Greetings all, 

In the news, an article about Byzantine "Warrior Saints": 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/04/11/warrior-saints-byzantine-empire/

An interesting exploration of Saints that  were venerated as protectors of armies and cities throughout the Byzantine world. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we commemorate John VII Palaiologos becoming Emperor on April 14th in 1309 AD: 

 

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

He was ousted after five months by his uncle Manuel, but never gave up his claim to the throne. Later in 1399 the Ottomans besieged Constantinople and John VII successfully defended the city for three years until his uncles return. John VII then negotiated a favorable treaty with the Ottomans which returned the city of Thessalonica (whch had been lost in 1387) to the Byzantine Empire. 

An impressive legacy - he could have lived a life fighting civil war but instead continued to work for the health of the Empire. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus  

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect with sadness on the Latin crusaders taking the last parts of Constantinople on April 13th in 1204 AD:

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

They had breached the seaward walls at the Golden Horn the day before. Once they were inside the walls it was impossible to hold them from capturing the remainder of the city. This temporarily ended Byzantine rule in the city for the next half century.

In the wake of this event the Byzantines established the Despotate of Epirus, the Empire of Nicea, and the Empire of Trebizond which lasted until 1479, 1264, and 1461 respectively.

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, the discovery of a 6th century fortified Byzantine monastery in Alicante, Spain: 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/04/08/rare-byzantine-fort-el-monastil-spain/

The site was called Elum in Latin, and was located along the Via Augusta. Both military and religious artifacts have been found, including parts of armor from the fortifications, and altar and other religious parts inside the site church. Archaeology is hopefully ongoing in this fascinating site!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the Emperor Anastasius I becoming Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire on April 11th in 491 AD:

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

Even though he was in his 60's when he assumed the throne he reigned long and well with many impressive achievements. Anastasius reformed Byzantine coinage which greatly improved the economy and Byzantine treasury, built the Chalke Gate in Constantinople, built the amazing Anastasian wall across all of Thrace, and dredged a harbor which was a project first suggested by Pliny the Elder centuries earlier. 

One of my favorite Emperors... :)   

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we celebrate the birth of the Emperor Theodosius II on April 10th in 401 AD:

 

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

 

He was the son of the Emperor Arcadius and Empress Aelia Eudoxia. Thodosius II is mostly known for promulgating the Theodosian Law Code, and for the construction of the Theodosian Walls in Constantinople.

Yes, you guessed it... there should be cake! :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on  Crusader and Venetian forces attacked the fortifications at the Golden Horn during the Latin siege of Constantinople on April 9th in 1204 AD:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_(1204)

 

The assault forces were driven back and troops that landed came under heavy archery fire between the shore and the city walls.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus