Greetings all, 

 

Today we reflect on the infamous life of Count Ricimer, who controlled the Western Roman Empire behind the scenes from 461 aD to August 18th in 472 AD:

 

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

 

He was a Romanized German who exercized his rule through a series of puppet Emperors the last of which was Anthemius, who was actually competent and might well have saved the Western half of Rome. Ricimer died just six weeks after his murder of Anthemius.  

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

Today we commemorate with sadness the Byzantine defeat at the hands of Bulgarian forces in the battle of the Gates of Trajan, fought on August 17th in 986 AD:

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

 

It was the largest military loss for the Empire under Basil II.  The Byzantine army had tried to take the city of Sredetz without success, and were forced to withdraw due to a lack of supplies. 

 

Other Bulgarian units had fortified mountain passes near the remains of a fort built during the reign of the Emperor Trajan and blocked the retreat, which turned into a rout. Basil II barely escaped with his life. This narrow escape may even have contributed to his later harshness in finishing the Bulgarian War.

 

The old fort gates where the battle was fought may still be visited in Bulgaria. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we celebrate Nikephoros II Phokas being crowned as Emperor on August 16th in 963 AD:

 

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

 

Nikephoros was a popular army commander, who completed the conquest of Cicilia and retook the islands of Crete and Cyprus. His successful led to a Byzantine resurgence in the 10th century.

 

There should be cake!  :)

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

Today we commemorate with sadness the fall of the Empire of Trebizond on August 15th in 1461 AD: 

 

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

 

Constantinople had fallen in 1453, leaving Trebizond as the largest Byzantine territory remaining.  David, the last ruler of Trebizond had attempted to intrigue with the West against Ottoman rule, even considering retaking Jerusalem. Mehmed II heard of the plotting and quickly besieged Trebizond before it could prepare defense. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 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