Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the ending of the Byzantine-Venetian war on October 4th in 1302 AD:  

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine–Venetian_War_(1296–1302)

 

In that year a fleet of 28 Venetian galleys sailed to Constantinople and flogged captives within sight of the city walls. The incident induced the Byzantines to propose a peace treaty. Venice returned most (but not all) of the islands captured during the conflict and Byzantium agreed to pay for Venetian losses incurred in 1296.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus
www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we commemorate Heraclius the Elder taking power from the Emperor Phocas in the culmination of the Heraclian revolution on October 3rd in 610 AD:

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

Heraclius had been the Exarch of Carthage during the ruinous reign of the Emperor Phocas, and finally rose into rebellion. He cut off the grain supply and with his brother Gregorius sailed to Constantinople. Upon entering the city on this day he was greeted by the people as their deliverer.

 

His son, Heraclius the Younger was crowned Emperor on October 10th.

 

Heraclius the Elder was named a Hero of Byzantium Novum in 2018.  Heraclius the Younger was named a Hero of Byzantium Novum in 2019. 

 

There should be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus
www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we commemorate Theophilos becoming Emperor on October 2nd in 829 AD: 

 

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

 

He was the son of Emperor Michael II and was the last Byzantine Emperor to support Iconoclasm. He was a brave man, a just ruler and good administrator. However  his overall lack of success in battles against the Arabs was later taken as a sign that iconoclasm was no guarantee of divine military favor. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news - ancient Byzantine seals and coins mostly from the reign of Emperor Justinian I have been recovered at Markeli fortress in Bulgaria: 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/10/01/byzantine-seals-coins-bulgaria-markeli-fortress/

Excavations are ongoing so hopefully more information and finds will be presented in the next few weeks.  

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

In the news - Greece and Bulgaria have reached an agreement that will see the remains of the medieval Bulgarian ruler Tsar Samuel returned to Bulgaria more than 60 years after they were discovered in northern Greece. 

 

https://www.medievalists.net/2026/09/greece-to-return-remains-of-medieval-tsar-samuel-to-bulgaria/

 

In exchange, 48 religious and cultural objects taken from Greece during the First World War will be returned by Bulgaria.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

Today we reflect on Procopius declaring himself Emperor of the West on September 28th in 265 AD:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procopius_(usurper)

 

He was a cousin of the Emperor Julian. and had served as a tribune and as an Envoy. During Julian's Persian campaign Procopius commanded 30,000 troops tasked with making fortifications in Mesopotamia. He later fell under suspicion of plotting revolt under Valentinian I and Valens. He at first tried to hide but ended up having to attempt to take the throne in order to save himself.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, an interesting article on the Ostrogoth kingdom formed after the fall of the Western Empire: 

https://www.thecollector.com/ostrogoth-invasions-italy/

A good overview of Odoacer and Theodoric, their relationship with Constantinople, and how Justianian finally came to retake Italy. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org