Greetings all,

Today we celebrate the first "foundation ceremonies" (Consecratia Deo) for the City of Constantinople, in which Constantine I affirmed it as the new capital of the Empire on November 26th in 328 AD:,

https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/constantine-i-great-roman-emperor

Constantine allowed Imperial astronomers to cast horoscopes for the city, and allowed Classical priests to perform their rites. This was apparently a precursor to the official "dedication" of Constantinople which happened on May 11th in 330 AD.

There should be cake!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Tomorrow, November 24th is the festival of Brumalia:

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

Originally an ancient Roman holiday it continued to be officially celebrated in the Eastern Roman Empire until at least 1204 AD.

In the Imperial Court, the Brumalia was celebrated with feasting, candle light, dancing and singing -  all the themes of an indoor Winter holiday celebrating plenty after the harvests. Well wishes were given to the Emperor, and the Emperor distributed gifts of gold and fine cloth to Imperial officers and ministers according to a system of rank. On the morning after the Brumalia the Emperor would hold an "intimate" meal (for only 30 people or so!) where the celebrations were concluded.

I hope all can enjoy this ancient harvest/Winter celebration! Please do something special for yourself and your family!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

Mezazon of Byzantium Novum 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today, we commemorate Libius Severus, who became Emperor of the West on November 19th in 461 AD:

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

He was elected to the position by the Roman Senate in Ravenna, but his rule was dominated by Count Ricimer. Severus was not recognized by Leo I, Emperor of the East, but there was still some collaboration between the two courts in various affairs and the choosing of Consuls. Surprisingly for a Western Emperor during this period Libius Severus seems to have died a natural death.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the life of Emperor Leo I (the Thracian) who passed on November 18th in 473 AD:

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

He had a mostly successful reign in which he made serious efforts to aid the Western Empire. He was also canonized as a Saint, and his feast day is January 20th. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the life of the Western Emperor Valentinian I who passed on  November 17th in 375 AD:

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

He was the brother of the Eastern Roman Emperor Valens. During his reign Valentinian successfully fought the Alamanni, Quadi and Sarmatians. His victory at the Battle of Solicinium and his success in defeating revolts in Africa and Gaul, as well as his building of fortifications and fortresses left him the legacy of being considered the "last great Western Emperor."

-Marcus Cassius Julianus 

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the life of Emperor Justinian I (the Great) who passed on November 14 in 527 AD:

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

His legacy was truly amazing, ranging from retaking parts of the Western Roman Empire to the building of the Hagia Sophia. He was canonized as a Saint and his feast day is today.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

In the news, hidden tunnels and secret rooms have been discovered under the 1,500-year-old Church of St. Polyeuctus in Constantinople:

https://knewz.com/world/hidden-tunnel-and-secret-rooms-discovered-under-1-500-year-old-church-in-istanbul-stuns-archaeologists/

Mosaics, Roman artifacts, and even a statue of the god Pan have been found. An interesting discovery!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we celebrate Zoe taking the throne as the Empress Consort of Romanos III Argyros on November 12th in 1028 AD:

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

Zoe was a strong and popular Empress who was known for her beauty. She even had a cosmetics laboratory her her palace rooms, and was said to be youthful looking into her 60's.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we remember the Byzantine general Petronas on the anniversary of his passing on November 11th in 865 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petronas_(general)

He was the brother in law of the Emperor Theophilos, and won a crushing victory in the Battle of Lalakaon which marked a resurgence in Byzantine power in the East.

After the battle of Lalakaon Petronas was granted a Triumph and made commander in chief of the army.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the life of young Emperor Leo II who passed on November 10th in 474 AD:

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

He was all of 7 years old at the time and had been Emperor for a little over a full year. It is not known if his death was of natural causes, and one can't help feeling sorry for him.

A moment of remembrance for this young Emperor and/or prayers on his behalf are appropriate.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we celebrate the life of Emperor Constantine VII who passed on this day - November 9th in 959 AD:

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

He was one of the most learned Emperors, and the author of four books: De Administrando Imperio, De Ceremoniis, and De Thematibus . His De Ceremoniis gives us nearly all of what we know about the Royal Court of Constantinople and its ceremonies.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

 

Today we commemorate the Battle of Andrassos, fought between Byzantine and Arab forces on November 8th in 960 AD:

 

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

 

It was a resounding victory for Byzantine forces led by Phocas the younger. This battle broke the Hamdanid emirate, eventually resulting in the recapture of Antioch, and the vassalization of Aleppo. After the battle a triumph was held in the Hippodrome in Constantinople.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this day we commemorate the birth of Emperor Constans II on November 7th in 630 AD:

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

Constans II was the last Emperor to serve in the office of Consul, although the office continued to exist on record until 886 AD. In 663 he  visited Rome for 12 days and was the first Eastern Emperor to have visited there since 476 AD.

The first Byzantine Themes were created during the rule of Constans II. 

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all,

In the news, an interesting article on the Suda, the Byzantine era encyclopedia from 1100AD:

https://greekreporter.com/2024/11/05/suda-byzantine-encyclopedia-written-1100

This work is a record of historical figures and ancient literature and has been a valuable source for historians for centuries.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on the life of Emperor Constantius II who passed on November 3rd in 361 AD:

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

His reign was marked by continued border warfare with Persia and by civil wars and usurpations.

He passed away from a fever in the city of Mopsuestia in Cicilia (Anatolia, Turkey). He was leading his legions to join battle with the forces of his young cousin Julian who he had named as Caesar of the West, after the Western legions had proclaimed Julian the Western Emperor.  On his deathbed Constantius II was baptized, and declared Julian to be his rightful successor. This left Julian II as Emperor of both the Eastern and Western empires.

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In the news, a 4th century Byzantine church has been unearthed in the city of Bursas in Turkey, (the former province of Bithynia):

https://www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/church-prusias-ad-hypium-72929/

Excavations seem to be ongoing - it is good to see some archaeology being done!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus