12 Turning Points in Byzantine History

Posted by Powee Celdran “Ever since our rough crusading forefathers saw Constantinople and met, to their contemptuous disgust, a society where everyone read and wrote, ate food with forks and preferred diplomacy to war, it has been fashionable to pass the Byzantines by with scorn and to use their name as synonymous with decadence.” -Steven Runciman, 20thContinue reading “12 Turning Points in Byzantine History”

Natural Disasters in Byzantine History

Posted by Powee Celdran  “During the whole year (536) the sun gave forth its light without brightness, like the moon, and it seemed extremely like the sun in eclipse, for the beams it emitted were not clear nor like those it usually makes.” -Procopius, Byzantine historian on the “dust-veil” of 536 Welcome to another article byContinue reading “Natural Disasters in Byzantine History”

The Byzantine Imperial Personality through the lives of the Emperors Part2

Posted by Powee Celdran “The truth is, all barbarians are usually fickle and by nature are unable to keep their pledges.” -Anna Komene, The Alexiad  Part2- Personalities of the Byzantine emperors from Basil I the Macedonian to Manuel I Komnenos (9th to 12th centuries)  Previous: Part1- Personalities of the Byzantine emperors from Constantine the Great toContinue reading “The Byzantine Imperial Personality through the lives of the Emperors Part2”

A Guide to the Byzantine Empire’s Themes (Military/ Administrative Districts)

Posted by Powee Celdran  “In the international and religious conflict of the Byzantine and Saracen empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy.” -Edward Gibbon, English historian (1737-1794) Welcome once again back to another article by the Byzantium Blogger! The last 2 articles I published were sure extremely long but hopefully insightful and informative coveringContinue reading “A Guide to the Byzantine Empire’s Themes (Military/ Administrative Districts)”

15 Byzantine Related States Outside Byzantium Part2 (8-15)- “Where did Byzantium go?”

Posted by Powee Celdran  Places that succeeded Byzantium physically, politically, and culturally: Latin Empire, Empire of Nicaea, Empire of Trebizond, Despotate of Epirus, Despotate of Morea, March of Montferrat, Vassals of Lesbos and Ainos, Grand Duchy of Moscow (includes the history of Byzantium, Renaissance Italy, and Russia)  “It’s sad to see what became of theContinue reading “15 Byzantine Related States Outside Byzantium Part2 (8-15)- “Where did Byzantium go?””

15 Byzantine Related States Outside Byzantium Part1 (1-7)- Places where Byzantine culture went

Places formed physically and culturally from Byzantium: Western Roman Empire, Exarchates of Italy and Africa, Republic of Venice, Cilician Armenia, Serbian Empire, Bosnian Kingdom, First and Second Bulgarian Empires (includes the history of Rome, Byzantium, Venice, Armenia, Serbia, and Bulgaria)  “I can tell you that this city mastered the entire universe; she placed beneath her feetContinue reading “15 Byzantine Related States Outside Byzantium Part1 (1-7)- Places where Byzantine culture went”