Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect with sadness on the Byzantine defeat at the Battle of Heliopolis on July 6th in 640 AD:

 

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

 

The loss to Islamic forces led to the permanent loss of Egypt as a Roman province. Egypt had been added to the Roman Empire by Augustus after the defeat of Cleopatra in 30 AD, so Egypt had been part of the Roman Empire for 610 years.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we commemorate the official opening of Constantine's Bridge across the Danube, which was ceremonially done in the presence of Emperor Constantine himself on July 5th in 328 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine's_Bridge_(Danube)

It is believed that the Emperor Valens used the bridge to cross the Danube during his campaign against the Goths in 367 AD.

 

Interestingly, coins minted by Constantine with a bridge on the reverse were long thought to represent the Milvian Bridge. However the  Milvian Bridge is still standing and the bridge on the coins looks nothing like it, so they probably represent Constantine's Bridge which was built on pontoons instead of being an arched bridge. Truly this was a marvel; it was the longest river bridge in all of antiquity being 2,434 meters in length!

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

Excellent news today, the site of a lost Byzantine city has been discovered at the Dakhla oasis in Egypt: 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/07/03/byzantine-city-egypt-dakhla-oasis/

This is a well preserved site and some interesting items have been found, including gold coins dating to the reign of Emperor Constantius II and over 200 ostraca, (writings on broken pottery) which give wonderful insight into the daily life of the city. 

It isn't every day a new Byzantine city is discovered - there should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the victory of Constantine I over the forces of Licinius in the Battle of Adrianople on July 3rd in 324 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Adrianople_(324)

The result was a resounding victory for Constantine I. Licinius fled to Byzantium (soon to be Constantinople) and Licinius was defeated again in the battle of Chrysopolis on the 18th of September.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

Today we commemorate the Imperial Army proclaiming Nikephoros II Phocas as Emperor on the plains outside Cappadocian Caeserea on July 2nd in 963 AD: 

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

His military successes were an important part of the Byzantine resurgence of the 10th century.

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

I'm pleased to announce the polling is now open for the Chariots of Fire race in the Hippodrome on July 20th, 2026!

https://take.quiz-maker.com/poll5810549xeBE44FAF-168

You have 20 days to support either the Blues or the Greens by voting in the poll! 

Once again -  this race is not simply a vote. Your voting in the poll will increase the percentage chances your team will win - but there will still be an element of chance in the final race calculations.

This race is sponsored by our Byzantium Novum Church forum at https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovumChurch in honor of the Prophet Elijah, who ascended to heaven on a fiery chariot. This was a historical day of celebration in the Hippodrome in Constantinople. 

As mentioned, we are encouraging Citizens to cheer on their favorite faction on our Main Forum https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovum and in the Hippodrome: https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovumHippodrome  . Anyone posting support for the race or either team will receive honorable mention in the next issue of the Basilica, and will also receive a virtual race token to commemorate their participation. 

Fair warning: I will be posting about the Chariots of Fire race gain to keep this all active. 

May the best team win!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we celebrate Byzantine victory in the battle of Anchialus on June 30th in 763 AD: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Anchialus_(763)

The Byzantines were led by Emperor Constantine V against Bulgarian forces under Khan Telets. The Bulgarians had the high ground but charged into the lowlands to the Byzantines, most likely thinking they could sweep the field with momentum. Instead the Byzantine forces held. The battle lasted all day from sunrise to sunset, and was a firm Byzantine victory.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus