Greetings all,

On this Day we reflect on young Leo II being appointed as co-Emperor alongside his father Zeno on January 29th in 474 AD:

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

Leo II was 7 years old at the time, and had already been co-Emperor with is grandfather Leo I, and had "ruled" as sole Emperor from January 18th 474, a total of 11 days. Sadly he died of illness later in the year.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this Day we commemorate with sadness the last known vote of the Roman Senate, held on January 27th in 1204 AD. This vote was taken during the 4th Crusade attack on Constantinople, just before the capture and sacking of the city. In this vote, the Senate appointed Nicholas Kanabos as Emperor:

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

After this date the Senate as an official political body was never heard from again, either during the Crusader occupation, or after. During the Palaiologos Dynasty it seems that "Senator" was simply an honorary title for individuals. 

Of course, in Byzantium Novum the Senate has been revived and conducts Byzantine business each month.   :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this Day 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

He was the son of Constantine V. Leo IV became sole Emperor in 775 AD. He fought a successful campaign against the Abbasids in 778 and 779 AD.

There should be cake!  :)

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

In the news - an interesting article about Digenes Akritas the Byzantine era hero:

https://greekreporter.com/2024/01/24/digenes-akritas-hero-byzantine-borderland/

He was the subject of epic poems and songs regarding border fighting between the Byzantines and Arabs in the borderlands of Anatolia.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 
Greetings all, 

On this day we reflect on the Emperor Theodosius proclaiming his son Honorius co-Emperor of the West on January 23rd in 393 AD: 

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

The Western empire was under pressure at the time and the reign of Honorius was chaotic. He ruled from Milan and then from Ravenna. His miscalculations and lack of military forces caused Rome to be sacked in 410 AD.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

www.byzantiumnovum.org

 

 

 

 Greetings all,

In recent news, an article on the Byzantine-Arab frontier:

https://greekreporter.com/2024/01/17/byzantine-arab-christian-muslim-clash/

Some interesting information on the long series of clashes between the two civilizations.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus

 

 

 

 

Greetings all,

On this day we reflect with sadness on the passing of the Emperor Theophilos on January 20th in 842 AD:

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

He was the last Iconoclast Emperor, and he spent much of his reign personally leading his armies in battle against the Arabs. Theophilos also strengthened the Walls of Constantinople, built the fortress of Sarkel on the Don River, and built a hospital that survived almost to the end of the Empire. He was also the creator of the Cherson, Paphlagonia and Chaldia Themes.

-Marcus Cassius Julianus