Greetings all, 

Today we commemorate with sadness the Byzantine defeat at the hands of Bulgarian forces in the battle of the Gates of Trajan, fought on August 17th in 986 AD:

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

 

It was the largest military loss for the Empire under Basil II.  The Byzantine army had tried to take the city of Sredetz without success, and were forced to withdraw due to a lack of supplies. 

 

Other Bulgarian units had fortified mountain passes near the remains of a fort built during the reign of the Emperor Trajan and blocked the retreat, which turned into a rout. Basil II barely escaped with his life. This narrow escape may even have contributed to his later harshness in finishing the Bulgarian War.

 

The old fort gates where the battle was fought may still be visited in Bulgaria. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we celebrate Nikephoros II Phokas being crowned as Emperor on August 16th in 963 AD:

 

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

 

Nikephoros was a popular army commander, who completed the conquest of Cicilia and retook the islands of Crete and Cyprus. His successful led to a Byzantine resurgence in the 10th century.

 

There should be cake!  :)

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

Today we commemorate with sadness the fall of the Empire of Trebizond on August 15th in 1461 AD: 

 

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

 

Constantinople had fallen in 1453, leaving Trebizond as the largest Byzantine territory remaining.  David, the last ruler of Trebizond had attempted to intrigue with the West against Ottoman rule, even considering retaking Jerusalem. Mehmed II heard of the plotting and quickly besieged Trebizond before it could prepare defense. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 Greetings all, 

Today we commemorate the city of Ravenna becoming the seat of the Byzantine military governor (the Exarch in Italy on August 14th in 554 AD: 

 

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Exarchate_of_Ravenna

 

The new Exarchate of Ravenna cemented the Eastern Empire's control over the Italian peninsula after the Gothic War.  Ravenna remained the center of Byzantine power in the West for nearly 200 years. The city became a dazzling fusion of East and West, home to some of the most breathtaking ancient mosaics still in existence today. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we we celebrate the Emperor Maurice officially becoming the rule of the Eastern Roman Empire on August 13th in 582 AD:

 

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

Maurice was a skilled general who was victorious in the Byzantine-Sassanian war which had begun in 572 AD. He expanded Byzantine territory in the South Caucasus, and during his reign the Byzantine Empire no longer paid the Persians thousands of pounds in gold annually for peace.

Maurice was declared one of the Heroes of Byzantium Novum in April of this year.  
 

There should be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 Greetings all, 

In the news, a Roman/Byzantine era complex dating  from the 3rd to 5th centuries is being excavated and restored for display in Athens: 

 

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1312283/roman-era-complex-uncovered-in-athens-to-be-restored-and-showcased/

 

The site is near the Temple of Olympian Zeus. After restoration and the archaeological site will be showcased as part of the modern city. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

Today we reflect on the Gaulish usurper Claudius Silvanus being declared Emperor of the West by his troops on August 11th in 355 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvanus_(magister_peditum) 

Silvanus had sided with Emperor Constantius II against Licinius, and Constantius II had appointed him Magister Peditum in Gaul.  Sadly Silvanus seems to have had enemies, and an official named Dymanus (probably on the orders of someone else) forged documents about Sylvanus intending to claim the throne, and send them to Constantius II. 

Constantius was extremely paranoid about usurpers (he'd murdered most of his relatives as a result). Even though there were many who stood up for Sylvanus, Constantius II would not allow him to prove loyalty or clear his name. 

In order to avoid summary execution Sylvanus ended up having to declare himself emperor in any case.  His attempt was unsuccessful and his reluctant revolt lasted only 28 days. He never got as far as the coin mint at Trier, so he minted no coins before his revolution failed. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus