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

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

Today we commemorate the Emperor Marcian being crowned on August 25th in 450 AD:

 

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

 

He was chosen by the powerful general Aspar and married to Pulcheria, the sister of the late Emperor Theodosius II, to continue the imperial dynasty.  Marcian ended the Empire's crippling tribute payments to Attila the Hun and even launched successful attacks into Hunnic territory.

Domestically, he restored the empire's finances, leaving a full treasury. The most significant event of his rule was convening the Council of Chalcedon in 451, which defined the orthodox Christian doctrine of Christ's two natures, divine and human. 

 

Marcian's reign is often remembered as a period of stability and recovery for the Eastern Empire, standing in stark contrast to the turmoil that was consuming the Western Roman Empire at the same time.

- Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on the Sack of Rome by the Visigoths on August 24th in 410 AD:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_of_Rome_(410)

 

 This was the first time Rome had been taken by a foreign enemy in 800 years. Although Rome was not the political capital at this time, it was still the Eternal City and this event was a huge cultural shock to the entire Classical world. Imperial buildings at the city center were structurally damaged, Imperial tombs were looted, and even the Emperor's sister, Gallia Placidia was captured. 

 

In spite of all this, the Imperium survived. Power had been shifting to the East for a hundred years, and the Empire would continue - and this event would contribute to the Eastern Roman Empire becoming more important. 

 

- Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

Today we reflect on Eugenius being raised as Emperor of the West on August 22nd in 392 AD: 

 

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

 

 He was elevated to this position by the Arborgast, the Magister Militarium of the Western Empire.  Eugenius was a former Rhetor (teacher) who Arborgast felt would be a candidate acceptable to the Eastern Empire.  

Although Eugenius was a Christian, he appealed to the discontented Pagan factions in Rome. He restored the Temple of Venus and Roma, and also restored the Altar of Victory to the Roman Senate. He was the last Roman to raise Pagan standard in battle. He was defeated by the Emperor Theodosius I after half his troops defected to the other side the night before the battle of of  Frigidus in 394 AD. 

 

 -Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

Today we reflect on the beginning of the Emperor Justin II's second reign on August 21st in 705 AD: 

 

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

 

He had become Emperor in 685 AD, and was deposed and exiled in 695 AD. He managed to return at the head of a Bulgarian army on this day. 

Justinian II seems to have wished to emulate his namesake - only without having the same skills. Instead of expanding the empire he harmed it through harsh and despotic rule. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

In breaking news today, a seal of the Empress Irene Komnene has been discovered in the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon: 

 

https://www.bta.bg/en/news/1188591-seal-of-byzantine-empress-irene-komnene-discovered-at-perperikon

 

The discovery is so new it hasn't reached most of the news outlets yet.  Archaeology is still ongoing at the site!

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

Greetings all, 

 Public reminder - The Games of Sol and Luna Hippodrome race continues until August 28th!

 

Vote for your favorite race faction here: https://take.quiz-maker.com/QEIYLFN26    

 

Your vote increases the odds of your team's victory! Anyone who posts their support to the Hippodrome list: https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovumHippodrome or to the Byzantium Novum Forum:  https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovum will receive a virtual race token as a thank you, and will receive honorable public mention in an upcoming issue of the Basilica.  

 

This race is sponsored by the Classical Church of Byzantium Novum  official forum:   https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovumClassicalReligion. 

 

Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

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

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

Today we reflect on the Gaulish usurper Claudius Silvanus being declared Emperor of the West by his troops on August 11th in 355 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvanus_(magister_peditum) 

Silvanus had sided with Emperor Constantius II against Licinius, and Constantius II had appointed him Magister Peditum in Gaul.  Sadly Silvanus seems to have had enemies, and an official named Dymanus (probably on the orders of someone else) forged documents about Sylvanus intending to claim the throne, and send them to Constantius II. 

Constantius was extremely paranoid about usurpers (he'd murdered most of his relatives as a result). Even though there were many who stood up for Sylvanus, Constantius II would not allow him to prove loyalty or clear his name. 

In order to avoid summary execution Sylvanus ended up having to declare himself emperor in any case.  His attempt was unsuccessful and his reluctant revolt lasted only 28 days. He never got as far as the coin mint at Trier, so he minted no coins before his revolution failed. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

Greetings all, 

I am pleased to announce a new race in the Hippodrome - the Games of Sol and Luna on August 28th! 

These were ancient races, set in the Circus Maximus of Rome. These public games did last into the Byzantine Era, at least until the 390's AD, and they symbolized the balance of Cosmic order as we head toward the Fall Equinox.  They of course honored the Sun, Sol, and the Goddess of the Moon, Luna. 

The Games of Sol and Luna will run in the same format as the Chariots of Fire race this last month.  Citizens can vote for their favorite team The Blues or the Greens. Your official vote will increase the percentage chance of your team winning while still leaving an element of chance!

Vote for your favorite race faction here: https://take.quiz-maker.com/QEIYLFN26    

Will the Blues hold on to their traditional lead here in Byzantium Novum, or will the Greens have their first upset?  Help decide! Voting will end on August 28th and the winning faction will be announced. 

We're doing our best to increase Citizen participation with these games -  and we encourage you to post in support of your racing faction. As with the last race, anyone who posts their support to the Hippodrome list: https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovumHippodrome or to the Byzantium Novum Forum:  https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovum

will receive a virtual race token as a thank you, and will receive honorable public mention in an upcoming issue of the Basilica.  

This race is sponsored by the Classical Church of Byzantium Novum  official forum:   https://groups.io/g/ByzantiumNovumClassicalReligion. 

Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

Today we reflect with sadness on the Byzantine defeat at the disastrous battle of Adrianople, fought between Byzantine forces and the Goths on August 9th in 378 AD: 

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

The Eastern Roman Emperor Valens and half his army were killed. This battle is thought to have been a major cause of the later downfall of the Western half of the Empire. 

I've only just seen a page from Gordon Doherty about all this, from 2019. I find it fascinating:  

https://www.gordondoherty.co.uk/writeblog/thebattleofadrianople

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news - low water levels on the Danube in Bulgaria have exposed parts of the famous bridge of Emperor Constantine I : 

 

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1311793/low-danube-water-levels-in-bulgaria-expose-roman-era-bridge/

 

It was inaugurated on July 5th in 328 AD, and was the longest bridge in antiquity, spanning a little over 2 km (1.2 miles.)  It is fascinating that part of it still remains!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this day, August 6th 626 AD during a part of overall hostilities with the Sassanid empire, a land attack was made on the walls of Constantinople by the Avars:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_(626)

The attack was successfully repulsed. The Byzantines won a ship engagement on the seaward side of the city the next day.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

Greetings all,

 Today we commemorate Maurice being chosen as Emperor on  August 5th in 528 AD:

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

 

He was crowned on August 9th. Although Maurice  gained the throne with no military experience, he was a successful general as Emperor. He was the author of the Strategikon, a manual of warfare which gives us the only full list of  ancient Latin military commands used by the Legions, including Roman Drill instruction. 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

Greetings all,

 Today we commemorate Gratian being named co-Emperor of the West on  August 4th in 367 AD:

 

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

 

He was the son of Emperor Valentinian I. Gratian had been successful in stabilizing Gaul and the Rhine and had intended to march to help in the East, to assist his uncle the Eastern Roman Emperor Valens in 378 AD. Valens decided not to wait for Gratian's army and marched to his defeat at the Battle of Adrianople, leaving Gratian essentially the sole ruler of the Empire.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on the exile of Nestorius, the Ecumenian Patriarch of Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius II on  August 3rd in 435 AD:

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

 

Nesotius, (the founder of Nestorianism) was exiled to a monastery in Egypt over his controversial views. Interestingly, the book Nestorius wrote, the Bazaar of Heracleides, survived and is still in print.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today in History, August 2nd in 461 AD, the Western Emperor Majorian was arrested and deposed by Count Ricimer:

 

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

 

Majorian worked to regain Imperial control in Gaul and Spain, and was the last Western Emperor to resist barbarian incursions with his own troops.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the life of Emperor Justin I, who reigned from July 9th in 518 to August 1st in 527 AD:

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


He was the uncle of Justinian I and left Justinian to be his heir. 

Justin I rose through the ranks of the army to become captain of the Imperial Guard. At the death of Emperor Anastasius he was able to out-maneuver his rivals to be elected to the throne, even though he was 70 at the time. During his rule he was able to repair relations with the Western church, and cultivated client states at the boarders of the Empire.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus