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

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In September 629, after six years of campaigning, Heraclius returned to Constantinople. The True Cross—recovered from the Persians—had already been sent ahead and exalted in the city. The emperor himself was received at Hiereia on the Asian shore by his son Heraclius Constantine, Patriarch Sergius, and crowds carrying lamps and olive branches:

 

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

 

This was not the later Western legend of a proud emperor barred from Jerusalem’s gate until he walked barefoot. In the capital it was a carefully staged adventus: victory, relic, and restored order after the long Persian war. Months later, in March 630, Heraclius would personally restore the Cross to the Holy Sepulchre. The Constantinople reception marked the moment the relic first re-entered the heart of the empire. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the Byzantine victory at the  battle of Ad Decimum on September 13th in 533 AD:  

 

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

 

Ad Decimum was fought between Vandals under King Gaesric and Byzantine forces under General Belisarius. It happened around the site of ancient Carthage, as did other engagements that year.

 

This This Byzantine victory marked the beginning of the end for the Vandals and began the reconquest of the west under the Emperor Justinian I. 

 

There should be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the revolt against Emperor Andronikos  I by Isaac II Angelos on September 11 in 1185 AD: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_II_Angelos#Rising_by_revolt.

 

Along with his father and brothers, Isaac II had been involved in the revolts of Nicea and Prousa, but had not been punished by Andronikos 1 for disloyalty. However, while Andronikos I was away from the capital his lieutenant Stephen Hagiochristophorites moved to arrest Isaac. Isaac killed him and took refuge in the Hagia Sophia and appealed to the populace. When Andronikos returned to Constantinople he found he had lost popular support.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

Greetings all, 

On this day we commemorate the birth of the future Western Roman Emperor Honorius on in Constantinople on September 9th in 384 AD: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorius_(emperor)

 

He was the younger brother of Arcadius who later became Emperor of the East. Neither were considered effective rulers, but they also did no particular harm either. 

There should still be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus