Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the Emperor Anastasius I becoming Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire on April 11th in 491 AD:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasius_I_Dicorus

Even though he was in his 60's when he assumed the throne he reigned long and well with many impressive achievements. Anastasius reformed Byzantine coinage which greatly improved the economy and Byzantine treasury, built the Chalke Gate in Constantinople, built the amazing Anastasian wall across all of Thrace, and dredged a harbor which was a project first suggested by Pliny the Elder centuries earlier. 

One of my favorite Emperors... :)   

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we celebrate the birth of the Emperor Theodosius II on April 10th in 401 AD:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodosius_II

 

He was the son of the Emperor Arcadius and Empress Aelia Eudoxia. Thodosius II is mostly known for promulgating the Theodosian Law Code, and for the construction of the Theodosian Walls in Constantinople.

Yes, you guessed it... there should be cake! :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on  Crusader and Venetian forces attacked the fortifications at the Golden Horn during the Latin siege of Constantinople on April 9th in 1204 AD:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_(1204)

 

The assault forces were driven back and troops that landed came under heavy archery fire between the shore and the city walls.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 In the news, an article on the Byzantine scholars who helped shape the Renaissance in the West: 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/04/07/greatest-byzantine-greek-scholars-renaissance/

Scholars leaving the East after the fall of Constantinople brought much ancient Greek knowledge with them, helping to re-awaken Civilization in the West. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on the Western Emperor Honorius banning barbarian costume in Rome on April 7th in 397 AD:

 

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

 

His edict specifically banned the wearing of pants (braccae) which were considered uncivilized. 

This edict was likely meant to preserve Classical tradition and the image of Rome as a capital city. The Roman army had long adopted braccae for cold weather, this may also have been intended to prevent Rome from beginning to seem like an armed camp. 

This was in fact not the first fashion decree in the Roman world. Sumptuary laws centuries earlier had banned extravagant and expensive dress during difficult times. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today marks our commemoration of the beginning of the final Siege of Constantinople on April 6th in 1453 AD:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Constantinople

 

At the beginning of the siege, Mehmed sent out some of his best troops to reduce the remaining Byzantine strongholds outside the city of Constantinople. The fortress of Therapia on the Bosphorus and a smaller castle at the village of Studius near the Sea of Marmara were taken within a few days.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

In the news - a story of a baptismal site discovered in the ancient city of Hippos (again, "Hipp-oss", not the animal!) in Israel: 

 

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-891771

 

It looks like archaeology has been continuing on the site, which is a wonderful thing!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus