Greetings all,

On this Day - September 23rd in 518 AD, Euphemia, (the wife of Justin I) became Empress:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphemia_(empress)

She originally had the Roman name Lupicina and took the name Euphemia upon becoming Empress. She became an equal ruler with her husband and was admired by many.  She and Justin I were both in their later years when they gained the throne. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we commemorate the life and legacy of the Roman general Flavius Aetius, who was killed through court intrigue on September 21st in 454 AD:

 

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

 

Known as "The last of the Romans", Flavius Aetius had stopped Attila the Hun at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains. Aetius was the most influential man in the Empire for two decades and his untimely death greatly weakened the Western Roman Empire.

Let us celebrate his impressive victories and accomplishments, and reflect on his example of Romanitas.

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

  

 

Greetings all,

 Today we commemorate the anniversary of the marriage of Emperor Alexios III of Trebizond and the Empress Theodora Kantakouzene on September 20th in 1351 AD:

 

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

 

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

They were both about 13 at the time and this would have been an event with public celebration and feasting. The marriage was a successful one - the couple had seven children together, one of whom was the Emperor Manuel III. 

There should be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we celebrate the birth of Emperor Leo VI the Wise born on  September 19th in 866 AD:

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

He was well read, which led to his epithet. During his reign there was a renaissance of letters and learning and he himself wrote several works, including a 6 volume set of 60 works, known as the Basilika. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on the life of the Emperor Constantine II who was assassinated on September 15th, in 668 AD:

 

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

 

 

Sadly his reign was one of difficulty as the province of Egypt lost under his rule. Constans II was the last Emperor to actively serve in the office of Consul, and during his reign there was contact with the Tang Dynasty of China. He also visited Rome, and was the first Emperor to do so since the Western Empire had fallen.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate with joy the Emperor Heraclius' triumphant return to Constantinople on September 14th in 629 AD after his victory over the Persian Empire:  

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

He had recovered the True Cross and it remained on display in Constantinople for two years before being returned to Jerusalem. Pieces of it are kept there in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to this day.

Let all take joy in the memory of this important historical event, which gave new heart to the Byzantine Empire!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the life of the Emperor Andronikos I Komnenos who was killed on September 12th in 1185 AD, the day after he had been deposed:  

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

He was the last Emperor of the Komnenos Dynasty, Although he was a strong and capable leader his reign was a turbulent one. His work to end excesses and curb the power of the nobility made him unpopular and contributed to his being toppled from the throne.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the removal of Romulus Augustus as the final Emperor of the Western Emperor on September 4th in 476 AD:

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

Popularly known as "Romulus Augustulus" because of his young age, his life was actually spared by the barbarian general Ordoacer. Romulus was granted a stipend equal to the annual income of a wealthy Senator, and he retired to the Villa of Lucullus in Naples. Little is known of his life after that. It is commonly thought he may have eventually become a monk, and he may well have lived to see the return of Roman rule to Italy when the Byzantines returned in the time of Justinian the Great.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we commemorate the life of the Empress Theodora Porphyrogenita, who passed on August 31st in 1056 AD:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_(11th_century)

 

She was the daughter of Constantine VIII and was the younger sister of the Empress Zoe. Theodora only became involved in politics in her later years and was sole Empress (and a strong ruler) for 16 months until this day. She was the last ruler of the Macedonian line which had ruled Byzantium for 200 years.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect with sadness on the Byzantine defeat in the Battle of Manzikert, fought between the armies of Emperor Romanos IV and Seljuk forces on August 26th in 1071 AD:

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

"The brunt of the battle was borne by the professional soldiers from the eastern and western tagmata, as large numbers of the mercenaries and Anatolian levies fled early and survived the battle. The fallout from Manzikert was near disastrous for the empire, with subsequent numerous civil conflicts and an economic crisis severely weakening the empire's ability to adequately defend its borders. This led to the mass movement of Turks into central Anatolia and by 1080, an area of 30,000 square miles (78,000 km2) had been lost to the empire. It took a decade of internal strife before Alexios I Komnenos (1081 to 1118) brought stability back to the empire."

Interestingly historians now agree that the battle was not the massacre it was once thought to be. While the Byzantines were routed, most military units survived and were fighting elsewhere within a few months. The capture and captivity of Romanos IV seem to have helped turn the battle into legend. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we celebrate the Emperor Julian's victory in the Battle of Strabourg against the Almanni tribes under King Chnotmar on August 25th in 357 AD:

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

The Roman forces were heavily outnumbered but won through superior infantry and tactics. This battle allowed Julian to re-establish the Roman forts along the Rhine which had largely been destroyed during the Roman civil war. This protected the province of Gaul from further devastation. Julian had been appointed Emperor of the West by Constantius II and would later become Emperor of the East as well. 

