Greetings all, 

 

In the news, an interesting article about the ancient Byzantine ivory "Throne of Maximian": 

 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/08/24/throne-maximian-byzantine-imperial-control/

 

It really dates from the reign of Emperor Justinian I and was a gift from Justinian for (and message to!) the city of Ravenna.  This ornate throne is a fascinating object with a story unfamiliar to many, so great to see it in the news! 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we reflect with sadness on the Byzantine defeat in the Battle of Manzikert, fought between the armies of Emperor Romanos IV and Seljuk forces on August 26th in 1071 AD:

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

"The brunt of the battle was borne by the professional soldiers from the eastern and western tagmata, as large numbers of the mercenaries and Anatolian levies fled early and survived the battle. The fallout from Manzikert was near disastrous for the empire, with subsequent numerous civil conflicts and an economic crisis severely weakening the empire's ability to adequately defend its borders. This led to the mass movement of Turks into central Anatolia and by 1080, an area of 30,000 square miles (78,000 km2) had been lost to the empire. It took a decade of internal strife before Alexios I Komnenos (1081 to 1118) brought stability back to the empire."

Interestingly historians now agree that the battle was not the massacre it was once thought to be. While the Byzantines were routed, most military units survived and were fighting elsewhere within a few months. The capture and captivity of Romanos IV seem to have helped turn the battle into legend. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

Today we commemorate the Emperor Marcian being crowned on August 25th in 450 AD:

 

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

 

He was chosen by the powerful general Aspar and married to Pulcheria, the sister of the late Emperor Theodosius II, to continue the imperial dynasty.  Marcian ended the Empire's crippling tribute payments to Attila the Hun and even launched successful attacks into Hunnic territory.

Domestically, he restored the empire's finances, leaving a full treasury. The most significant event of his rule was convening the Council of Chalcedon in 451, which defined the orthodox Christian doctrine of Christ's two natures, divine and human. 

 

Marcian's reign is often remembered as a period of stability and recovery for the Eastern Empire, standing in stark contrast to the turmoil that was consuming the Western Roman Empire at the same time.

- Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on the Sack of Rome by the Visigoths on August 24th in 410 AD:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_of_Rome_(410)

 

 This was the first time Rome had been taken by a foreign enemy in 800 years. Although Rome was not the political capital at this time, it was still the Eternal City and this event was a huge cultural shock to the entire Classical world. Imperial buildings at the city center were structurally damaged, Imperial tombs were looted, and even the Emperor's sister, Gallia Placidia was captured. 

 

In spite of all this, the Imperium survived. Power had been shifting to the East for a hundred years, and the Empire would continue - and this event would contribute to the Eastern Roman Empire becoming more important. 

 

- Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

Today we reflect on Eugenius being raised as Emperor of the West on August 22nd in 392 AD: 

 

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

 

 He was elevated to this position by the Arborgast, the Magister Militarium of the Western Empire.  Eugenius was a former Rhetor (teacher) who Arborgast felt would be a candidate acceptable to the Eastern Empire.  

Although Eugenius was a Christian, he appealed to the discontented Pagan factions in Rome. He restored the Temple of Venus and Roma, and also restored the Altar of Victory to the Roman Senate. He was the last Roman to raise Pagan standard in battle. He was defeated by the Emperor Theodosius I after half his troops defected to the other side the night before the battle of of  Frigidus in 394 AD. 

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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