Greetings all, 

 

Today we reflect on the beginning of the Emperor Justin II's second reign on August 21st in 705 AD: 

 

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

 

He had become Emperor in 685 AD, and was deposed and exiled in 695 AD. He managed to return at the head of a Bulgarian army on this day. 

Justinian II seems to have wished to emulate his namesake - only without having the same skills. Instead of expanding the empire he harmed it through harsh and despotic rule. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

In breaking news today, a seal of the Empress Irene Komnene has been discovered in the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon: 

 

https://www.bta.bg/en/news/1188591-seal-of-byzantine-empress-irene-komnene-discovered-at-perperikon

 

The discovery is so new it hasn't reached most of the news outlets yet.  Archaeology is still ongoing at the site!

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

Greetings all, 

 Public reminder - The Games of Sol and Luna Hippodrome race continues until August 28th!

 

Vote for your favorite race faction here: https://take.quiz-maker.com/QEIYLFN26    

 

Your vote increases the odds of your team's victory! Anyone who posts their support to the Hippodrome list: https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovumHippodrome or to the Byzantium Novum Forum:  https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovum will receive a virtual race token as a thank you, and will receive honorable public mention in an upcoming issue of the Basilica.  

 

This race is sponsored by the Classical Church of Byzantium Novum  official forum:   https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovumClassicalReligion. 

 

Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

Today we reflect on the infamous life of Count Ricimer, who controlled the Western Roman Empire behind the scenes from 461 aD to August 18th in 472 AD:

 

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

 

He was a Romanized German who exercized his rule through a series of puppet Emperors the last of which was Anthemius, who was actually competent and might well have saved the Western half of Rome. Ricimer died just six weeks after his murder of Anthemius.  

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

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