Greetings all,

On this day we reflect on the Emperor Julian burned his supply ships on the Tigris river before heading to the interior of Persia during his Persian Campaign on June 16th in 363 AD:

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

His armies had won a battle at Ctesiphon, the Persian capital, but his forces were unable to mount a successful siege of the city. Not wanting to withdraw and being unwilling to leave the ships for approaching enemy forces, Julian ordered the ships burned before moving forward. This possible path of retreat was later cut off in any case and the Emperor was killed while his armies fought their way out of Persia. 

Julian likely ordered the ships burned because he was a learned historian. Alexander the Great had burned his ships when attacking Persia to make sure his men would fight harder knowing they had no escape. Military tactics aside, Julian may have thought following this successful historical example would be a good omen. 

Julian's uncle, the Emperor Constantius II had fallen ill and died while beginning a campaign against the Persians and they had remained a threat since. As Julian had secured the Western provinces while serving as Caesar, he had surely hoped to gain complete security for the Empire as a whole through victory in the East.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the life of Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos who passed in exile on  on June 15th in 948 AD:

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

He was one of the few who became emperor by suffering a major military defeat! He turned out to be a competent ruler however, seeking peace where he could and protecting small farmers from wealthy landowners.  He had 9 children and through them left a large extended family legacy of many emperors and empresses. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, an article about Anna Komnene as an example of female empowerment in Byzantium:

https://greekreporter.com/2026/06/10/byzantine-princess-anna-komnene-medieval-women-silent/

Always good to see Byzantium getting into public view - and being a positive inspiration!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this day we commemorate the Edict of Milan , which was issued by Emperor Constantine I and his co-Emperor Licinius on June 13th in 313 AD:

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

This was the official publication of the new policy of religious tolerance in the Empire, especially directed at ending the persecution of Christians.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the usurper Procopius On this day we reflect on the death of the usurper Procopius on, May 27th in 366 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procopius_(usurper)

He was a relative of the Emperor Julian and one of the generals that went on his Persian campaign. He was tasked with fortifying the border in case of Persian counterattack. After Julian's death, (apparently false) rumors that Julian had wanted Procopius to succeed him began to circulate -  which put him under suspicion by the Emperors Jovian, and Valentinian I.  

Procopius attempted to flee and hide, but ended up having to declare himself Emperor in self defense, after it became impossible for him to hide from Imperial persecution. He gained the support of two legions and held the provinces of Thrace and Bithynia. His forces were defeated in two battles and he was later captured. The Emperor Anthemius was Procopius' grandson. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

Today we reflect on Emperor Basil I (the Macedonian, not "the Great")  being crowned as Co-Emperor by Emperor Michael III on May 26th in 866 AD: 

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

In spite of coming from humble origins (and eventually murdering his unpopular predecessor) Basil ended up becoming an effective and respected ruler in spite

of having a complicated life. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, an interesting opinion article on how the Byzantine Empire saved Europe: 

https://neoskosmos.com/en/2026/05/25/dialogue/opinion/byzantine-empire-medieval-greek-empire-that-saved-europe/

Always good to see the contributions of the Eastern Roman Empire being in the public eye.  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus