Greetings all,

On this day, May 9th in 1009 AD, the Lombard Revolt began against the Byzantine province known as the Catephanate of Italy:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_conquest_of_southern_Italy#Lombard_revolt,_1009_1022

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

After a series of struggles the Byzantine Empire was successful in holding the territory until 1071, when they lost the City of Bari.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this Day we reflect on  the Emperor Honorius (brother of the Eastern Emperor Arcadius) signing an edict providing tax relief for the Italian provinces on May 8th in 413 AD:

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

Rome itself had been sacked in 410 AD, and Tuscia, Campania, Picenum, Samnium, Apulia, Lucania and Calabria had also all been plundered by the Visigoths. This tax relief was an effort to help the provinces rebuild. Both Honorius and Arcadius have poor historical legacies for not being strong emperors, but they did provide some competent administration and civil continuity.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the collapse of the dome of the Hagia Sophia after an earthquake on May 7th in 558 AD:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia#Third_church_.28current_structure.29

The dome had been weakened by prior earthquakes in December of 557, and its fall destroyed the ambon, altar and ciborium. The Emperor Justinian ordered an immediate restoration and the re-dedication of the structure was done on December 23 in 562 AD.

I'm sure Justinian's quick action was intended to restore public confidence after the tragedy and it seems to have worked. The new dome still stands.

May all the Empire find similar restoration!   :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we reflect on  the Emperor Constantine announced free distribution of food to the Citizens of Constantinople on May 18th in 332 AD:

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

This was done in order to attract new Citizens for the recently founded city. This distribution was in face a continuation of the Roman  "Cura Annone" or public distribution of grain in honor of the Goddess Annona. This began sporadically in Republican times and became standard by 122AD. The practice continued in Rome until the 6th century AD, but lasted longer in Constantinople. After the loss of Egypt it was replaced in Constantinople with a distribution of bread rather than grain.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on the life of the Byzantine general Constantine Palaiologos who passed on May 5th in 1306:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_Palaiologos_(son_of_Michael_VIII)

 

He was the son of Emperor Michael VII, and was a successful general until he was slandered and forced to retire to a monastery.  Much of the of the palace he was born in is still standing. 

Interestingly his only son John Palaiologos, who served as governor of Thessalonica, rebelled against the Empire for a time. He rejoined after being offered the position of Caesar in 1326 AD.  He may be the last recorded holder of the title of Caesar.  

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, an interesting article about "miraculous" Byzantine eye therapies: 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/05/01/byzantine-eye-therapies/

An interesting peek (see what I did there?) into the medicine of the Eastern Roman Empire!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we commemorate the birth of the Emperor Constantine III, on May 3rd in 612 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_III_(Byzantine_emperor)

There should be cake!  :)

He was the eldest son of the Emperor Heraclius and his first wife Eudokia. He had been raised as Co-Emperor in 613 AD, and remained co-Emperor until 641 AD. He reigned as sole ruler for only three months in 641 AD before dying of illness. He was the father of Emperor Constans II.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus