Empire, especially directed at ending the persecution of Christians.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today is our commemoration of Isaac I Komnenos being proclaimed Emperor by the army after defeating the forces of Michael I Psellos on June 8th in 1057 AD:

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

Emperor Isaac I spent his reign attempting to shore up the Byzantine military, reduce bureaucracy and rebuild the treasury, all of which had been adversely affected by the excesses of his predecessors in the previous decades.

 He even won the Battle of Hades no less... which sounds pretty impressive...

There should be cake! 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today is our celebration of the anniversary of the wedding of Emperor Theodosius II and Aelia Eudocia in Constantinople  on June 7th in 421 AD:

 

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

 

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

Aelia Eudocia was originally named Athenais, and was raised with a Classical education. When her father died he gave most of his estate to her two brothers, and reserved only 100 coins for her, saying "sufficient for her is her destiny, which will be the greatest of any woman." Her brothers refused to share their inheritance, so she went to Constantinople to seek justice.

Legend says Pulcheria, Theodosius II's sister,  heard about this young girl, who had only 100 coins to her name, and when she met her, she was "astonished at her beauty and at the intelligence and sophistication with which she presented her grievance." Upon reporting back to her brother, she told him she had "found a young girl, a Greek maid, very beautiful, pure and dainty, eloquent as well, the daughter of a philosopher," and young Theodosius who was full of desire and lust fell in love instantly.

There should be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this day we celebrate the Emperor Constantine VII becoming sole Emperor of the Byzantine Empire (at 8 years old!) on June 6th in 913 AD:

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

Constantine VII was made ruler under a nine man regency headed by the Patriarch Nicholas Mysticos, which was appointed by Emperor Alexander who died on this day also in 913 AD.

Emperor Alexander was considered a "lecherous, lazy and malignant drunk" who was accused of idolatry, but his young successor Constantine VI was a bright and scholarly young man. Although quiet, withdrawn and overshadowed by regents most of his life he had some military successes and is the author of "De Ceremoniis", an amazing and complete record of Byzantine court ritual which still survives to this day.

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this day we commemorate with joy the end of the Siege of Constantinople on June 5th in 1413 AD:, the Siege of Constantinople (which had begun in 1411) ended:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_(1411)

The attack on Constantinople had begun in 1411 during the Ottoman civil war between Musa and Suleiman, and lifted after Mehmed I became sultan. 

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate Emperor Anastasius II becoming Emperor on June 4th in 713 AD:

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

Anastasius II focused on stabilizing and fortifying the empire (including the walls of Constantinople) and reinforcing Orthodoxy over Monothelitism. Sadly he reigned for only two years, but his short rule was a welcome respite for Byzantium.

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on one of the most bizarre episodes of Roman history, when the usurper Julius Nepotianus took over the city of Rome on June 3rd in 350 AD:

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

Nepotianus took the city with a troop of gladiators, no less!  (That's a bit like someone taking over London with a couple of Rugby teams...)

He was the son of Constantine's half-sister, and he managed to hold the city for nearly a month before troops loyal to Magentius returned to the city to deal with him. Nepotianus may not have been the smartest would-be Emperor in the pool, but he was nothing if not brave as he even stayed to fight it out at the end. 

I have to admit I'm impressed by this Mad Lad... and even offer 12x12" canvas prints of the ultra-rare coins he quickly minted during his brief rule: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/969005164/roman-usurper-nepotianus-bronze-coin

(If anyone buys this canvas wall hanging  100% of the proceeds go to Byzantium Novum for domain and website hosting!)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 Greetings all,

On this Day we commemorate with sadness the sack of the city of Rome by the Vandals on June 2nd in 455 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_of_Rome_(455)

This went on for two straight weeks, thanks to the actions of the Emperor Petronius Maximus. The Senate had fled the city before the Vandals arrived and no defense had been mounted.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In the news, 1,500 year old Holy Land pilgrim's etchings have been found at a Byzantine church in Negrev:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/1500-year-old-byzantine-era-ship-etchings-revealed-at-negev-church/

This church was pretty much the first stop for pilgrims who had come by boat to see sites like Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Looks like they had a half-day's walk to get to this church, which was their first stop. Some interesting graffiti!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org