Greetings all,

Today we reflect on  the Emperor Constantine announced free distribution of food to the Citizens of Constantinople on May 18th in 332 AD:

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

This was done in order to attract new Citizens for the recently founded city. This distribution was in face a continuation of the Roman  "Cura Annone" or public distribution of grain in honor of the Goddess Annona. This began sporadically in Republican times and became standard by 122AD. The practice continued in Rome until the 6th century AD, but lasted longer in Constantinople. After the loss of Egypt it was replaced in Constantinople with a distribution of bread rather than grain.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on the life of the Byzantine general Constantine Palaiologos who passed on May 5th in 1306:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_Palaiologos_(son_of_Michael_VIII)

 

He was the son of Emperor Michael VII, and was a successful general until he was slandered and forced to retire to a monastery.  Much of the of the palace he was born in is still standing. 

Interestingly his only son John Palaiologos, who served as governor of Thessalonica, rebelled against the Empire for a time. He rejoined after being offered the position of Caesar in 1326 AD.  He may be the last recorded holder of the title of Caesar.  

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

In the news, an interesting article about "miraculous" Byzantine eye therapies: 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/05/01/byzantine-eye-therapies/

An interesting peek (see what I did there?) into the medicine of the Eastern Roman Empire!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we commemorate the birth of the Emperor Constantine III, on May 3rd in 612 AD:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_III_(Byzantine_emperor)

There should be cake!  :)

He was the eldest son of the Emperor Heraclius and his first wife Eudokia. He had been raised as Co-Emperor in 613 AD, and remained co-Emperor until 641 AD. He reigned as sole ruler for only three months in 641 AD before dying of illness. He was the father of Emperor Constans II.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on the life of the Emperor Arcadius who passed on May 1st in 408 AD:

 

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

 

He was the son of Emperor Theodosius I, Arcadius was Emperor of the East and his brother Honorius was Emperor of the West.

Arcadius not a strong ruler and was heavily influenced by both his advisors and his consort the Empress Aelia Eudocia for most of his rule. It seems that as a person he focused more on being an example of a pious Christian than being concerned with military or political matters.  He did however begin the Theodosian Walls around Constantinople and as his rule was mostly inoffensive he provided stable legal continuity through a troubled time.

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

On this day we reflect on the Battle of Tzirallum during the Civil Wars of the Tetarchy and was fought between the forces of Licinius and Maximinus on April 30th in 313 AD:

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

This battle was fought six months after the battle of the Milvian Bridge and was a decisive victory for Licinius, who was allied with Constantine I. This secured Byzantium for them and helped to solidify the territory of the Eastern Roman Empire. 

 

 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

 Greetings all, 

Today we celebrate Byzantine victory in the battle of Levounion on April 29 in 1091 AD:: 

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

The battle was fought between the forces of Emperor Alexios I and the Pechenegs (a Turkish tribe allied to the Ottomans) 20 years after the disastrous Battle of Manzikert. The forces of the Empire and their allies caught the Pencheneg forces by surprise and the battle was almost a massacre. Surviving Pechenegs were later settled into depopulated areas of the Empire, and became part of the Empire. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all,

Today we commemorate the crowning of Emperor Basil II by his father Emperor Romanos II on April 22nd in 960 AD:

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

Although he was only a 2 year old child at the time, it turned out well in the end! Basil II went on to reign as sole emperor for almost 50 years. In addition to his famous military exploits he was also known as a competent administrator and it was under his reign the Varangian Guard was formed.

There should be cake!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we celebrate the birth  of Emperor Michael IX Palaiologos on April 17th in 1277 AD:

 

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

Michael IX was an active and energetic soldier, willing to make personal sacrifices to encourage and pay his troops. He was called a "Pious lord" and "a true king in word and deed" and was considered one of the bravest knights in the world. 

Sadly he was generally unsuccessful in his campaigns. Whether this was due to a lack of skill on his part, the weakness of the Byzantine military at the time or simply bad luck has been debated. The fact that he inspired both loyalty and good reputation in spite of things does say a lot...

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 In the news, an article on the Byzantine scholars who helped shape the Renaissance in the West: 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/04/07/greatest-byzantine-greek-scholars-renaissance/

Scholars leaving the East after the fall of Constantinople brought much ancient Greek knowledge with them, helping to re-awaken Civilization in the West. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today we reflect on the Western Emperor Honorius banning barbarian costume in Rome on April 7th in 397 AD:

 

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

 

His edict specifically banned the wearing of pants (braccae) which were considered uncivilized. 

This edict was likely meant to preserve Classical tradition and the image of Rome as a capital city. The Roman army had long adopted braccae for cold weather, this may also have been intended to prevent Rome from beginning to seem like an armed camp. 

This was in fact not the first fashion decree in the Roman world. Sumptuary laws centuries earlier had banned extravagant and expensive dress during difficult times. 

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

 

Today marks our commemoration of the beginning of the final Siege of Constantinople on April 6th in 1453 AD:

 

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

 

At the beginning of the siege, Mehmed sent out some of his best troops to reduce the remaining Byzantine strongholds outside the city of Constantinople. The fortress of Therapia on the Bosphorus and a smaller castle at the village of Studius near the Sea of Marmara were taken within a few days.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

Greetings all, 

 

In the news - a story of a baptismal site discovered in the ancient city of Hippos (again, "Hipp-oss", not the animal!) in Israel: 

 

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-891771

 

It looks like archaeology has been continuing on the site, which is a wonderful thing!

-Marcus Cassius Julianus