Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #byzantium
Most recents (9)
The BLOOD (AIMA) Prophecy in Byzantium
Although the Byzantine Empire was the stalwart defender of Orthodox Christianity, its emperors nonetheless strongly believed in prophecies and superstitions.
The most famous of these was the AIMA (or BLOOD in Greek) prophecy.
(1/6)
Although the Byzantine Empire was the stalwart defender of Orthodox Christianity, its emperors nonetheless strongly believed in prophecies and superstitions.
The most famous of these was the AIMA (or BLOOD in Greek) prophecy.
(1/6)
In a nutshell, the prophecy stated that the first letter of the emperors' names in the Komnenian Dynasty should formulate the word «αίμα» (blood).
Indeed, the first three emperors of the dynasty were Alexios I, Ioannis II and Manuel I.
Their names formed the word «AIM»
(2/6)
Indeed, the first three emperors of the dynasty were Alexios I, Ioannis II and Manuel I.
Their names formed the word «AIM»
(2/6)
Manuel I was a trong-willed and superstitious emperor.
Though the 4th child of Ioannis II, he rose to the throne eventually and saw the hand of fate everywhere.
Indicatively, he once delayed the Battle of Sirmium in 1167 against the Mayars ... upon an astrologer's omen.
(3/6)
Though the 4th child of Ioannis II, he rose to the throne eventually and saw the hand of fate everywhere.
Indicatively, he once delayed the Battle of Sirmium in 1167 against the Mayars ... upon an astrologer's omen.
(3/6)
Our new paper: »The sun was darkened for 17 days« (AD 797). An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Celestial Phenomena between #Byzantium, #Charlemagne, and a #VolcanicEruption. #MedievalWorlds 17/2022: doi.org/10.1553/mediev… (1/9)
#Byzanzforschung, @imafo_oeaw
#Byzanzforschung, @imafo_oeaw
The blinding of the #Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI in #Constantinople in August 797 CE and his overthrow by his mother Eirene was used as legitimation for the #coronation of the Frankish King #Charlemagne as emperor of the Romans on 25 December, 800. (2/9)
@imafo_oeaw
@imafo_oeaw
In #Byzantine sources, Constantine VI´s #blinding was linked with a spectacular #celestialmanifestation of divine disapproval: “The #sun was darkened for seventeen days and did not emit its rays so that ships lost course and drifted about.” (3/9)
#Byzanzforschung
#Byzanzforschung
Byzantine-Arab Heroes in Byzantine Anatolia 🧵
The centuries-old Arab-Byzantine conflict gave birth, among others, in two epics - the Digenis Akritas (Greek) and Sirat al-Amīra Dhāt al-Himma (Arabic) - that narrate the exploits of cross-faith and cross-race warriors.
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The centuries-old Arab-Byzantine conflict gave birth, among others, in two epics - the Digenis Akritas (Greek) and Sirat al-Amīra Dhāt al-Himma (Arabic) - that narrate the exploits of cross-faith and cross-race warriors.
(1/11)
The most well-known figure of these cross-faith and -race heroes amongst Byzantinists is (Vasileios) Digenis Akritas.
As his two names indicate, he is a mixed-race (Διγενής) frontier warrior (Ακριτας) in the service of the Byzantine (Christian) Emperor.
(2/11)
As his two names indicate, he is a mixed-race (Διγενής) frontier warrior (Ακριτας) in the service of the Byzantine (Christian) Emperor.
(2/11)
His father is an Arab, an emir of Syria (Mousour), and his mother a Greek, a daughter of a theme strategos (Andronikos Doukas).
During one of the annual raids (razzia) in Anatolia, the emir kidnaps the lady.
Then the lady's five brothers campaign in Syria to rescue her.
(3/11)
During one of the annual raids (razzia) in Anatolia, the emir kidnaps the lady.
Then the lady's five brothers campaign in Syria to rescue her.
(3/11)
Thread 🧵on Leo the Mathematician
Leo the Mathematician or Philosopher (Λέων ὁ Μαθηματικός ή Φιλόσοφος) was a distinguished Greek/Armenian scholar who associated himself with the Macedonian Renaissance (Μακεδονική Αναγέννηση).
Hope on for a travel back in time!
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Leo the Mathematician or Philosopher (Λέων ὁ Μαθηματικός ή Φιλόσοφος) was a distinguished Greek/Armenian scholar who associated himself with the Macedonian Renaissance (Μακεδονική Αναγέννηση).
Hope on for a travel back in time!
(1/14)
Leo was a cousin of John Grammaticus (Ιωάννης Ζ΄ Γραμματικός) - the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople between 837 and 843 AD.
The patriarch originated from the Armenian noble house of the Muratsan (or Maratswots) and this explains Leo's partly Armenian ancestry.
(2/14)
The patriarch originated from the Armenian noble house of the Muratsan (or Maratswots) and this explains Leo's partly Armenian ancestry.
(2/14)
Leo as a youngster was invited by the patriarch in Constantinople for studies.
Oddly enough, he opted for a secular curriculum in the "Γραικών γράμματα" ("letters of the Greeks"): Poetry, Rhetoric, Philosophy etc.
However, he never completed his studies in the "City".
(3/14)
Oddly enough, he opted for a secular curriculum in the "Γραικών γράμματα" ("letters of the Greeks"): Poetry, Rhetoric, Philosophy etc.
However, he never completed his studies in the "City".
(3/14)
Thread🧵on Byzantium's "Red Funeral"
Although most people know about the Red Wedding from the Game of Thrones Saga, few know an equally violent episode from Byzantium.
Though this episode didn't revolve around a wedding but a funeral.
Hop-in for a travel back in time!
(1/20)
Although most people know about the Red Wedding from the Game of Thrones Saga, few know an equally violent episode from Byzantium.
Though this episode didn't revolve around a wedding but a funeral.
Hop-in for a travel back in time!
(1/20)
The so-called "Red Funeral" occurred in 1258 inside a monastery (!) in the Empire of Nicaea and involved the future usurper-emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos and the regent Georgios Mouzalon.
But how did this occur and why?
Our story begins in the late Byzantine Empire.
(2/20)
But how did this occur and why?
Our story begins in the late Byzantine Empire.
(2/20)
Georgios Mouzalon was a member of a minor noble house of Asia Minor.
The House of Mouzalon produced a number of high-level dignitaries in the 11th and 12th centuries - for example, Nikolaos Mouzalon, the Archbishop of Cyprus and, later, Ecumenical Patriarch.
(3/13)
The House of Mouzalon produced a number of high-level dignitaries in the 11th and 12th centuries - for example, Nikolaos Mouzalon, the Archbishop of Cyprus and, later, Ecumenical Patriarch.
(3/13)
Irene of Athens (752 – 803)
Coming from a prominent family of Athens, Irene was brought to Constantinople to marry Emperor Leo IV. She is famous for bringing an end to the first iconoclasm, the fight with her son for the throne & for being the reason for Pope to name the frankish
Coming from a prominent family of Athens, Irene was brought to Constantinople to marry Emperor Leo IV. She is famous for bringing an end to the first iconoclasm, the fight with her son for the throne & for being the reason for Pope to name the frankish
King Charlemagne as Roman Emperor since the title was "vacant" if you were a woman Empress. Yeap...that according to the Pope. Of course Romans/Eastern Romans/Byzantines thought that was crap...but here we are now with this confusing nomenclature.
*They also tried to marry them
*They also tried to marry them
Αυγούστα Θεοδώρα (Empress Theodora). Dancer, whore, empress and Saint.
She is considered the most powerful and influential woman in the Byzantine history.
©Jean-Joseph-Benjamin-Constant, Oil on canvas, 1887
#History #Byzantium
She is considered the most powerful and influential woman in the Byzantine history.
©Jean-Joseph-Benjamin-Constant, Oil on canvas, 1887
#History #Byzantium
Working in a circus, she made a name for her performance of Leda and the Swan, she had a daughter outside of marriage, she traveled all across the empire doing different jobs. She promoted the rights of women, prohibiting trafficking and giving to divorce women more benefits.
She's famous for her speech during the major Nika revolt which according to the sources, Emperor Justinian wanted to flee and she said something like "if you think people like us are gonna be safe in exile you're fool, we stay and fight"( a very free translation). And they did..
When the Western Roman emperor Constantius died in 306 ce, his son, Constantine, was named the next emperor at York (in present-day Britain). However, in Rome, Maxentius laid claim to the same title. For nearly six years, Constantine avoided a direct confrontation.
However, in 312 ce, he gathered an army of 40,000 and marched into Rome.
A decisive and historic battle in 312 ce, the Battle of Milvian Bridge was fought between two challengers to the Roman Empire's throne: Constantine and Maxentius.
@atensnut @POTUS
It is said "their desire to publicly show-off their symbols will be their downfall"
#cabal #babylon #aleppo #egypt #cult
Troilus TROYlius "beautiful youth murdered" Notice #motif upon ancient art.
#bathhouse in #aleppo matches cf. #isaackappy "dead man's switch #USA
It is said "their desire to publicly show-off their symbols will be their downfall"
#cabal #babylon #aleppo #egypt #cult
Troilus TROYlius "beautiful youth murdered" Notice #motif upon ancient art.
#bathhouse in #aleppo matches cf. #isaackappy "dead man's switch #USA
@atensnut @POTUS @POTUS "Bathhouse Barry" wasn't that his nick-name in #chicago ?
@POTUS
#WAKEUPAMERICA
#FACTSMATTER
#SAVEAMERICA
#UNITEDNOTDIVIDED
#WWG1WGA #QAnon @steveouttrim
@POTUS
#WAKEUPAMERICA
#FACTSMATTER
#SAVEAMERICA
#UNITEDNOTDIVIDED
#WWG1WGA #QAnon @steveouttrim
@atensnut @POTUS @steveouttrim @POTUS #Bathhouse in #aleppo matches motif of 'Lil St. James Island.
#coincidence?
#WAKEUPAMERICA
#FACTSMATTER
#SAVEAMERICA
#UNITEDNOTDIVIDED
#WWG1WGA @QAnon
#FreeAssangeNOW #USA
#FreedomOfSpeech #FirstAmendment
#coincidence?
#WAKEUPAMERICA
#FACTSMATTER
#SAVEAMERICA
#UNITEDNOTDIVIDED
#WWG1WGA @QAnon
#FreeAssangeNOW #USA
#FreedomOfSpeech #FirstAmendment
