Greetings all,

Today we commemorate Theophilos becoming Emperor on October 2nd in 829 AD: 

 

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

 

He was the son of Emperor Michael II and was the last Byzantine Emperor to support Iconoclasm. He was a brave man, a just ruler and good administrator. However  his overall lack of success in battles against the Arabs was later taken as a sign that iconoclasm was no guarantee of divine military favor. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news - ancient Byzantine seals and coins mostly from the reign of Emperor Justinian I have been recovered at Markeli fortress in Bulgaria: 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/10/01/byzantine-seals-coins-bulgaria-markeli-fortress/

Excavations are ongoing so hopefully more information and finds will be presented in the next few weeks.  

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

In the news - Greece and Bulgaria have reached an agreement that will see the remains of the medieval Bulgarian ruler Tsar Samuel returned to Bulgaria more than 60 years after they were discovered in northern Greece. 

 

https://www.medievalists.net/2026/09/greece-to-return-remains-of-medieval-tsar-samuel-to-bulgaria/

 

In exchange, 48 religious and cultural objects taken from Greece during the First World War will be returned by Bulgaria.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

Today we reflect on Procopius declaring himself Emperor of the West on September 28th in 265 AD:

 

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

 

He was a cousin of the Emperor Julian. and had served as a tribune and as an Envoy. During Julian's Persian campaign Procopius commanded 30,000 troops tasked with making fortifications in Mesopotamia. He later fell under suspicion of plotting revolt under Valentinian I and Valens. He at first tried to hide but ended up having to attempt to take the throne in order to save himself.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, an interesting article on the Ostrogoth kingdom formed after the fall of the Western Empire: 

https://www.thecollector.com/ostrogoth-invasions-italy/

A good overview of Odoacer and Theodoric, their relationship with Constantinople, and how Justianian finally came to retake Italy. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today  we commemorate the crowning of Tiberius II Constantius as Emperor on September 26th in 578 AD:
 

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

 

He was the first Greek speaking Emperor, and was a successful military commander, successful in both battle and negotiations. He was tall and handsome, and for the most part popular with his subjects.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we celebrate the birth of Emperor Leo IV (The Khazar) on January 25th in 750 AD:

 

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

 

There should be cake!  :)

 

He was the son of Constantine V. Leo IV became sole Emperor after his fathers death in September of 775. He fought a successful campaign against the Abbasids before himself succumbing to illness in 780 AD.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org