Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the life of Emperor Justin I, who reigned from July 9th in 518 to August 1st in 527 AD:

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


He was the uncle of Justinian I and left Justinian to be his heir. 

Justin I rose through the ranks of the army to become captain of the Imperial Guard. At the death of Emperor Anastasius he was able to out-maneuver his rivals to be elected to the throne, even though he was 70 at the time. During his rule he was able to repair relations with the Western church, and cultivated client states at the boarders of the Empire.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on John Komnenos "The Fat" attempted coup against Emperor Alexios III on July 31st in 1201 AD: 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Komnenos_the_Fat#Coup

 

The coup occurred in the Great Palace in Constantinople's southeastern corner. After entering through the Kareia Gate near the Hippodrome the plotters managed to seize most of the Palace, and John Komnenos was crowned in the Hagia Sophia by a monk. 

 

The coup was short lived however, as Alexios III remained secure in the Palace of Blachernae. Alexios was able to send troops by sea to the part of the Great Palace still held by the Varangian guard. Once most of the urban mobs dispersed for the night the Varangians had little trouble suppressing John's supporters. John himself was captured and immediately beheaded.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, Byzantine arrowheads discovered at the site of the Battle of Manzikert: 

https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2026/07/byzantine-ballista-bolts-from-the-11th-century-found-at-the-manzikert-site-used-in-the-siege-prior-to-the-1071-battle/

These artifacts date from the siege fought before the battle itself.  An interesting tangible link to the this time which affected the Empire so greatly!  

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the life of the Emperor Theodosius II who ruled from January 10th 402 AD to July 28th, 450 AD:

 

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

 

His reign was noted for the Theodosian Law Code, and for the building of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we reflect with sadness on the Byzantine defeat in the Battle of Bapheus, fought on July 27th in 1302 AD: 

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

 

They were defeated by Ottoman forces near Nicomedia. Bithynia in Asia Minor had been part of the Roman world since 74 BC. This loss resulted in the eventual loss of Bithynia through the reduction of Byzantine forts one after the other.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, gold coins, ceremonial gold fittings, and an imperial signet ring dating from the Heraclian Dynasty have been discovered at the site of a Byzantine shipwreck:

 

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2026/07/gold-regalia-and-imperial-ring-recovered-from-byzantine-shipwreck-in-the-adriatic/158737

 

Quite an amazing find, and excavation is ongoing!

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,
 
Today we celebrate Emperor Constantine I being proclaimed Emperor by his troops in York, England on  July 25th in 306 AD:
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great

 

He remained in England until the Winter, then moved onward to Trier, Germany. 

 

Also on this day, July 25th in 315 AD, the Arch of Constantine I in Rome was dedicated:
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Constantine

This was dedicated by the Senate in honor of Constantine's victory over Maxentius. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus