ἀνθρώποισι πᾶσι μέτεστι γινώσκειν ἑωυτοὺς καὶ σωφρονεῖν.
by Angeliki A. Laiou
This volume is primarily dedicated to Byzantium as a world civilization, that is, to an examination of its multifaceted contacts with the other medieval civilizations of Europe and the Near and Middle East. Continue reading “‘Byzantium’ (Eastern Roman Empire) and the West”
by Sir Steven Runciman
The story of the Fourth Crusade is misted by controversy. Historians still argue whether the diversion of the Crusade to Constantinople and the capture and sack of the city and the establishment of a Latin Empire there was the result of deliberate planning by Venice and perhaps also by certain leaders of the Crusade, or the outcome of a series of historical accidents. Continue reading “Greece and the later crusades”
Here we present part of the ‘Introduction’ from the book «Byzantium – The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire», by Judith Herrin. Continue reading “‘Byzantium’ (Eastern Roman Empire) made Europe possible”
John Philoponus, a Christian philosopher, scientist, and theologian who lived approximately from 490 to 570 CE, is also known as John the Grammarian or John of Alexandria. The epithet ‘Philoponus’ means literally ‘Lover of toil’. Continue reading “John Philoponus: a philosopher and scientist of the 6th century AD – Newton’s first law formulated 1,000 years earlier?”
The mosaic floor of a yet unknown Byzantine church has been unearthed by prospective looters at Kanisat Qirmerl, near the Roman city of Jerash, Jordan. Continue reading “Byzantine church mosaic unearthed in Jerash”
Constantine I introduced the gold nomisma (Latin solidus) at 72 nomismata per pound of gold. The nomisma was used primarily by the state to pay its soldiers and bureaucrats, and in its relations with other states. Continue reading “Coinage in the Christian Roman Empire – a quick view”
Novo Scriptorium 