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

Today we reflect on the usurper Eugenius being raised as Emperor of the West on August 22nd in 392 AD: 

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

He was elevated to this position by the Arborgast, the Magister Militarium of the Western Empire.  Eugenius was a former Rhetor (teacher) who Arborgast felt would be a candidate acceptable to the Eastern Empire.  

Although Eugenius was a Christian, he appealed to the discontented Pagan factions in Rome. He restored the Temple of Venus and Roma, and also restored the Altar of Victory to the Roman Senate. He was the last Roman to raise Pagan standard in battle. He was defeated by the Emperor Theodosius I after half his troops defected to the other side the night before the battle of of  Frigidus in 394 AD. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the Emperor Tiberious II Constantine who passed on this day -  August 14th in 582 AD:

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

Tiberius II worked to restore the empire after the generally unpopular reign of Emperor Justin II. He fought both the Persians and the Avars, and also made efforts to strengthen remaining Byzantine territory in the west.  Certainly a reign worth some positive reflection!  

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

On this day we reflect on the death of the Western usurper / Emperor Magentius on August 11 in 353 AD:

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

He had been the commander of the Imperial guard, who had proclaimed him Emperor after becoming disillusioned with the Emperor Constans. He quickly gained control over Western and African territories. Magentius was defeated by Constantius II, first at the Battle of Mursa Major, and again in the Battle of Mons Seleusus where he fought bravely but was finally forced to fall on his sword to avoid capture. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this Day - August 10th in 1030 AD, the Battle of Azaz fought between the armies of Romanos III and the Mirdasid Emirate of Aleppo ended with a Byzantine defeat:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Azaz_(1030)

Romanos III insisted on leading the Byzantine army even though he had no military experience, and refused Arab peace envoys and even a Mirdasid offer to pay tribute. The Arab forces were much smaller but consisted mostly of Bedouin cavalry, which were able to destroy a Byzantine reconnaissance force and then harass the Imperial camp. Cut off from foraging supplies the Byzantines suffered from thirst and hunger. They were later attacked while trying to withdraw, and the withdrawal turned into a rout. Romanos III only barely managed to escape through the intervention of his bodyguard.

In retrospect, he probably should have accepted the peace and tribute. Obviously the Romans had forgotten the old lesson of Crassus' desert defeat at Cannae!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, a mosaic inscription to the Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora have been discovered in Kosovo, in the Roman city of  Ulpiana 


https://archaeology.org/news/2025/08/08/mosaic-inscription-connects-justinian-to-ancient-city-in-kosovo/

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


The city was called Justinia Secunda during the Byzantine period, and this is the second Justinian related mosaic to have been found at the site. Interesting!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

On this Day - June 3rd in 350 AD, in one of the most bizarre episodes of Roman history, the Usurper Nepotianus took over the city of Rome...

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

He did it with a troop of gladiators, no less!  At this time Rome was still the capital of the Western Empire - and still a major world city. This was a bit like taking over the modern city of Paris with the equivalent of a couple of Rugby teams... 

 
Nepotanius was the son of Constantine's half-sister, Eutropia. As a minor member of the Constantinian Dynasty had at least as much right to the throne as Magentius, the usurper who held Rome at the time. He even 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. He even stayed to fight it out at the end. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

Some good news today - it seems that the lost Byzantine city of  Tharais  has been rediscovered in the Jordinian desert: 

https://archaeology.org/news/2025/05/29/lost-byzantine-city-rediscovered-in-jordanian-desert/

This city was listed on ancient maps but the exact location was lost. This is good news, we're putting the Empire back on the map!  :)

Yes, there should be cake. Welcome back to the world, Tharais!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today May 22nd in 337 AD, the Emperor Constantine died:

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

He had been ill for some time and had prepared his resting place in the Church of the Holy Apostles. 

 

Constantine passed in Nicomedia, and was baptized shortly before his passing. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the Emperor Honorius (brother of the Eastern Emperor Arcadius) signing an edict providing tax relief for the Italian provinces on May 8th in 413 AD:

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

Rome itself had been sacked in 410 AD, and Tuscia, Campania, Picenum, Samnium, Apulia, Lucania and Calabria had also all been plundered by the Visigoths. 

This tax relief was an effort to help the provinces rebuild. Both Honorius and Arcadius have poor historical legacies for not being strong emperors, but they did provide some competent administration in some ways at least!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we commemorate the passing of the Emperor Arcadius on May 1st in 408 AD:

 

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

 

He was the son of Emperor Theodosius I, Arcadius was Emperor of the East and his brother Honorius was Emperor of the West.

Arcadius not a strong ruler and was heavily influenced by both his advisors and his consort the Empress Aelia Eudocia for most of his rule. It seems that as a person he focused more on being an example of a pious Christian than being concerned with military or political matters.  He did however begin the Theodosian Walls around Constantinople and as his rule was mostly inoffensive he provided stable legal continuity through a troubled time.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

 

Today we commemorate the Emperor Constantius II entering Rome in Triumph on April 28th in 357 AD:

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

This was in celebration of his victory over Magentius in the battle of Mons Seleucus after three years of civil war. It was the first time Constantius II had visited Rome, and this celebration was an attempt to again solidify and unify the Roman Empire after civil war.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect with sadness on the Byzantine defeat at end of the Siege of Bari on April 15th in 1071 AD:

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

The city of Bari in Apulia was the last Byzantine possession in Italy. The siege by the Normans had begun on August 5th in 1068, and on this day the city was surrendered to Robert Guiscard. This ended the 536 year long Byzantine presence in Italy. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect with sadness on the Latin crusaders taking the last parts of Constantinople on April 13th in 1204 AD:

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

They had breached the seaward walls at the Golden Horn the day before. Once they were inside the walls it was impossible to hold them from capturing the remainder of the city. This temporarily ended Byzantine rule in the city for the next half century.

In the wake of this event the Byzantines established the Despotate of Epirus, the Empire of Nicea, and the Empire of Trebizond which lasted until 1479, 1264, and 1461 respectively. This resourcefulness became proof that the Byzantine Empire can always be continued. 

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate Anthemius being raised as Emperor of the West on April 12th in 467 AD:

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

Antheimius was born in Constantinople to a noble family. He served both as Consul and Magister Militum, and was appointed as Caesar of the West by the Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I. Anthemius being raised to Emperor in the West was celebrated with a public panegyric. He was successful in battle against both the Ostrogoths and the Huns, and is considered by many to have been the last capable Western ruler. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we commemorate John II Komnenos on the anniversary of his passing on  April 8th in 1143 AD: 

 

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

 

He was cut by a poisoned arrow in a hunting accident on April 1 and died of infection. He is considered the best of the Komnenos emperors, having done much to help Byzantium recover from the disastrous battle at Manzikert.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we commemorate with sadness the beginning of the final Siege of Constantinople on April 6th in 1453 AD:

 

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

 

At the beginning of the siege, Mehmed sent out some of his best troops to reduce the remaining Byzantine strongholds outside the city of Constantinople. The fortress of Therapia on the Bosphorus and a smaller castle at the village of Studius near the Sea of Marmara were taken within a few days.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

On this day, March 28th in 364 AD, Emperor Valentinian I appointed his brother Flavius Valens as Emperor of the East:

 

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

 

This was done at Hebdomon, before the Constantinian Walls. Valens is considered by some to be one of the last true Roman emperors. Sadly he was not a successful military commander and was killed at the Battle of Adrianople in 378 AD due to not waiting for support from Valentinian I.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

Greetings all,

In the news, an article about the discovery of a Byzantine era shipwreck off the coast of Greece:

https://greekreporter.com/2025/03/22/amphorae-recovered-ancient-byzantine-shipwreck-greece/

Shockingly, amphorae have been found. Who would have thought?   :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the life of the Empress Theodora, the wife of Romanos I Lekapenos who passed on February 20th in 922 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_(wife_of_Romanos_I)

She came from humble origins so she was amazing enough to catch the eye of the Emperor. Theodora and Romanos I had five children, three of which became co-Emperors, one a Patriarch, and two Empress Consorts. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In the news, a nice article on the collection and translationof ancient Byzantine spiritual texts known as the Philokalia:

https://greekreporter.com/2025/02/17/greek-monk-byzantine-texts-philokalia

These ancient texts were translated by a monk at Mount Athos called Nicodemus, (born 1749 AD) who undertook a lifetime of compiling, and translating so that the spiritual wisdom of the Empire would be preserved. A fascinating story!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus