New Medieval Books: Procopius of Caesarea: The Persian Wars: A Historical Commentary
Geoffrey Greatrex’ magnum opus, this book complements his translation of The Persian Wars.
Blinding as punishment and enforced disability, with Jake Ransohoff
A conversation with Jake Ransohoff on the practice of blinding in Byzantium. Why and how was it done? Why was it more prominent in some periods rather than in others? And how did its victims cope with this disability that the state had imposed on them for (usually) crimes of treason?
The Sack of Thessaloniki in 904
It was in the summer of that year that a messenger from the Byzantine emperor Leo VI rushed into town with terrible news: Leo of Tripoli was on his way to attack Thessaloniki.
‘Byzantine’ should no longer mean malicious programs, computer body says
The word ‘Byzantine’ is often used “to refer to computer systems that are not only deviant but malicious – like have some deceitful intent destructive purpose.”
Greek Fire: The first chemical weapon?
Since ancient times, civilizations have feared fire, but of all the early attempts to use it as a controllable and effective weapon, none is as intriguing as the mysterious substance that today we call ‘Greek fire’.
What was First Iconoclasm about?, with Leslie Brubaker
A conversation with Leslie Brubaker on the first period of Byzantine iconoclasm (ca. 730 to 787 AD). What was the problem with religious icons? What did the “Isaurian” emperors Leon III and Konstantinos V try to do about it, and why? A great deal of what we used to know, largely by following pro-icon sources, has come undone in the latest research.
True Crusader Crime: The Mysterious ‘Lord S’
Who killed William of Rouen?
Surviving the Mongol Storm, with Nicholas Morton
A conversation with Nicholas Morton about the Mongol conquests of the thirteenth century, the terror that they inspired, and the strategies by which its targets tried to survive them. What did the Mongols think they were doing and how did the Byzantines use diplomacy to deflect the danger and even use it to their advantage?
The Consequences of Climate Change on the Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was affected by climate change. New research reveals how warming and cooling trends correspond to economic upswings and declines that took place in Byzantium.
Dinner in the Byzantine Empire
This episode of the Medieval Grad Podcast is tasty! Adam Morin discusses with Lucie Laumonier the ins and out of Byzantine cuisine. What did a Byzantine grocery list look like? And what did people eat?
The enduring power of ancient statues in Constantinople, with Paroma Chatterjee
A conversation with Paroma Chatterjee on the power that ancient statues still had in Orthodox Constantinople. In many contexts, they were more prominent than icons. We talk about some of their functions, but also why Byzantine art history is so focused on icons, which were secluded objects, in comparison.
Rus-Byzantine Treaties – A unique insight into the tenth century
Two treaties from the tenth century are fascinating sources about life and legality in a time before we know much about Rus.
Astronomers use Byzantine chronicles to learn about the Earth’s rotation
Japanese researchers investigated Byzantine texts from the 4th to 7th centuries to identify five total solar eclipses near the Eastern Mediterranean and improve the model of the Earth’s rotation over time.
Did Basil II the ‘Bulgar-slayer’ blind 15,000 prisoners?
At the end of the Battle of Kleidion, it is reported the Byzantine emperor blinded 15,000 prisoners. Could this story be true?
Harald Hardrada: Overthrowing of an Emperor
Harald Hardrada finds himself in trouble when Byzantine power politics turns deadly.
New issue of After Constantine released
The second issue of After Constantine: Stories from the Late Antique and Early Byzantine Era has been released, giving readers access to three new articles.
Exploring the monuments of Byzantine Constantinople, with Sergey Ivanov
A conversation with Sergey Ivanov on the monuments, buildings, and ruins of the Byzantine phase of the City’s history. We talk about how to explore them, how to access their history, and even get a feel for the lingering presence of the events that took place in them. We ponder what has been lost and what might yet be found.
Was Constantinople besieged in 674-78?
The story of the so-called First Arab Siege of Constantinople.
Laments for the Fall: Constantinople and Tenochtitlan in counterpoint, with Eleni Kefala
A conversation with Eleni Kefala on the fall of two empires, the Byzantine and the Aztec. What role did these momentous events play in the emerging identity of western Europe? And how were they experienced by the Romaioi and the native Mexica, especially through the laments that they wrote and sang about these events?
When did women “bind up” their hair, and why?, with Gabriel Radle
Byzantium & Friends is hosted by Anthony Kaldellis, Professor and Chair of the Department of Classics at The Ohio State University. You can follow him on his personal website.
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Harald Hardrada: Against the Bulgarians
In this article, we look at Harald Hardrada’s rewarding service within the Varangian Guard, the Byzantine-Bulgarian conflict, and Harald’s role in defeating a Bulgarian revolt that broke out in 1040.
What do we mean by “Byzantine literature”?, with Stratis Papaioannou
A conversation with Stratis Papaioannou about the mismatch between modern ideas of literature (on the one hand) and the texts, conventions, and goals of Byzantine authors (on the other). In what sense are those texts “literature”? Should they be compared to classical texts, modern literature, neither, or both?
Harald Hardrada: Fighting in Sicily and Italy
Between 1038 and 1041, a Byzantine force attempted to take control of Sicily and southern Italy. Harald Hadrada would take part in this invasion, but were the saga stories of his victories true?
Manuel II Palaiologos (1350-1425) had a lot to say, with Siren Çelik
A conversation with Siren Çelik about the many personas that the emperor Manuel II Palaiologos crafted for himself in his surviving works. In fact, we have more writings from him — in many genres, and many of a personal nature — than from any prior Roman emperor. What was he hoping to accomplish and why is he worth reading?
The experiences of Byzantine children, with Oana-Maria Cojocaru
A conversation with Oana-Maria Cojocaru about the images of Byzantine children in our sources, and the experiences that they would have had once they made it past infancy.