Greetings all,

Today we commemorate Heraclius the Elder taking power from the Emperor Phocas in the culmination of the Heraclian revolution on October 3rd in 610 AD:

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

Heraclius had been the Exarch of Carthage during the ruinous reign of the Emperor Phocas, and finally rose into rebellion. He cut off the grain supply and with his brother Gregorius sailed to Constantinople. Upon entering the city on this day he was greeted by the people as their deliverer.

 

His son, Heraclius the Younger was crowned Emperor on October 10th.

 

Heraclius the Elder was named a Hero of Byzantium Novum in 2018.  Heraclius the Younger was named a Hero of Byzantium Novum in 2019. 

 

There should be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus
www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, a fascinating article about the extensive Justinian I era tunnels that have been found under the Hagia Sophia: 

 

https://en.protothema.gr/2026/09/22/the-underground-secrets-of-hagia-sophia-in-constantinople-hundreds-of-meters-of-tunnels-designed-by-justinian-himself-video-photos/

 

They seem to have been incorporated in the building plan to help the Hagia Sophia withstand earthquakes, but they were also secret passages that led to the imperial palace. Who knows how many secrets they held over time? 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus
www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we celebrate Empress Euphemia (the wife of Justin I) being crowned on September 23rd in 518 AD:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphemia_(empress)

 

She originally had the Roman name Lupicina and took the name Euphemia upon becoming Empress. She became an equal ruler with her husband and was admired by many.  She and Justin I were both in their later years when they gained the throne. She ruled from 518 to 524 AD and founded a church in to her namesake, Saint Euphemia. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

Greetings all,

 Today we commemorate the Emperor John VII Palaiologos who ruled various Byzantine territories from 1390 to September 22nd in 1408 AD:

 

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

He was supposed to become the Eastern Roman Emperor but was deposed by his uncle Manuel II. John VII never gave up claim to the throne and the two had a difficult relationship. 

 

However, John VII successfully defended Constantinople for over three years against a long Ottoman siege while Manuel II went to Europe for military aid. After the siege ended John VII was given rule over Thessalonica as "Emperor of all the Thessaly" and there John VII proved to be an able and well liked ruler.

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

 Today we commemorate the rule of Emperor Leo IV (The Khazar who ruled from the 14th of September 775 AD to September 8th in 780 AD: 

 

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

 

He was the son of Emperor Constantine V and the Empress Tzitzak. He was made sole Emperor in 775 AD. In 778 he raided Abbasid Syria and defeated the Abbasid army outside of the city of Germanicia in Turkey and also repelled a later Abbasid invasion of Asia Minor. He was succeed by his wife Irene as regent and later Empress.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the Frankish General and Magister Militum Claudius Silvanus who briefly attempted to usurp Gaul from August 10th to September 7th in 355 AD:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudius_Silvanus   He was a Frankish general in Gaul who had supported the Emperor Constantius II against Magentius in the Battle of Mursa Major, rising to the important rank of Magister Militum.    Constantius II tasked him with forcing the Alemanni tribe back beyond the Rhine which he managed to do, thereby restoring the eroding Roman province. Sadly the corrupt court of Constantius II then convinced the Emperor that Silvanus was plotting against him. The historian Ammianus wrote that  Silvanus discovered the plot against him and proclaimed himself Emperor briefly in self defense. There are no coins to support this as it is recorded the Imperial mint in Trier barred it's gates against him, helping to disrupt the revolt.    -Marcus Cassius Julianus www.byzantiumnovum.org

Greetings all, 

Today we commemorate the Battle of Frigidus River, fought between forces of the Western Emperor Eugenius and Eastern Emperor Theodosius I on September 6th in 394 AD: 

 

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

 

Theodosius I achieved a decisive victory.  This victory temporarily reunified the Roman Empire under a single emperor for the last time and solidified Christianity's dominance within the Empire. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

In the news, a Byzantine era church, built on the site of an ancient Roman wine press has been discovered in northern Jordan: 

 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/09/04/archaeologists-uncover-byzantine-wine-press-church-jordan/

 

Discoveries at the site, called Khirbet Qabla, have also included tombs. Interestingly it is being used as a site to train archaeology students, so excavations are ongoing!

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we celebrate the Byzantine victory at the Battle of Lalakon, fought between Byzantine and Arab forces on September 3rd in 863 AD: 

 

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

 

Abbasid Caliphate forces had invaded northern Turkey, and reached the Black Sea. The Byzantines marshaled their forces and encircled the Arab army near the river Lalakon. The Byzantine forces were victorious and the Arab emir was killed.

Eastern Rome was  thereafter able to mount a counteroffensive across the border. The Byzantine victories were decisive and paved the way for the Empire's ascendancy in the East, and the generals that won the victory were granted a triumphal entrance into Constantinople.

 

There should be cake!  :)

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

Today we commemorate the Western Emperor Constantius III  who ruled from February 8th to September 2nd in 421 AD: 

 

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

 

He had been magister militum under Emperor Honorius.  He led campaigns against various barbarian groups in Hispania and Gaul, and recovered much territory for the Empire. He was named co-Emperor by Honorius but died (apparently of natural causes) after ruling for only 7 months.

 He passed in the city of Ravenna. His wife and young son afterward went to Honorius' court in the Eastern Empire, and the child grew up to later be the Western Emperor Valentinian III.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the life of the Empress Theodora Porphyrogenita, who ruled in 1042 AD, and again from January 11, 1055 AD to August 31st in 1056 AD:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_(11th_century)

 

She was the daughter of Constantine VIII and was the younger sister of the Empress Zoe. Theodora only became involved in politics in her later years and was sole Empress (and a strong ruler) for 16 months until this day. She was the last ruler of the Macedonian line which had ruled Byzantium for 200 years.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on the life of Theodoric the Great, the King of the Ostrogoths who reigned from 471 AD to August 30th in 526 AD:

 

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

 

Theodoric was a hostage in Constantinople as a youth, where he received an education and learned to write. Although he was later often in hostilities with the Empire he was also made a Roman Patrician and served as Consul. He was allied with the Emperors Zeno and Justin I and for some years had good relations with the Senate. His people were Romanized and he allowed Romans to live in the West under their own laws.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

Today we reflect on the fall of the Byzantine city of Melite (on the island of Malta) to Islamic forces on August 29th in 870 AD:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Melite_(870)

 

The siege likely lasted for months.The Maltese islands had been part of the Roman world since the Republic, and the Byzantine empire since 535 AD. It remained in Arab hands from 870 until 1091 when the island was invaded by the Normans and became part of the Kingdom of Sicily.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

In the news, an interesting article about the ancient Byzantine ivory "Throne of Maximian": 

 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/08/24/throne-maximian-byzantine-imperial-control/

 

It really dates from the reign of Emperor Justinian I and was a gift from Justinian for (and message to!) the city of Ravenna.  This ornate throne is a fascinating object with a story unfamiliar to many, so great to see it in the news! 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we reflect with sadness on the Byzantine defeat in the Battle of Manzikert, fought between the armies of Emperor Romanos IV and Seljuk forces on August 26th in 1071 AD:

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

"The brunt of the battle was borne by the professional soldiers from the eastern and western tagmata, as large numbers of the mercenaries and Anatolian levies fled early and survived the battle. The fallout from Manzikert was near disastrous for the empire, with subsequent numerous civil conflicts and an economic crisis severely weakening the empire's ability to adequately defend its borders. This led to the mass movement of Turks into central Anatolia and by 1080, an area of 30,000 square miles (78,000 km2) had been lost to the empire. It took a decade of internal strife before Alexios I Komnenos (1081 to 1118) brought stability back to the empire."

Interestingly historians now agree that the battle was not the massacre it was once thought to be. While the Byzantines were routed, most military units survived and were fighting elsewhere within a few months. The capture and captivity of Romanos IV seem to have helped turn the battle into legend. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus