Greetings all,

 Today we commemorate the life and legacy of the Roman general Flavius Aetius, who was killed through court intrigue on September 21st in 454 AD:

 

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

 

Known as "The last of the Romans", Flavius Aetius had stopped Attila the Hun at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains. Aetius was the most influential man in the Empire for two decades and his untimely death greatly weakened the Western Roman Empire.

 

Let us celebrate his impressive victories and accomplishments, and reflect on his example of Romanitas.

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the marriage of Emperor Alexios III of Trebizond and the Empress Theodora Kantakouzene on September 20th in 1351 AD:

 

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

 

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

They were both about 13 at the time and this would have been an event with public celebration and feasting. The marriage was a successful one - the couple had seven children together, one of whom was the Emperor Manuel III. 

 

There should be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we celebrate the birth of Emperor Leo VI the Wise born on  September 19th in 866 AD:

 

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

 

He was well read, which led to his epithet. During his reign there was a renaissance of letters and learning and he himself wrote several works, including a 6 volume set of 60 works, known as the Basilika. 

 

There should be cake! :)

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

On this day we commemorate the Emperor Constantine's victory over Licinius in the Battle of Chrysopolis on September 18th in 324 AD with the celebration of the Ludi Triumphales: 

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

Licinius had been defeated at the Battle of the Hellespoint, and retreated to Chalcedon in Bithinia. Constantine's forces followed and attacked, routing Licinius' forces.  Licinius escaped and fled with 30,000 troops to Nicomedia, but this defeat established Contantine's sole rule over the Empire and the end of the Tetrarchy. 

After this event, today was the date of the Ludi Triumphales, public games inaugurated by the Emperor Constantine to commemorate this event: 

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

Today would have been marked with games in the Hippodrome and public feasting - celebrations continued until September 22nd. 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

Today we commemorate with sadness the Byzantine defeat in the battle of Myriokephalon on September 17th in 1176 AD: 

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

The Byzantine army led by Manuel I Komnenos were ambushed by Seljuk Turks while traveling through a narrow pass. This ended Byzantine hopes for saving Anatolia for the Empire. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

In the news, researchers analyzing ancient roadways have concluded that from around 150 AD onward, more roads lead to Byzantium than to Rome: 

 

https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2026/09/not-all-roads-led-to-rome-scientists-discover-byzantium-was-the-empires-real-hub/

 

Even before it became the capital of Rome and renamed Constantinople, it seems that "all roads led to Byzantium" because of trade. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the life of the Emperor Constans II who ruled from November in 641 AD to September 15th, in 668 AD:

 

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

 

Sadly his reign was one of difficulty as the province of Egypt lost under his rule. Constans II was the last Emperor to actively serve in the office of Consul, and during his reign there was contact with the Tang Dynasty of China. He also visited Rome, and was the first Emperor to do so since the Western Empire had fallen.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org