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