Hadrian the gay emperor Jan 11, 2008
from The Independent & The Independent on Sunday. His attempt to fortify the Roman Empire is well known. (Independent)
Creative Engineering: Class Teaches Civilization through Creativity Nov 29, 2007
Photo by Claire MonsonProfessor Brent Strong teaches his students about the Byzantine Empire during his History of Creativity class Monday in the Crabtree. When students enroll in a civilization course, they likely count on learning about ancient cultures. (The Daily Universe, UT)
Ten (more) places to see once Oct 31, 2007
As a major administrative centre for the Byzantine Empire in Italy, Ravenna, just south of Venice, has a dazzling collection of mosaic art. Aside from the famous sixth-century mosaics of the Emperor Justinian and his courtiers and Empress Theodora and her ladies-in-waiting in the Basilica of San Vitale, wonderful mosaics can also be found in the Mausoleum of Galla Placida and the Baptistry of the Arians. (Globe and Mail)
Greece: The Top 10 Oct 28, 2007
Yes, it was once the cultural capital of the Byzantine Empire, but today there's just not much to see. Mystras spills down a mountain over the town and the scant ancient ruins of Sparta. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Travel)
Cool, clear tiles add sparkle and personality Oct 13, 2007
Artists in the Byzantine Empire (300 B.C.) were famous for their Smalti tile, an opaque glass tile used in mosaics. But this durable, easy-to-maintain surfacing material has only recently found its way back to the home, and not just in trend-setting California. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
CHS exchange student says Turkish cuisine ranks among some of the best in the world Sep 24, 2007
One of her favorite sites in Instanbul was Hagia Sofia, a Christian church from the ancient days of Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire that became a mosque following the Ottoman conquest. She said the painted ceiling of Hagia Sofia, now a museum, took my breath away because it stretches so high above visitors. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Indigenous Cyprus Aug 21, 2007
Within three years Rome had annexed the island as well, and then four hundred years later it became part of the Byzantine Empire when the defunct Roman Empire was divided up. British invasion began when King Richard I of England captured the island in 1191 in the crusades, looting and massacring. (Suite101.com)
This week's movie recap Aug 19, 2007
But Aurelius learns that the Byzantine Empire will give Romulus sanctuary, embarking on a journey to the coast accompanied by a small group of his men and a mysterious, black-clad Byzantine warrior (Aishwarya Rai). But, when Romulus is rescued and the group arrives on shore, they learn that the Byzantines have joined forces with Odoacer s army of Goths. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
The Fall of Constantinople, 1453 Jul 22, 2007
The fact was that, since the schism and the sack of the city by western armies, there had been brewing a latent hatred between the Latin s and the Greeks, as the subjects of the Byzantine Empire were called. The hatred had become so intense that one Byzantine politician said that it was better to see in the city the power of the Turkish turban than that of the Latin tiara. (Suite101.com)
Fresh eyesThe software shedding new light on archaeological finds Jul 11, 2007
" Replica candles The project is based on Byzantine art found in Cyprus - a major part of the Byzantine empire. Placement of lighting was crucial to Byzantine artwork It is known from evidence from historical documents and chemical analysis what materials were being used to make their candles. To accurately recreate the lighting, the project makes replica candles from the same materials, and then records how bright and colourful they are. But while such efforts may appear only of interest to a... (BBC News -- Technology)
Things you Need to know About the Jun 27, 2007
907 A.D. as gifts from the Folin, assumed to be the Byzantine Empire in Tibet. The dogs and succeeding generations of Shih Tzu were bred in the Imperial Palace of Peking. (Suite101.com)
Exhibit traces shared, divergent history of Judaism, Christianity Jun 16, 2007
The architecture began to differentiate and multiply at that time, when Constantine decreed Christianity as the official religion of the Byzantine Empire. The chancel of a Christian church, one of the exhibit's showstoppers, is a re-creation using finds gathered from 17 largely sixth century sites across Israel. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)
Walk Like An Egyptian -- Or A Roman: Experience What The Past Really Looked Like May 16, 2007
In this feasibility study, the team, with the assistance of the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Bristol, the Byzantine Museum and Art Galleries, Cyprus, the University of Cyprus and Cultural Heritage Imaging, USA, are focusing on Cypriot remains from the Byzantine Empire (c. 350-1450 AD). (Science Daily)
Italy: Stunning mosaics in Ravenna May 7, 2007
But its greatest days as a Mediterranean center of art and culture came after Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora made it the capital of the Byzantine Empire in 540. Full-length portraits at Basilica of San Vitale. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Armenia's artistic bridge from East to West Apr 29, 2007
The other part of the world to which Armenia had ties was the Roman Empire - the land was split again and again between Iran and Rome, later replaced in the East by the Byzantine Empire. This twin connection with East and West remained perceptible throughout Armenian history. (International Herald Tribune)
Review: The Day Of The Barbarians Apr 29, 2007
Despite being the site of the first irreparable crack in the imperial fabric, the East lived on as the Byzantine Empire and remained stable and strong long after the shell of the West had crumbled under the barbarian onslaught. Steve Coates is an editor at the Book Review. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
This is Bliss: Prestigious prize will aid student in pursuit of becoming a Byzantinist Apr 13, 2007
It really got me thinking about how that was once the center of the world, and about how many different aspects of life culture, religion, language, art had merged there, especially during the Middle Ages, that is, during the life-span of the Byzantine Empire. Marinides will begin working toward a M.A.Ph. (Univeristy of Chicago Chronicle, IL)
Conquest by commerce: Lesbos eyes Turkish isle Apr 2, 2007
Garip is best known as the site of a battle between the Spartans and Athenians in 406BC. It remained under Greek control until the collapse of the Byzantine Empire in 1453 before passing to the Ottomans, and eventually modern-day Turkey. In a nation obsessed by the "shrinkage" of its borders, neither time nor military defeat has diminished the desire to win back lands lost to the Turks - not least those that vanished with the exchange of populations after the Greeks' disastrous Asia Minor... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Greeks plan to buy Turkish island Apr 2, 2007
Located about 90 miles from the ancient city of Troy in Izmir's Bay of Bademli, Garip is best known as the site of a famous battle between the Spartans and Athenians in 406BC. It remained under Greek control until the collapse of the Byzantine Empire in 1453 before passing to the Ottomans, and eventually modern-day Turkey, after the Greeks' disastrous Asia Minor campaign in 1922. But in a nation obsessed with the "shrinkage' of its borders, neither time nor military defeat has diminished the... (Guardian Unlimited)
Rising starWealthy 'shepherd' Gigi Becali shakes up Romanian politics Mar 17, 2007
"In the Byzantine Empire, the great kings were shepherds. And if you want me to quote the Bible, Jesus didn't say I am your captain or your driver, but I am your shepherd. So in Romanian politics, I see myself as an apostle because I'm trying to do something no one has tried before", he said. "Now that Europe has been reunited, I also want to see a spiritual reunification of Europe, I want western Christian-democracy to be enriched by Eastern Orthodoxy. If we don't counter sin with faith, then... (BBC News -- Europe)
Get an earful of offbeat podcasts Mar 16, 2007
Lars Brownworth, an American history teacher at a Long Island prep school, has been profiled in The New York Times and interviewed by National Public Radio because of his top-ranked podcast, 12 Byzantine Rulers: The History of the Byzantine Empire, covering 1,200 years of war, power, religion, sex and violence. So far, his lectures have been downloaded nearly 900,000 times in 18 months and this for a topic that barely rates mention in many university history departments. (USA Today -- Life)
The art of coin collecting Mar 15, 2007
The structure contains a display of 18 coins dating to the 11th century Byzantine Empire. No one is sure why the Byzantines chose to use cup-shaped coins for the 300 years the empire occupied Eastern Europe. (The Daily Princetonian, NJ)
Conversations with Saints Mar 3, 2007
Ms. McCormick, who is the chief registrar at the Princeton University Art Museum, finds it fascinating that the practice of iconography was brought to Russia around 1000 A.D. A few centuries later, the Byzantine Empire fell, but because Russia was so distant, the tradition carried on without much influence from the outside. "Then you had the Renaissance," she says. (Hopewell Valley News, NJ)
Ravenna, Italy, is a mosaic of splendid treasures Feb 19, 2007
But its greatest days as a Mediterranean center of art and culture came after Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora made it the capital of the Byzantine Empire in 540. Province of RavennaA full-length portrait of Empress Theodora is one of San Vitale's most famous mosaics. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
29 students will go to state contest Feb 10, 2007
First - Lynn Phillips, Fleming Island High, "Theodora, Empress of the Byzantine Empire". Second - Casey Burnette, Fleming Island High, "The Trail of Tears and the Removal of the Indians". (Florida Times-Union)
Double standard brings danger Dec 11, 2006
Along with thousands of other churches in the Byzantine Empire, it was immediately converted into a mosque, the tall minarets of Islam surrounding it in triumph. Nearly 500 years later, in 1935, as part of reformer Kemal Ataturk's drive to modernize Turkey, Hagia Sophia was secularized and transformed into a museum. (Orlando Sentinel -- Opinion)
The Pope and Islam Dec 8, 2006
From the 7th century onward, the Byzantine Empire was under constant Muslim attacks, first from the Arabs, followed by the Turks. Muslim and non-Muslim contemporary witnesses wrote about whole cities destroyed, populations massacred or reduced to slavery of dhimmitude. (FrontPage Magazine)
Shared roots Dec 7, 2006
In fact, most archaeologists and scholars now believe that the two religions continued to share beliefs, architectural styles and practices for several centuries, even following the Christianization of the Byzantine Empire in the fourth century, said Lee Levine, professor of Jewish history and archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It's pretty clear now that while there was a split from Judaism, there was a lot of overlapping and a lot of contact and a lot of blurred boundaries,'' he... (The Miami Herald)
Benedict's grand gesture Dec 3, 2006
It reminds his Turkish hosts that, a few decades after the emperor's harsh words, the Turks conquered Constantinople, destroyed the Byzantine empire, and brought Orthodox Christianity under Muslim overlordship. When the pope arrived in Istanbul, as Constantinople was renamed in 1930, he was careful not to give offense. (Boston Globe)
Papal Visit Focuses Attention on Minority Rights Issues in Turkey Dec 2, 2006
" Although guaranteed the same rights as Muslim citizens, Christians and Jews in Turkey have long complained about the legal hurdles they face. Working out of a small compound hemmed in by a working class neighborhood, the Orthodox patriarchate which has been in Istanbul for 1,700 years, since the city was known as Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire is the frequent target of nationalist protests while the occasional grenade has been lobbed over its walls. Over the decades it has... (EurasiaNet.org)
Analysis: Why Pope Benedict XVI Braved Turkey Dec 1, 2006
Also of historical significance, Benedict visited the museum of the Haghia Sophia, which, under the Byzantine Empire was one of the greatest churches in Christendom, then was converted to a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, and is today a museum displaying artifacts from both religions. The many transformations and legacy of the 6th century Haghia Sophia Museum symbolize the various goals of Benedict's pilgrimage to Turkey part religious, part political, part historical. (Newsmax)
Pope makes plea for Turkey's Christian minority Nov 30, 2006
The city called Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire for nearly a millennium, and the center of eastern Christianity. Turkey today is a country of about 70 million Muslims. (Los Angeles Times)
Pope's meetings with patriarch highlight rift between religions Nov 30, 2006
The Eastern patriarchs refused to accept the pope as the head of the church, and thrived in the Byzantine Empire and its leading city, Constantinople, while Rome remained the seat of the Catholic Church ... While Western Europe remained largely a Christian bastion where the pope was influential, the Byzantine Empire gave way to the Ottomans, Muslims who made life difficult for the Orthodox church, taxing it heavily and regulating its businesses. (San Jose Mercury News)
After Islam, Pope takes reconciliation to Orthodox Nov 30, 2006
Security was so tight that an armored personal carrier trailed the papal motorcade from the airport to the center of Istanbul, known as Constantinople when it was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Reuters 2006. (Reuters)
Pope embarks on mission to boost Christian unity Nov 30, 2006
Istanbul, known as Constantinople when it was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, was under tight security and an army armoured car followed the Pope's motorcade into the city. Roadblocks around the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a small walled complex in the old Greek quarter of Fener, caused huge traffic jams on the European side of Istanbul, which straddles the Bosphorus separating Europe from Asia. (Reuters.uk)
Pope set to meet Orthodox leader Nov 29, 2006
From Ephesus the Pope will travel to Istanbul, once - as Constantinople - the centre of the Byzantine empire, but now the largest city in a secular but largely Muslim Turkish republic. In Istanbul he will be the guest of the Orthodox patriarch, who heads a community of 250 million Christians around the world. (BBC News)
Pope supports Turkey's entry into European Union Nov 29, 2006
The trip to Turkey, though now a modern and secular democracy, seemed particularly fraught with symbolism: Here Christian and Muslim warriors battled for centuries, as the Byzantine empire founded by Rome's first Christian emperor gave way to Muslim Ottoman Turks who established their own empire and pushed deep into Europe. After his plane touched down, the white-robed pope was met at the airport with a red carpet and a small honor guard, but with none of the music, cheering crowds and waving... (International Herald Tribune)
Pope to Visit "Mary's House" in Turkey Nov 29, 2006
The Pope then goes to Istanbul, the modern name of the city once known as Constantinople, which was the capital of the Byzantine Empire for more than 1,000 years until it was conquered by Muslim forces in 1453 and became the Ottoman seat. There, he will spend the last two days of the trip as the guest of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual head of the world's 250 million Orthodox Christians. (FOX23 News, NY)
Sharp divisions await pope in Turkey Nov 27, 2006
The Orthodox Byzantine Empire ruled Istanbul, then called Constantinople, until the Turks conquered the European side of the Bosporus, the strait that separates Europe and Asia, more than 500 years ago. Bartholomew plans to ask for the pope's support in winning more freedom for the Orthodox Church to train its priests in Turkey, where religious rights have been restricted since Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the modern state in 1923, subordinating Islam and all other religions to Turkish... (Boston Globe -- World)
Turkish protests at Pope's visit Nov 27, 2006
In his September speech, the Pope quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, who said Muhammad had brought only "evil and inhuman" things. The Pope stressed that these were not his own words and later expressed regret for any offence his words caused. (BBC News -- Europe)
Patriarch warns Turks against pope 'incidents' Nov 20, 2006
The patriarchate in Istanbul dates from the 1,100-year-old Orthodox Greek Byzantine Empire, which collapsed when Muslim Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople, today's Istanbul, in 1453. Benedict will also meet with Turkey's president and the deputy premier, as well as the head of the country's religious affairs, a top Islamic cleric. (CNN -- International)
Sahner '07 named Rhodes Scholar Nov 20, 2006
While at Oxford, Sahner plans to study early Byzantine history, the fall of the Byzantine Empire and the rise of Christianity and Islam, eventually earning a masters in philosophy. He also hopes to pick up "a few more" languages in addition to the five of which he has working knowledge. (The Daily Princetonian, NJ)
At holy site, even trash holds treasures Nov 18, 2006
On a drizzly November morning, Gabriel Barkay, the veteran biblical archaeologist who runs the dig, sat in a tent near the mounds examining some newly discovered coins stamped by various Holy Land powers: the Hasmonean dynasty of Jewish kings more than 2,000 years ago, a Roman procurator around the time of Pontius Pilate, the early Christians of the Byzantine Empire, two Islamic dynasties and the British in the 20th century. Considering the wealth of findings, it is odd, perhaps, that this is an... (MSNBC -- Technology)
Archbishop enthroned by Greek Orthodox Nov 14, 2006
At the time, Cyprus was part of the Christian Byzantine empire that ruled from Constantinople, latter-day Istanbul in Turkey. . (Buffalo News -- National)
Cyprus Enthrones Greek Orthodox Leader Nov 13, 2006
At the time, Cyprus was part of the Christian Byzantine empire that ruled from Constantinople, latter-day Istanbul in Turkey, and many of its traditions have survived into the modern era. During Sunday's ceremony, Chrysostomos was fitted with a red robe a royal privilege handed down to Cypriot Archbishops by the Byzantine emperor Zeno almost 1600 years ago. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
The path of the prophet Oct 30, 2006
He quoted from a debate in the 14th century between Manuel II Paleologos, emperor of the Byzantine Empire, and a Persian cleric. "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." The immediate response in the Muslim world was one of outrage. (Boston Globe)
Medieval II: Total War -- The Holy Roman Empire Oct 13, 2006
For starters, it is the Byzantine Empire that truly carries on the legacy of the ancient Romans, and the notion that the Kaiser (Emperor) truly serves the Roman Catholic Church is presently quite laughable. A great rift in opinion exists between Kaiser Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII as to the legitimacy of the Papacy's recent move to do away with secular investiture, a change of law that has taken away all of the Kaiser's power over the Catholic church. (IGN PC Games)
Vatican 'clarifies' Pope speech Oct 10, 2006
Stressing that they were not his own words, he quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, the Orthodox Christian empire which had its capital in what is now the Turkish city of Istanbul. Understandable indignation. (BBC News -- Europe)
Of Monks And Men Oct 8, 2006
" It tries to induce spirituality through more directly aesthetic means, such as the chants, incense, candles and, most important, the services in the quietest hour of the night when the heart is most open. Monastery food is always plain and fresh, but varies in its sophistication. Some places serve a simple bowl of lentils; others offer artichoke hearts in lemon sauce. Dinner at Grigoriou ended with an excellent chocolate torte. The monastery of Vatopedi is at the worldly end of the scale. It's... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Travel)
Welcome to `Little Mosque on the Prairie' Oct 8, 2006
In the Byzantine Empire, the upper classes kept their women apart, behind screens, and Muslims (after the conquest) adopted that. It's a classic case of tradition being mixed up with theology. (Toronto Star -- Arts)
Throughout the ages, an ageless human face? Sep 30, 2006
Stone heads and busts from the Celtic areas of Western Europe, and others carved in the Byzantine empire between the third and the sixth century A.D. are included in the exhibition. These make the initial question even more compelling. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Medieval II: Total War Sep 27, 2006
To the east, the Byzantine Empire is fractured and relatively vulnerable, and there's ample opportunity to take advantage of the chaos on the Iberian peninsula to the west. Campaign Strategy. (IGN PC Games)
Mideast Muslims Must Denounce Violence Sep 22, 2006
Last week, the Pope spoke at Regensburg University in Germany, quoting 14th-century Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire he said, "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.". The links between Muslims and violence is quickly becoming engrained in everyone's mind. (The Daily Campus, CT)
Turkey has second thoughts Sep 19, 2006
In his lecture at the University of Regensburg in Germany last week, the pope quoted 14th-century Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Orthodox Christian Byzantine Empire as saying: "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.". The pope used the expression "I quote" twice before the phrases on Islam. (Asia Times Online)
The pope and Islam; Bush's vision; Microsoft's new system; Voting machines Sep 18, 2006
Barnaby Capel-Dunn, Aubigny-en-Plaine, France Before Pope Benedict XVI quotes from the Byzantine Christian emperor on issues related to holy wars, he may well ask if the Byzantine empire was established and maintained in foreign lands through love and consensus or by the sword. A. Zahedi, London Pope Benedict XVI may well be right that the use of jihad by Muhammad - spreading Islam by the sword - was an inappropriately violent basis for a religion. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
Pope 'meant no offence' to Islam Sep 16, 2006
Stressing that they were not his own words, he quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, the Orthodox Christian empire which had its capital in what is now the Turkish city of Istanbul. READ THE SPEECH Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader. (BBC News)
Merkel defends Pope amid protests Sep 16, 2006
" In other developments: Several thousand Palestinians marched in protest in the Gaza Strip, and a report said four small homemade bombs exploded near the oldest Christian church in Gaza City, with no casualties Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit told the Associated Press the Pope must explain himself, and said the statements exposed a lack of understanding of Islam The Council on American-Islamic Relations called the remarks "inaccurate and divisive" Pakistan summoned the Vatican's... (BBC News)
Letters to the Editor Sep 16, 2006
Sir, Before the Pope quotes from the Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus on issues related to holy wars and spreading the word by sword, he may well ask if the Byzantine Empire, occupying foreign land, was established and maintained through love and consensus. A. ZAHEDIWembley, Middx. (TimesOnline)
Call for apology from the Pope Sep 16, 2006
" The MCB said the Pope had caused "dismay and hurt" to Muslims. University speech The pontiff delivered his speech - which explored the differences between Islam and Christianity, and the relationship between violence and faith - at Regensburg University. In it, he quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, the Orthodox Christian empire which had its capital in what is now the Turkish city of Istanbul. Stressing that the words were the emperor's and not his own he said: "Show... (BBC News -- UK)
Muslim anger grows at Pope speech Sep 15, 2006
Stressing that they were not his own words, he quoted Emperor Manual II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, the Orthodox Christian empire which had its capital in what is now the Turkish city of Istanbul. The emperor's words were, he said: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.". (BBC News)
Byzantine Empire Sep 15, 2006
Done reading about Here's some more fun. SECTIONS CHANNELS ; GET GAMES PARTNERS. (IGN PC Games)
Wary CzechsMark Mardell on Czech attitudes to Brussels rules and regulations Sep 14, 2006
Over the summer, along with a pile of sci-fi, I've been reading a short history of the Byzantine empire - my more respectable read. What struck me was how very many of the emperors were deposed by popular or palace coups. (BBC News)
Muslims must rise up to demand change, progress Sep 14, 2006
Skilos wrote on September 12, 2006 4:55 PM:"Correction Disgusted; When the Turks (Ottoman Empire) overran Constantinople in 1453 it not only ended the Byzantine Empire it also abolished Christian Worship in public. Greeks were encouraged by the American Revolution and overcame their oppressors on March 25, 1835, which also restored Christian worship in public. To this day in Istanbul (formally Constantinople) Greeks are 3rd class citizens.". Weezer wrote on September 12, 2006 3:03 PM:"Power... (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Ahmadinejads Armageddon Sep 8, 2006
But that was historically tempered by the different experience the expanding Islamic state had with its Christian rivals, most formatively the Byzantine Empire, and that influence is still evident in Mahdist writings today (at least in the Sunni Arab ones). For example, some modern works on Mahdism posit a global alliance between the Christian West and the Islamic world--even perhaps between the West and the Mahdi's forces, once he arrives on the scene. (FrontPage Magazine)
Islam's Trajectory Aug 24, 2006
Even during the middle period of the Islamic empire, when the Byzantine Empire had a brief resurgence, the caliph paid tribute to the Byzantine emperor. And then afterwards, the Byzantine Empire generally paid tribute to the caliph. (Ocnus.net)
