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

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on Emperor Nikephoros I capturing the Bulgarian Capital of Pliska on July 23rd in 811 AD:

 

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

 

After securing the city Nikephoros plundered the treasury of Krum, the Bulgarian king. While plundering treasure may sound like fun, this got Nikephoros I killed during a later battle of Pliska... and Krum ended up making a drinking cup out of his skull. 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

Greetings all,

 Today we commemorate with sadness the Byzantine defeat in the Battle of Anzan fought against Arab forces on July 22 in 838 AD:

 

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

The Byzantine army was initially successful, but the Emperor Theophilos was determined to lead a charge himself. His absence at his usual place caused the army to fear that he had been killed, and they broke under a fierce counterattack. The Emperor was in fact uninjured and although he was besieged on a hilltop for a time he and his guard were able to escape.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

In the news, an article on the underground Byzantine church beneath a fortress in Cappadocia: 

 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/07/19/byzantine-church-underground-city-turkey/

 

The church dates to the 5th century and has well preserved frescoes.  A very interesting site!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus