Greetings all, 

Today we commemorate the city of Ravenna becoming the seat of the Byzantine military governor (the Exarch in Italy on August 14th in 554 AD: 

 

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Exarchate_of_Ravenna

 

The new Exarchate of Ravenna cemented the Eastern Empire's control over the Italian peninsula after the Gothic War.  Ravenna remained the center of Byzantine power in the West for nearly 200 years. The city became a dazzling fusion of East and West, home to some of the most breathtaking ancient mosaics still in existence today. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we we celebrate the Emperor Maurice officially becoming the rule of the Eastern Roman Empire on August 13th in 582 AD:

 

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

Maurice was a skilled general who was victorious in the Byzantine-Sassanian war which had begun in 572 AD. He expanded Byzantine territory in the South Caucasus, and during his reign the Byzantine Empire no longer paid the Persians thousands of pounds in gold annually for peace.

Maurice was declared one of the Heroes of Byzantium Novum in April of this year.  
 

There should be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 Greetings all, 

In the news, a Roman/Byzantine era complex dating  from the 3rd to 5th centuries is being excavated and restored for display in Athens: 

 

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1312283/roman-era-complex-uncovered-in-athens-to-be-restored-and-showcased/

 

The site is near the Temple of Olympian Zeus. After restoration and the archaeological site will be showcased as part of the modern city. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

Today we reflect on the Gaulish usurper Claudius Silvanus being declared Emperor of the West by his troops on August 11th in 355 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvanus_(magister_peditum) 

Silvanus had sided with Emperor Constantius II against Licinius, and Constantius II had appointed him Magister Peditum in Gaul.  Sadly Silvanus seems to have had enemies, and an official named Dymanus (probably on the orders of someone else) forged documents about Sylvanus intending to claim the throne, and send them to Constantius II. 

Constantius was extremely paranoid about usurpers (he'd murdered most of his relatives as a result). Even though there were many who stood up for Sylvanus, Constantius II would not allow him to prove loyalty or clear his name. 

In order to avoid summary execution Sylvanus ended up having to declare himself emperor in any case.  His attempt was unsuccessful and his reluctant revolt lasted only 28 days. He never got as far as the coin mint at Trier, so he minted no coins before his revolution failed. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

Greetings all, 

I am pleased to announce a new race in the Hippodrome - the Games of Sol and Luna on August 28th! 

These were ancient races, set in the Circus Maximus of Rome. These public games did last into the Byzantine Era, at least until the 390's AD, and they symbolized the balance of Cosmic order as we head toward the Fall Equinox.  They of course honored the Sun, Sol, and the Goddess of the Moon, Luna. 

The Games of Sol and Luna will run in the same format as the Chariots of Fire race this last month.  Citizens can vote for their favorite team The Blues or the Greens. Your official vote will increase the percentage chance of your team winning while still leaving an element of chance!

Vote for your favorite race faction here: https://take.quiz-maker.com/QEIYLFN26    

Will the Blues hold on to their traditional lead here in Byzantium Novum, or will the Greens have their first upset?  Help decide! Voting will end on August 28th and the winning faction will be announced. 

We're doing our best to increase Citizen participation with these games -  and we encourage you to post in support of your racing faction. As with the last race, anyone who posts their support to the Hippodrome list: https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovumHippodrome or to the Byzantium Novum Forum:  https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovum

will receive a virtual race token as a thank you, and will receive honorable public mention in an upcoming issue of the Basilica.  

This race is sponsored by the Classical Church of Byzantium Novum  official forum:   https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovumClassicalReligion. 

Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

Today we reflect with sadness on the Byzantine defeat at the disastrous battle of Adrianople, fought between Byzantine forces and the Goths on August 9th in 378 AD: 

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

The Eastern Roman Emperor Valens and half his army were killed. This battle is thought to have been a major cause of the later downfall of the Western half of the Empire. 

I've only just seen a page from Gordon Doherty about all this, from 2019. I find it fascinating:  

https://www.gordondoherty.co.uk/writeblog/thebattleofadrianople

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news - low water levels on the Danube in Bulgaria have exposed parts of the famous bridge of Emperor Constantine I : 

 

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1311793/low-danube-water-levels-in-bulgaria-expose-roman-era-bridge/

 

It was inaugurated on July 5th in 328 AD, and was the longest bridge in antiquity, spanning a little over 2 km (1.2 miles.)  It is fascinating that part of it still remains!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus