ISSUE VIII - Byzantiumnovum

Volume 3, Issue 3
July 2013
The Basilica
B Y Z A N T I U M
N O V U M
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Senate Report
2
Byzantine Fashion
3
Baduila’s Roman Holiday 6-7
Arius vs. Athanasius
1213
Governors
14
Counts
1617
Imperial Officers
19
Constitutum domini Constantini imperatoris
(The Donation of Constantine)
Web Sites You Should Know
Websites:
Main Site
Map of Citizens
Photobucket
Facebook Groups:
Main List
Byzantium Novum Citizens
Ladies of the Byzantine Nation
Senate
Augustaion
BN in Sofia, Bulgaria
BN in the Czech Republic
Yahoo Groups:
Main List
New Citizens
The Chancellery
The Senate
The Literature Club
The Militarium
The Foreign Ministry
Classical Religion
Byzantium Novum Church
For cultural subjects
To discuss ―real world‖ options
for BN
Latin Study Group
Augustaion
Practical Military Exercises
Local Yahoo Groups:
Diocese of Anatoliou Pegalous
Province of Prasino Boura
Province of Megalopotamia
Province of Neophthia
County of Texas
County of Greece
County of California
By Baduila Chalkeus
The Donation of Constantine is a well-known medieval document, believed to be true in the
Middle Ages but now known as a forgery.
In the illustration above, the Emperor Constantine the Great is shown in the center,
presenting Rome (on the right) to the Pope (on the left) as a gift in repayment for curing the
Emperor‘s leprosy. The document itself was probably written in the 8th century. It is dated 30
March, but the years don‘t match up so no one knows what year it was supposed to have
been written, the fourth year of his consulate (315AD) or that of the consulate of Gallicanus
(317AD). The Donation gives the Pope, "supremacy as well over the four principal sees,
Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Constantinople, as also over all the churches of God in
the whole earth.‖
It was first referred to in a letter from Pope Hadrian to Charlemagne in 778AD. The letter
from Pope Hadrian implores Charlemagne to make a similar donation to the Holy See. Pope
Leo IX actually used the Donation directly in 1054AD, in a letter sent to Michael I Cerularius,
Patriarch of Constantinople. However, by that time the veracity of the Donation had already
been in doubt for about 50 years. Leo‘s use of the letter in this way helped fuel the schism
that ultimately divided Christianity into Western and Eastern halves.
The 15th Century Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa declared it to be a forgery and the priest
Lorenzo Valla proved it for certain in the same century, as did others at about the same time.
Shortly before he became Pope, Pope Pius II wrote an expository document explaining
that it was a forgery, but still binding since the church owed its lands to Charlemagne and its
powers of the keys to Peter.
Forgeries were common in the medieval era. Some of them were important in history and
some were not, but none are more famous or important than this one.
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B a s i l i c a
R e p o r t f r o m t h e S e n a t e
B a d u i l a C h a l k e u s
Baduila Chalkeus, Clerk of the Senate and Grand Chancellor of Byzantium Novum, to the Senators,
Governors, Generals, Counts, Officers & All Citizens of Byzantium Novum, Greetings.
In April, the Senate:
Appointed Amma Doukaina Grand Chamberlain of Byzantium Novum.
Approved the request of the Colony of Terra Draconis (Illinois, Wisconsin & Iowa) to form as a local
group in Byzantium Novum.
Thanked Theodosius of Nicaea for his year of service as Count Third Class of Illinois and appointed
him to a one-year term as Count Second Class of Iowa.
Thanked Lukaris Narses for his year of service as Count Third Class of Arizona and appointed him
to a one-year term as Count Second Class.
Appointed Anna of Constantinople as Count Third Class of Illinois.
Commended Senator Amma Doukaina and her staff for the exceptional skill demonstrated in the
latest issue of The Basilica.
In May, the Senate:
Thanked Pavlos Constantinos for his year of service as Count Second Class of the Netherlands,
appointed him to a lifetime appointment as Count First Class, and awarded him the honorific of
Hýpatos.
Thanked Alexius Kaspax for his year of service as Count Second Class of Hawaii, appointed him
to a lifetime appointment as Count First Class, and awarded him the honorific of Hýpatos.
Thanked Thecla Porphyrogenita for her year of service as Countess Second Class of California,
appointed her to a lifetime appointment as Countess First Class, and awarded her the honorific of
Hýpatos.
Thanked Dzulian for his year of service as Count Third Class of Serbia and appointed him to a
one-year term as Count Second Class.
Appointed Jamie Cambron as Countess Third Class of Tennessee.
Ratified the appointment of Jamie Cambron to be Principal Chancellor of the Theme of Anatoliou
Pelagous, having been appointed by Duchess Amma Doukaina.
Ratified the appointment of Baduila Chalkeus to be Principal Treasurer of the Theme of Anatoliou
Pelagous, having been appointed by Duchess Amma Doukaina.
Ratified the appointment of Jamie Cambron to be Treasurer of the Province of Prasino Boura,
having been recommended by President Ulfr the Varangian and appointed by Duchess Amma
Doukaina.
Approved the Second Edition of the Administrative Handbook.
Ratified the Chancellery‘s Instruction on Foreign Language Groups.
In June, the Senate:
Appointed Alexius Kaspax to be Foreign Minister of Byzantium Novum.
Thanked IIosif Davíd Domnínos for his year of service as Count Third Class of Alberta and
appointed him to a one-year term as Count Second Class.
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Byzantine Fashion in a Modern World
By Amma Doukaina
Two years ago, two major designers came out with Fall lines inspired by Byzantium. Both Dolce and Gabbana, and
Chanel created beautiful lines for Fall 2011 that have been showcased most publicly by Katy Perry, seen here at the
2013 Met Gala in a D & G masterpiece. Her outfit was, in my opinion, absolutely beautiful. A fantastically beaded gown
was topped off with oversized gold cross earrings and, in true Byzantine diva style, a gold bejeweled crown on her head.
The Dolce and Gabbana line is absolutely stunning. Seen here in a Google search for images, the D & G collection took
classical Byzantine imagery and created stunning gowns, shoes, handbags and accessories. Their crowns of gold and
jewels would seem audacious if not for the intricately beaded gowns and excessively high-heeled shoes. The Byzantine
decoration on shocking red mini-dresses seems out of place, but it works beautifully to create a line that brings the
Byzantine Empire to life in modern fashion. This line is fun and flirty, and I hope to see it worn by more people in the
public eye.
From Chanel, classic meets classical in a more modest Fall 2011 line than that of Dolce and Gabbana. Chanel always
looks modest, yet modern, and still the line shows a wonderful look back to a more traditional Byzantine style in the
clothing. This fashion house chose to use more than just gold to make a Byzantine statement. From rich blues and
greens to deep and vibrant purples, Chanel brought in the colors of the Byzantine Empire and brought them to life in
a magnificent way. I have always been a fan of Chanel, and I love this line for its depth and richness.
For a more affordable option, I love Holy Clothing. They offer many looks that all take bits and pieces from medieval
history and turns them into hand-sewn works of art. I own two pieces from them, and have a wish list on their website
that includes nearly everything in their line. They have a pattern master who spends a great deal of time on each design,
and is always asking for feedback on new drawings and mock-ups. Their clothing is fairly affordable, especially when
compared to other medieval-style clothing, the quality is exceptional, and every piece is light and flowy.
I hope to see more of the Byzantine Empire in modern fashion. I certainly love the look myself, and am happy to have
some great ideas for what else I want to incorporate into my Byzantine wardrobe. Just a search on Google for Byzantine
fashion brings up a treasure trove of ideas! If you are a Pinterest fan, search Byzantine for lots of amazing photos of
fashion and more!
What‘s your favorite Byzantine look? Share your thoughts and pics on the Culture Group!
Check out this article on Greek and Roman hairstyles!
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B a s i l i c a
Are you a writer, photographer, artisan or have an interest in writing a piece for our newsletter? We‘d love to have your
input, and articles, book reviews, recipes, photos, poems, stories, drawings, and more would be wonderful additions to
The Basilica! You must be willing to sign a release for anything used in this, or any other, publication by Byzantium
Novum. Release forms can be received by contacting Amma Doukaina, editor. Let us know what you‘d like to see in The
Basilica! Your time and input are valuable! Your knowledge should be shared! The options here are wide open, and we
are eager to take items by our citizens to share! Please include a photo with your submission if possible!
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COUNT SEARCH
Baduila Chalkeus, Senator & Grand Chancellor of Byzantium Novum, to the citizens of Byzantium
Novum, greetings.
The Empire of Byzantium Novum is seeking counts to help us grow. According to the Administrative
Handbook:
"The duty of a count is to recruit for Byzantium Novum, be a local point of contact for information,
and help form local provinces and colonies. Only one count will be appointed per US state, Canadian
province, Russian Federal District, or foreign country, and usually each count will cover only one US
state, Canadian province, or country (this includes territories and federal districts)."
and
"Counts (GR Kountes; LA Comes) serve as the point of contact for recruiting & information for a US
state or Canadian province inside the United States, Canada (this includes territories and federal
districts), or one foreign country. Counts outside of themes are appointed by Senate upon request by
an individual desiring the office...All counts second and third class are appointed for a one year term of
office. After completion of two terms of office, counts are awarded the honorific title of Hýpatos."
I hope one of you will apply to be a count. If you are interested, please let me know. If I get your
request by the 20th of this month, I can place your name before the Senate for appointment this
month; otherwise you will need to wait until next month. Contact me with your questions.
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My Roman Holiday
By Baduila Chalkeus
I recently returned from a whirlwind tour of Germany and the Czech Republic with my family. While our itinerary didn‘t
include any sites of importance to modern-day Byzantines, we did have a ―Roman day‖ on which we visited Roman
sites in Germany. Since many of us here are also interested in the ―Western Empire‖, I am providing this report for your
information.
Departing Bremen, we made an easy drive to Kalkriese, Germany, near Osnabruck across the great Northern German
Plain. Near Kalkriese, we began to see signs for the Varusschlacht (‗Varus Massacre‘, the name by which the Battle of
Teutoburgerwald is usually referred in German) and followed them to the museum. We arrived half an hour before opening and were surprised to be allowed inside; however, the presence of a couple of large groups of high school students on
a field trip soon explained their early opening.
There were a couple of buildings: one housing the gift shop, one the restaurant and one appeared to be used for research
but was closed to the public. We paid a small fee and entered.
We passed colorful masks on poles with the various names of European countries in a ―Peace Garden‖ and came to an
ugly, modern steel tower containing a museum. At the door to the museum was an enormous (maybe 9‘ tall) replica of a
plated silver cavalry parade mask that had been found on the site (we saw the original later on the tour).
The museum started by comparing and contrasting the German tribes to the Roman empire, including social order and
military facts, then delved into the battle itself briefly, before moving to artifacts. Most displays were in German and
English, but we learned more by standing within listening range of one of the field trip groups.
After the tower, we went out to the grounds for a walk in the woods which historians believe was the site of the ―last
stand‖ of Varus‘s legions. A line of stakes symbolized the Germanic warriors‘ wall which held the Romans on one side and
there was an enclosed shelter in which we stood in dark trying to discover its purpose. Quickly ending the walk, we went
to the gift shop where, of course, I had to buy a book on the battle.
All-in-all, I was disappointed in the museum/battlefield. That said, it is privately funded and I‘m sure they would love to do
more if the money were available.
Departing that site, we stopped for a Wildknacker sausage and headed south for the long drive to the Taunus Mountains
and the Saalburg.
I had been to Saalburg before. In about 1980, I visited there with a friend in the middle of winter and found it thrilling.
I was standing in a restored Roman border fort from the 2nd century. It was exciting to go there again.
We paid a small fee and entered the grounds through the gift shop without stopping (I‘m not a fan of carrying my
purchases on the tour and always make my purchases on the way out).
The first thing one sees here is the main gate to the fort. My wife and niece had never seen anything like this. Proceeding
inside, I explained the layout and read the signs to them (virtually nothing here is in English) and showed them around.
There were some excellent improvements in the past 30 years but, just like every Autobahn in Germany, it was under
repair. Fences and building materials were everywhere, limiting our tour.
If you are not familiar with the site, the Saalburg is a reconstructed Roman fort from the 2nd Century, located within
walking distance of the Roman Limes Germanicus, part of which has been reconstructed. Ground marks indicate an
earlier single-cohort fort that it replaced. The entire fort has not been reconstructed, but parts that have been are the
praetorium, outer walls and gates, taberna, barracks and officers‘ living accommodations.
The praetorium is excellent, as always. The aedes is now closed to the public, but you can see inside to see the eagles
and standards of the units. The tombstones that used to be inside have been moved outside to the courtyard where they
can be more easily photographed. A series of maps in the assembly hall show the map of Germany during Roman times
in a clear and helpful way.
A new exhibit is a building with a modern interior (grrr!) but that shows magnificently some statues and busts of Roman
citizens from the era of the fort as well as an interesting slide show that is definitely worth seeing – it is done in such a
way that ignorance of German or Latin is not an issue.
I definitely recommend a visit to the Saalburg, which is just north of Frankfurt am Main in the hills above Bad Homburg.
In summary, my Roman day gave my family a great look at German/Roman history and allowed them to gain an
appreciation for Roman history while reinforcing mine. I hope you have enjoyed this brief report.
Mannequin of Roman soldier from the Saalburg
Photo credit: Baduila Chalkeus
Entrance to museum at Kalkriese
Photo credit: Baduila Chalkeus
Entrance to the Saalburg
Photo credit: Baduila Chalkeus
REPORT FOR THE GRAND CHANCELLERY
Senator Baduila Chalkeus, Grand Chancellor and Domestikos, etc., to the Good People of Byzantium Novum,
greetings! I pray this report finds each of you in good health and enjoying pleasant weather.
The future of our organization lies in active local and regional units that will hold face to face meetings and support
one another. We are a new organization and are just getting started in this area, and you can help.
There are a handful of requirements to form a colony, which is an autonomous local chapter of Byzantium Novum:
1. Determine the area you want to cover in your colony. In either case, a colony may not cross national boundaries
(for example, partly in Italy and partly in France) but may include citizens in more than one state or province (or
similar subnational division) within a country.
2. Select a slate of officers.
a.) Magistrate (GR Kleisourarches; LA Proconsul) is the administrative officer of the colony. He/she presides over
and governs the colony and responsible for all activities that take place there. This is a mandatory officer in each
colony. Magistrates are appointed by Senate following a polling of their colony. Magistrates serve a two year term
of office. The magistrate is the legal head of the local chapter and must be a legal adult in his/her area (where
there are multiple legal ages due to multiple jurisdictions, he/she must meet the highest one). After completion
of one term of office, he/she is awarded the honorific Spatharokandidatos by the Senate.
b.) Chamberlain (GR Koubikoularios; LA Cubicularius) is the arts and sciences officer of the colony. He/she
monitors , encourages and assists in endeavors to recreate and learn the arts and sciences of the Byzantine era.
Chamberlains serve a two year term of office. The Chamberlain is appointed by the magistrate and ratified by the
Senate during the normal monthly polling.
c.) Treasurer (GR Sakellarios; LA Quaestor) is the financial officer of the colony. He/she keeps track of funds and
property for the chapter. The Treasurer must be a legal adult in his/her area (where there are multiple legal ages
due to multiple jurisdictions, he/she must meet the highest one). Treasurers serve a two year term of office. The
Treasurer is appointed by the magistrate and ratified by the Senate during the normal monthly polling.
d.) Chancellor (GR Primikerios; LA Cancellarius) is the administrative officer of the colony. He/she publishes the
newsletter and maintains files and important historical documents. Chancellors serve a two year term of office.
The Chancellor is appointed by the magistrate and ratified by the Senate during the normal monthly polling. (Also
see detailed list of duties, above.)
e.) Tribune (GR Tribounos; LA Tribunus) is the military officer of the colony. He/she maintains order at meetings
and provides security at events. Tribunes serve a two year term of office. Tribune is appointed by the magistrate
and approved by the Senate during the normal monthly polling.
f.) Chaplain (GR Ephemerios: LA Cappellanus) is the chief religious officer of the colony. He/she provides religious
ceremony for the theme. This is an optional officer in each colony. The chaplain is appointed by the magistrate and
approved by the Senate during the normal monthly polling.
g.) The officers of the colony must consist, at a minimum, of the magistrate and one other officer (not including the
chaplain or counts).
h.) Officers may appoint deputies as desired.
Note: GR = Greek, LA = Latin
Continued:
2. Select a suitable name. Colony will be designated ―Colony of NNN‖, where NNN is the name they have submitted after it
has been approved by the Grand Chancellor on behalf of the Senate. These names may be in Greek, Latin or English and
should not be a historical place. An example is ―Colony of Boyna‖. I will be very happy to help with this.
3. Submit a Request for Organization to the Grand Chancellor. You can contact me for the form. This is a one page form
designed to be simple to complete.
Ok, we know what we need now where do we need colonies? These are areas I would like to see colonies, but I am flexible.
However, each of these has the required number of citizens (current number in parenthesis).
Oregon (6)
Washington (5)
California (10)
Nevada-Utah (6)
Kansas-Missouri-Oklahoma (7)
Michigan-Indiana-Ohio (12)
Pennsylvania (8)
New York (12)
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. (8)
New Jersey (6)
Massachusetts (6)
Connecticut-Rhode Island (6)
Sweden (6)
Germany (8)
BENELUX (7)
England-Wales (19)
Czech Republic (5)
Romania (5)
Serbia (18)
Bulgaria (11)
Greece (13)
I would love to help anyone form a colony anywhere in the world – even areas not listed here. Feel free to recruit more
folks, too! Let me know what I can do help you.
Baduila Chalkeus
Rhodomeli from Bassus Country Matters
―Recipe for rose honey: fine roses, wild ones if possible. Cut
away the white part at the end of the rose petals, squeeze
them in a press and take two pints of the juice and one pint of
honey. Skim off the froth on the honey, add the honey to the
rose juice and put in a storage jar; stir vigorously and store
away in a place that is not damp.‖
Or try the modern equivalent! Rose water can be purchased
online or in ethnic markets.
1/4 pint rosewater
2 ounces honey
Stir the rose water into the honey and store in a sterilized jarIt will keep for several months.
Use to flavor porridge or to dip fresh bread.
* All taken from:
Roman Cookery: Ancient Recipes for Modern Kitchens.
By Mark Grant
ISBN 978-1897959-60-2
Governors of Byzantium Novum
Province of Megalopotamia
President - Baduila Chalkeus
Virginia & West Virginia
Village of Bergina
Mayor - Michael of Bergina
Theme of Anatoliou
Pelagous
Duchess - Amma Doukaina
Village of Rhomanople
Mayor - Origen laphagos
Province of Prasino Boura
President - Ulfr the Varangian
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Manassas & Fairfax, Virginia
Kentucky & Tennessee
Province of Neophthia
President - vacant - contact Amma if
North & South Carolina
interested
Colony of Valentia
Magistrate - Tiberius Tullius Lucianus
Colony of Nova Gallica
Magistrate - Oliver Domonkos
Colony of Nova Raska
Magistrate - Publius Quinctius Petrus Augustinus
Colony of Noviodunum
Magistrate - Marcus Cassius Julianus
Colony of Neoaustralia
Magistrate - Alexius Comnineous
Colony of Terra Draconis
Magistrate - Anna of Constantinople
Village of Phoenix
Mayor - Krysanthe Meridia Altessa Aeternia
Scotland
Eastern Canada
Texas, Arkansas & Louisiana
Northern New England
Australia
Illinois, Wisconsin & Iowa
Phoenix, Arizona
Flavia Iulia Helena Augusta
By Baduila Chalkeus
Flavia Iulia Helena Augusta was born in about 245-250AD. Not only are we not sure of the date, we‘re not sure of
the location, although Drepanum, in Asia Minor (now in Turkey) is most commonly regarded as the place. Her
parents are not known, but were almost certainly poor, since she was a stable-maid, or perhaps worked at an
inn.
She would not remain poor. In fact, she would rise to be one of the most influential women of the Roman/
Byzantine era.
In some unknown way (it would be a great romance novel or movie), she met a Roman officer named Marcus
Flavius Valerius Constantius Herculius, known to us as Constantius. In time they would marry, possibly it was a
common-law marriage but no one knows for sure – there is even a rumor she was merely a concubine but that
accusation may have been made by political enemies to degrade her.
She gave birth to a son in about 272AD in the city of Naissus (now Niš, Serbia), whom they named Flavius
Valerius Aurelius Constantinus, but whom we know as Constantine. He was their only child.
As Constantius rose in power, Helena became a burden to him. Having a lower-class wife was not going to
help him as he became Caesar in the West, so he divorced her.
Helena and her son stayed in Augusta Treverorum (Trier) and she raised him there. Despite the divorce,
Constantine was selected by Diocletian to serve in his court as the heir to his father. In his dual role as a student
and hostage (to ensure his father‘s good behavior), Constantine excelled. There are a number of rumors about
his heroic deeds during this time. Ultimately, Emperor Galerius made him Caesar in the West. After the passage
of a few years, he moved his capital to Trier, where his mother still lived. Finally, he became Augustus and sole
ruler of the Roman Empire.
Helena had become a Christian during her time in Trier. In fact, she donated her villa to the church, which is
now the cathedral in Trier. Unrestrained now, and vindicated in her beliefs, she became a champion of inquiry
and Christianity. Her son opened the gates of the treasury, giving her unlimited amounts of money, to satisfy her
investigations.
She is credited with two major discoveries: the robe of Christ, being the robe he wore at the time of his
crucifixion and which is now in Trier, and a fragment of the holy cross, which she took to the Basilica of the Holy
Sepulchre. She also built several churches and monasteries.
After her expedition to the Levant, she came to Rome (reportedly strewing the grounds of the Vatican with soil
from Golgotha, where the Savior was crucified). It was there she died in about 327/330AD and was entombed.
After her death, she was venerated as a Saint in multiple churches and is the Patron Saint of New Discoveries.
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Arius vs. Athanasius
By Thecla Porphyrogenita
Constantine called the Council of Nicaea to come up with a formula that would reconcile warring theological factions
who could not agree about the character of the relations between Trinitarian Persons, in particular between the Father
and Son. Arius of Alexandria, had held that the Son, though divine, was not strictly equal to the father and that, though
he was ―the firstborn of all creation,‖ there was a time when he was not. Bishop Alexander of Alexandria, and more
emphatically, his secretary and successor, Athanasius, did not agree. They held that Father and Son were ―of one
substance‖—homoousios—and therefore strictly equal in every respect.
What exactly was at stake in this controversy? Arguably the difference between Athanasians and Arians grew out of
differences concerning the motivation for Trinitarian doctrine. The doctrine of the Trinity wasn‘t a brute revelation—it
was an explanatory hypothesis intended to address two very different questions.
One question arose from a strictly in-house Christian conundrum: how could one consistently hold that Father and Son
were each divine, each gods, that they were not identical, but that nevertheless there was just one God? The second
question was more broadly philosophical—or at least more Platonic. One of the fundamental worries of educated
people during the period, was the question of how a perfect, divine being—and for Greeks that meant a being that was
incorporeal, impassible, unchangeable and untainted by transactions with a mutable, material, imperfect world—could,
nevertheless, create, sustain and do business with a mutable, material, imperfect world.
The first question was a logical puzzle—in particular, a puzzle about identity. Identity is a counting relation: for any
objects x and y, we count them as one just in case x = y. So Christian monotheists, who hold that Father, Son and
Holy Spirit are each God but that nevertheless there is just one God have to find a way of making out that the Persons,
though distinct from one another, are each God but, nevertheless, there is just one God. Moreover, identity is an
indiscernibility relation: if x = y then whatever is true of x is true of y and vice versa. So if Christ is indeed (identical
with) God, then whatever was true of him must be true of God. The problem is that there are a great many things that
are true of Jesus that are, it seems not true of God simpliciter: he was born in a particular place at a particular time; he
was a flesh-and-blood human being; he was limited in both knowledge and power. None of these things, it seems, are
true of God
So there is a logical puzzle, in two parts. First, identity, generally understood as the counting relation, is transitive.
This is a fact from high school algebra: if a = b and b = c then a = b. But transitivity of identity (given symmetry), seems
to imply that since the Father = God and the Son = God, the Father = the Son. Secondly, identity is an indiscernibility
relation, so that if a = b then a and b have all the same properties. But this seems to entail that whatever is true of any
Trinitarian Person is true of God simpliciter and so of any other Person. In particular, it seems to imply that, since
Christ, who was God, was crucified then the Father, who was God, was crucified—the heresy of patripassionism. These
are the logical puzzles that concern contemporary philosophers.
The second question is ―philosophical‖ in an older, broader, more popular sense: it concerns the relation between God
and the material world. What could bridge the gap between a perfect, incorporeal, immutable God and an imperfect,
material, mutable world? Plato‘s idea was that between the one God, the perfect being, and the imperfect world there
was an intermediate being, a demiurge, which created the material world.
Once philosophers stated worrying about how the one, perfect, immaterial, immutable God could have any dealings
with the material world it became hard to see how just one intermediate demiurge could make a difference, why the
problem didn‘t just repeat endlessly. Granted, the Demiruge did the dirty work of creation because The One, the
perfect, immaterial, immutable Being, couldn‘t be tainted. This just pushed the problem back: if the Demiurge accepted the taint from its transactions with the material world, how could the perfect One be in contact with the Demiurge?
By the same reasoning it seemed that intermediaries had to be multiplied indefinitely. And in some Gnostic systems
they were: the Valentinians, who were at least quasi-Christian, and other Gnostic groups had elaborate theologies according to which persons were trapped in a cosmos dominated by Aeons, guardians of spheres surrounding the earth,
and blocking it from high heaven. Each Aeon was yet another intermediary in the great chain of being which was
packed more and more densely, and which mediated between the one perfect, immaterial immutable God and the
imperfect, mutable, material world.
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The proto-orthodox Christian view, developed in its most sophisticated form by Origen in the third century, was
that Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, was the one intermediary between the one perfect God and his
imperfect creation—the Logos through whom all things were made. This kind of view was however, at least implicitly
subordinationist: it assumed that while the Son was divine, he was not in the strictest sense, equal to the Father but
was rather an intermediary between the perfect, incorporeal creator and his imperfect, material creation.
This was the kind of view that was popular in the ―philosophical‖ East on the eve of the Council of Nicaea. This
was the kind of account proposed by Arius, the turbulent priest of Alexandria, which was condemned at Nicaea.
The Council of Nicaea however was not immediately decisive. Constantine himself, thought the dispute between
Arians and their antagonists, the party of Athanasius later characterized as ―orthodox,‖ was inconsequential. His
aim was unity—a goal that the Council of Nicaea did not achieve. The council did not, as Constantine had hoped,
establish a compromise position that all could accept; rather it affirmed the view promoted by Bishop Alexander,
which subsequently became identified with his successor, Athanasius.
Constantine flubbed it because he promoted Athanasian theology at the behest of his theological advisor, Osius
of Corduva—a Spaniard, hence a Latin who promoted the doctrines of the ―unphilosophical‖ West. Constantine
soon regretted his decision and spent the rest of his life vacillating between Arius and Athanasius. The two Eusebii—
Constantine‘s biographer, the church historian Eusebius of Caeserea, and Eusebius of Nicomedia, among the
most influential churchmen of the period—were Arians. Constintine, on his deathbed, was baptized by Eusebuis
of Nicomedia. And Constantine‘s son and successor, Constantius II, was an enthusiastic Arian.
Should be we Arians or Athanasians? Arguably the dispute is a metaphilosophical one, about what we think
philosophy should do.
In the fourth century, when Arians and Athanasians were duking it out, there was no distinction between philosophy
and the empirical sciences. ―Philosophy,‖ as it was then understood was all in all, and it was expected that
―philosophy‖ should deliver information about the workings of the material world. It was only later that what we
now understand as the natural sciences spun off of philosophy, and later still, into the 19h century, that economics
and the other social sciences were recognized as independent disciplines. It was only then that the distinction
between a priori and a posteriori claims was taken seriously, and it was recognized that philosophy strictly speaking,
an elaboration on logic, had nothing to say about empirical facts.
If this is correct, then the dispute between Arians and Athanasians, which motivated the Council of Nicaea, is not
one about how we should answer a particular question but rather a matter of disagreement about which questions
philosophers, including theologians, should address. Plato, and his followers during the Hellenistic period and Late
Antiquity didn‘t distinguish between philosophy, including theology, and the empirical sciences. They assumed that
any ―philosophy‖ worth its salt, and so any theology, should have a grand picture of the universe—of how material
things came into being and of the mechanics of the material world. This is what Origin, his non-Christian predecessors
and later some later Christian theologians assumed.
They were wrong. Contemporary educated Christians recognize that the sciences tell us all there is to know about
about the material world. We do not look to theology to explain the mechanism by which the world came into being
or how it operates, so for us Arianism is not motivated. To the extent that we are interested in theology it is the first
question, the question concerning a priori logical puzzles, that interests us.
Should be Arians or Athanasians? Arguably, that is not a matter of how we should answer a given question or questions, but rather one of which questions we should ask. And I suggested that it was not legitimate, in doing philosophy
or theology, to ask questions about the origin or operation of the natural world—that this was the business of the
empirical sciences. On this account, Arianism, to the extent that it was motivated by an interest in making sense of
the origin and operation of the natural world, seems to lose out.
Governors of Byzantium Novum
Province of Megalopotamia
Virginia & West Virginia
President - Baduila Chalkeus
Village of Bergina
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Mayor - Michael of Bergina
Theme of Anatoliou
Village of Rhomanople
Manassas & Fairfax,
Virginia
Mayor - Origen laphagos
Pegalous
Duchess - Amma Doukaina
Province of Prasino Boura
Kentucky & Tennessee
President - Ulfr the Varangian
Province of Neophthia
President - vacant - contact Amma if North & South Carolina
interested
Colony of Valentia
Magistrate - Tiberius Tullius Lucianus
Colony of Nova Gallica
Magistrate - Oliver Domonkos
Colony of Nova Raska
Magistrate - Publius Quinctius Petrus Augustinus
Colony of Noviodunum
Magistrate - Marcus Cassius Julianus
Colony of Neoaustralia
Magistrate - Alexius Comnineous
Colony of Terra Draconis
Magistrate - Anna of Constantinople
Village of Phoenix
Mayor - Krysanthe Meridia Altessa Aeternia
Scotland
Eastern Canada
Texas, Arkansas &
Louisiana
Northern New England
Australia
Illinois, Wisconsin & Iowa
Phoenix, Arizona
BOOK REPORT
By Baduila Chalkeus
The Story of the Byzantine Empire, by Sir Charles William Chadwick Oman KBE. New York: G. P.
Putnam‘s Sons, 1892.
I just love the way this book opens:
―Fifty years ago the word ‗Byzantine‘ was used as a synonym for all that was corrupt and decadent,
and the tale of the East-Roman Empire was dismissed by modern historians as depressing and
monotonous. The great Gibbon had branded the successors of Justinian and Heraclius as series of
vicious weaklings, and for several generations no one dared to contradict him.
―Two works have served to undeceive the English reader, the monumental work of Finlay, published
in 1856, and the more modern volumes of Mr. Bury, which appeared in 1889. Since they have
written, the Byzantines no longer need an apologist, and the great work of the East-Roman Empire
in holding back the Saracen, and in keeping alive throughout the Dark Ages the lamp of learning, is
beginning to be realized.‖
Oman speaks here with the same respect for the Byzantine Empire as OUR organization. He feels the
same desire to excite the population at large, refute those who would attack the Empire we emulate
and inform the world of its Imperial glory – and sad demise.
The book goes way back into the past, before the days of Empire, to the days when Doric Greeks from
Megara established a small village, later to become Constantinople – New Rome, the center of the
world. They had been told by the Oracle at Delphi to ―build their town over against the city of the
blind‖ and had reasoned that the Chalcedonians were blind for not seeing the wisdom of the location
they settled. It was a magnificent site – well watered and easily defendable. Triangular in shape, it
needed to build a wall on only one side to make their fortress impregnable.
And thus the great city began.
Oman rolls through the same history we have all read: Constantine, the Goths, Stilicho and Alaric,
Justinian and the early emperors, Slavic invaders, Phocas, ―Mahomet‖ and the Saracens, Iconoclasts,
the Macedonian emperors, the Comneni, the horrible fall of 1204, then Turks and ultimate collapse.
He tells the same tale, but not in the same way -- Oman, being a man of his late 19th century age,
writes prose like a poet. In short, it is beautiful to read but for those of us who follow the ―just the
facts‖ style of writing common nowadays; it may be hard to understand. That said, it is worth the
effort.
Written in 1892, the book is old. That takes little away from it, though, in the way of new knowledge,
while it adds a great deal.
In addition to matchless text, the book is prolifically illustrated. There are over 40 illustrations and
maps which serve to break up clarify the text. With just under 400 pages (including the excellent
index), on average less than 10 pages separate the illustrations.
Best of all, you can read or download the book for free from Google Books by visiting here.
COUNTS AND MAYORS OF BYZANTIUM NOVUM
MAYORS
Area
Phoenix AZ
Name
Krysanthe Meridia Altessa Aeternia
Bergina
Michael of Bergi(Fredericksburg
na
VA)
Rhomople
Origen laphagos
(Northern VA)
Date of Office
Date of Expiry
Email
1-Jan-11
NA
[email protected]
6-Mar-12
NA
[email protected]
21-Oct-12
NA
[email protected]
COUNTS THIRD CLASS
Area
Louisiana
Romania
Name
Gaius Antonius
Germanicus
Ovidiu Moldo-
Christophoros
Iacobos Anglia
Gaius Aurelius
U.A.E.
Anselmus
Tiberius Iulius
Czech Republic
Nerva
Honduras
Pater Georgios
Publius Quinctius Petrus AuTexas
gustinus
Turkey
Çağdaş Öziş
Angel KostadiBulgaria
nov
Northwestern
Leo Ducas
F.D. of Russia
Georgia (US
Secundus Arrius
State)
Valentinus
David ComneOntario
nos
Anna of ConIllinois
stantinople
Tennessee
Jamie Cambron
Missouri
Date of Office
Date of Expiry
Email
1-Oct-12
1-Oct-13
[email protected]
1-Dec-12
1-Dec-13
[email protected]
1-Jan-13
1-Jan-14
[email protected]
1-Jan-13
1-Jan-14
[email protected]
1-Jan-13
1-Jan-14
[email protected]
1-Jan-13
1-Jan-14
[email protected]
1-Feb-13
1-Feb-14
[email protected]
1-Apr-13
1-Apr-14
[email protected]
1-Apr-13
1-Apr-14
[email protected]
1-Apr-13
1-Apr-14
[email protected]
1-Apr-13
1-Apr-14
[email protected]
1-Apr-13
1-Apr-14
[email protected]
1-May-13
1-May-14
[email protected]
1-Jun-13
1-Jun-14
[email protected]
COUNTS SECOND CLASS
Area
Name
Date of Office
Date of Expiry
Email
South Africa
Maria Aegyptica
1-Dec-12
1-Dec-13
[email protected]
New Jersey
Kirill Vasil Vladimirvich
1-Mar-13
1-Mar-14
[email protected]
Sweden
Konstantin Fokas
1-Apr-13
1-Apr-14
[email protected]
Arizona
Lukaris Narses
1-May-13
1-Apr-14
[email protected]
Iowa
Theodosius of Nicaea
1-May-13
1-May-14
[email protected]
Serbia
Dzulian
1-Jun-13
1-Jun-14
[email protected]
Alberta
Io̱sí̱ f Davíd Domnínos
1-Jul-13
1-Jul-14
[email protected]
COUNTS FIRST CLASS
Area
Northern New England
Name
Marcus Cassius Julianus
Date of Office
Date of Expiry
Virginia
Email
1-Jan-13
NA
[email protected]
Baduila Chalkeus
1-Jan-13
NA
[email protected]
United Kingdom
Tiberius Tullius Lucianus
1-Mar-13
NA
[email protected]
Kansas
Priscus Psellos
1-Apr-13
NA
[email protected]
Australia
Alexious Komninos
1-Apr-13
NA
[email protected]
Greece
Michael Psellus
1-Apr-13
NA
[email protected]
1-Apr-13
NA
[email protected]
Netherlands
Marcus Pompeius
Caninus
Pavlos Constantinos
1-Jun-13
NA
[email protected]
Hawaii
Alexius Kaspax
1-Jun-13
NA
[email protected]
ategos.com
California
Thecla Porphyrogenita
1-Jun-13
NA
[email protected]
Alaska
On October 4 and 5, 2013 Stockton
College in New Jersey will be holding
a Symposium on:
CONSTANTINE: RELIGIOUS FAITH AND
IMPERIAL POLICY: CELEBRATING THE
1700TH ANNIVERSARY OFTHE EDICT OF
MILAN.
OCTOBER 4-5 2013
THE RICHARD STOCKTON COLLEGE OF
NEW JERSEY
This Symposium is co-sponsored by the
Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies
(ICHS) at the Richard Stockton College of
New Jersey and the Orthodox Christian
Studies Center at Fordham University,
Speakers Include:
George Demacopoulos
H.A. Drake
Peter Leithart
Noel Lenski
Charles Odahl
Raymond Van Dam
For questions about the Symposium or to
receive further Information please contact
Dr. Tom Papademetriou, Director of the
ICHS, or Dr. A. Edward Siecienski
Have a look at the most recent list of Imperial Officers. These
people are specialists in their respective areas. All those vacant
seats need to be filled! Are you interested in one of them? Contact Baduila for more information!
Cool Calligraphy Site!
12 Byzantine Rulers by Lars Brownworth (podcast)
Podcast on the history of Byzantium
Byzantine Artwork
Byzantine Secular Music
Byzantine Mosaic Found
Another History Podcast
DNA Testing on Minoan Skeletons
New York Church, Byzantine Artwork
Hungarian Greek Orthodox Church (Matyas Exarch)
Article on the Fall of Constantinople
Heaven on Earth:Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections to Premiere at National Gallery of Art
WASHINGTON, DC―In the first exhibition devoted to Byzantine art at the National Gallery of Art, Washington,
some 170 rare and important works, drawn exclusively from Greek collections, will offer a fascinating glimpse
of the soul and splendor of the mysterious Byzantine Empire. On view in the West Building from October 6, 2013,
through March 2, 2014, Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections will trace the development
of Byzantine visual culture from the fourth to the 15th century, beginning with the ancient pagan world of the late
Roman Empire and continuing to the opulent and deeply spiritual world of the new Christian Byzantine Empire.
MORE HERE
Justinian Plague Crippled Byzantine Empire with Help of Pesky 'Black Death' Bacterium
As Emperor Justinian's soldiers put their enemies to the sword in an aggressive campaign to recapture lost
Roman territories, a devastating plague cut a swath through the Mediterranean population and claimed the
lives of over 100 million people. The contagion ravaged the region between the sixth and seventh century, and
preceded the infamous 'Black Death,' and 'Modern Plague' of the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Now,
scientists at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in Germany have pinpointed the root cause of the plague:
a pesky bacterium known as Yersinia pestis.
MORE HERE
IMPERIAL OFFICERS OF BYZANTIUM NOVUM
Foreign Ministry
Foreign Minister
Senator Alexius Kaspax
Assistant Foreign Minister (Balkans & Hungary)
Senator Matyas Puskas Belisarius
Assistant Foreign Minister (Successor States)
Origen laphagos
Assistant Foreign Minister (Germany & Italy)
Vacant
Minister of Barbarians
Senator Marcus Minucius Audens
Treasury Ministry
Not formed
Vacant
Chancellery
Grand Chancellor
Senator Baduila Chalkeus
Provost of Insignia
Count Marcos Galanis
Provost of the Chamber
Mikhail Ivan Alexandrovich Nickolopoulos-Gretzenko
Provost of Chronicles
Count P. Q. Petrus Augustinus
Chaplaincy
Grand Prelate
Senator Matyas Puskas Belisarius
Deputy Grand Prelate for Classic Religion
Senator Amma Doukaina
Grand Researcher
Countess Thecla Porphyrogenita
Chartulary
Not formed
Vacant
Chamberlaincy
Grand Chamberlain
Senator Amma Doukaina
Grand Librarian
Vacant
Grand Vestitor
Aleksandar Shopov
Grand Supervisor of the Xenon
Countess Anne of Constantinople
Didaskalos ton Ellinikon
Count Michael Psellus
Grand Supervisor of the Latin Group
Vacant
Militarium
Praefectus Castrorum/Stratopedarches
Senator Marcus Minucius Audens
Megas Strategos (Thematic Army)
Megas Hetaireiarchēs (Tagmatic Army)
Senator Matyas Puskas Belisarius
Senator Baduila Chalkeus
I was born in Danville IL, and grew up in Bismarck. I'm
the oldest of 3. My husband and I have been together
since Oct 2006, and we married in Aug 2011. I have 2
sons from a previous marriage. They're 22 and 23.
Anna of Constantinople
I went into nursing, almost right out of high school. I was
hit by a drunk driver in May 1989, when I was pregnant
with my oldest. It put an end to my nursing career.
I've known Baduila forever. We belong to the same SCA
household.
I've been doing genealogy since I was 15, and have
traced my mother's tree back over 50 generations. My
dad's tree is another story. His family is doing its best to
hide from me. My family tree can be viewed here.
National Gallery of Art Byzantine Exhibition
WASHINGTON, DC―In the first exhibition devoted to Byzantine art at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, some
170 rare and important works, drawn exclusively from Greek collections, will offer a fascinating glimpse of the soul and
splendor of the mysterious Byzantine Empire. On view in the West Building from October 6, 2013, through March 2, 2014,
Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections will trace the development of Byzantine visual culture from the
fourth to the 15th century, beginning with the ancient pagan world of the late Roman Empire and continuing to the opulent
and deeply spiritual world of the new Christian Byzantine Empire.
MORE HERE
FOREIGN MINISTRY REPORT
The Foreign Ministry continues to lumber along, however some new changes have developed within the Ministry. First, our
longtime Foreign Minister Baduila Chalkeus has retired from the position. We are sad to see him go, but he is dedicating
himself to more within the Imperial government. This leads to our second change, Alexios Kaspax, former Deputy Foreign
Minister, is now the Foreign Minister. In his role as Foreign Minister, he will seek to establish diplomatic relations with other
groups to forward the cause of Byzantium Novum.
With that being said, the Foreign Ministry has positions open within its ranks. First is the now-vacant position of Deputy
Foreign Minister. This is the principal assistant to the Foreign Minister, with responsibility to contact other microstates and
similar organizations with the purpose of establishing diplomatic relations. Must be a good writer and diplomat.
Second is an Assistant Foreign Minister for the German and Italian States. This Minister is an assistant to the Foreign
Minister and regional expert on areas important to our Empire in a historical context. Must be willing to participate by
sharing information on the area of your regional assignment on the Foreign Ministry Yahoo Group.
God Bless and Save the Empire.
Senator Alexios Kaspax, Vir illustris
Foreign Minister
Count of Hawaii
Empire of Byzantium Novum
WWW.BYZANTIUMNOVUM.ORG
MISSION STATEMENT
Byzantium Novum is a micro-nation dedicated
to the rebirth of Byzantine culture and
civilization which was formed to become a
small, legitimate successor state to the
Byzantine Empire. We exist as a micro-national
sovereignty project, working to bring Byzantine
civilization to life in the modern world as much
as is possible. Our goal is to establish a
physical, symbolic and administrative world
capitol of 100 acres or more, where the
Byzantine State may have a real-world
existence and coordinate Byzantine interests
around the world.
©1 July 2013, by Byzantium Novum, Amma Doukaina, editor. All rights
reserved. Contact the editor for reprinting rights.
Newsletters will be available the first of the month, January, April, July and
October. Submissions must be turned in to the editor by the 15th of the
previous month. Submissions will be published on a space-available basis
and at the discretion of the editor. Items and articles relative to the
operation of the Byzantium Novum or the Byzantine Empire in general will
always have precedence.
The editor reserves the right to edit all submissions.
All artwork in this issue is from the editor‗s private collection or in the
public domain, except where noted.
MEMBERS OF THE SENATE OF BYZANTIUM NOVUM
Marcus Cassius Julianus – President
Baduila Chalkeus – Clerk of the Senate
Priscus Psellos
Marcus Minucius Audens
Matyas Exarch
Amma Doukaina
IMPERIAL OFFICERS OF BYZANTIUM NOVUM
Baduila Chalkeus, Foreign Minister
Baduila Chalkeus, Grand Chancellor
Matyas Exarch, Grand Prelate
IMPERIAL ASSOCIATIONS OF BYZANTIUM NOVUM
Byzantium Novum Militarium Marcus Municius Audens, Commander
Biblotetheca Byzantia Amma Doukaina, Grand Librarian
LEGIO TREDECIM GEMINA
A new Roman reenactment society has been formed in the Houston, Texas area: Legio Tredecim
Gemina. It is dedicated to a study of Ancient Rome, its history, culture, peoples, and military.
Legio Tredecim Gemina encourages scholarship on Ancient Rome and its culture. Additionally, Legio
Tredecim Gemina participates in Roman reenactments in the Texas region.
Please explore the Legio Tredecim Gemina website or contact us.
Join the adventure …. Join Legio Tredecim Gemina!