Graeco-Roman

Copyright (C) 1998, Ralph W. Mathisen. After the death of Anthemius (467-472), not to mention that of Olybrius (472), the aging eastern emperor http://orb.rhodes.edu/encyclop/early/De_Imp/leo1.htm">Leo  would have viewed himself once again as sole emperor, with the right to select a new emperor in the west. Initially, he seems not to have made any effort to name a western colleague, perhaps being forestalled by the example of what had happened to Anthemius and by not having a suitable candidate of his own. In 473, however, he decided to take action after the Patrician Gundobad raised Glycerius, the Count of the Domestics, to the purple in March. John of Antioch noted, "When Leo, the emperor of the east, learned of the election of Glycerius, he appointed Nepos as general of an expedition against him" (fr.209.2: Gordon trans., p.122). Leo must have dithered for some time before doing so, because by the time the decision was made the approaching winter had cl...

Theodosius is one of the sovereigns by universal consent called Great. He stamped out the last vestiges of paganism, put an end to the Arian heresy in the empire, pacified the Goths, left a famous example of penitence for a crime, and reigned as a just and mighty Catholic emperor. His father, the Comes Theodosius, was a distinguished general; both he and the mother Thermantia were Catholics at a time when Arianism was at its strongest. Theodosius the son distinguished himself in the army, was made Dux of Moesia, defeated the Sarmatians (Ammianus Marcellinus, XXIX, 6); then, when an intrigue brought about the disgrace and execution of his father (376) he retired to his own property in Spain. But his reputation was not forgotten. The Emperor Gratian (375-383) after the death of Valens (378) took Theodosius from private life and made him his fellow-emperor (Augustus) for the East (January 19, 379). He was already married to "Elea Flacilla, by whom he had two sons, Arcadiu...

Topographical map of Constantinople during the Byzantine period, by Cplakidas via Wikimedia Byzantium was a Greek city located on the western side of the Bosporus, one of the straits* that separates Europe from Asia Minor. The city had great strategic importance because it was situated on a hilly, triangular-shaped peninsula and had natural protection against attack. Its large, well-protected natural harbor, known as the Golden Horn, provided a secure location for ships. Its location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia made the city an important center of trade. In late Roman times, Byzantium became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire (later known as the Byzantine Empire) and the name of the city was changed to Constantinople. Byzantium was founded in the 600s B.C. by Greeks from the city of Megara. According to tradition, it was named after its legendary founder, Byzas. Before setting sail from Megara, Byzas asked an oracle where he should establish a new colony. The ...

Megalopolis (Megale Polis, 'Great City’), a new foundation in SW ’Arcadia in the period following ’Leuctra (sources differ on the date, in the range 370-367 bc). Existing communities were combined to produce a new state with a new urban centre; five Arcadian poleis (see polis) provided ‘founders, but the Theban ‘Epaminondas is credited with strong influence. The main accounts (Diod. Sic. 15. 72. 4; Paus. 8. 27) differ on the number of communities incorporated into Megalopolis, but its territory clearly covered SW and central Arcadia, which had had no major state. The main part of the territory was a large upland basin crossed by the river ‘Alpheus, an area crucial for access to north¬ ern Messenia, and for travel across the Eurotas/Alpheus water¬ shed between upper ‘Laconia and southern Arcadia. The new city, built in the era of liberation from Sparta, was fortified (cf. mantinea; messene) by walls enclosing a large area; its buildings included a notable theatre and a m...

king of Sparta (338-330 bc), ’Eurypontid. Ascending the throne at a time of humiliation, when Sparta had lost her borderlands to ’Philip (1) II of Macedon, he devoted himself to reviving his city’s fortunes. Inconclusive intrigues with the Persian commanders in the Aegean (333) led to intervention in ’Crete, where he attracted 8,000 Greek mercenaries, refugees from ’Issus. With their support he declared open war in the Peloponnese during (it seems) summer 331. ’Elis, ’Tegea, and the ’Achaean Confederacy joined his cause, but the Athenians fatally stood aloof. ’Antipater (1) was able to raise a coalition army 40,000 strong, profiting from the common detestation of Spartan expansionism, and relieved the siege of ’Megalopolis. Agis suffered a crushing defeat. He died heroically, but left Sparta enfeebled beyond redemption. Berve, Alexanderreich 2, no. 15; E. Badian, Hermes, 1967, 170 ff., and in I.  Worthington (ed.), Ventures inta Greek History (1994), 258 ff.; A. B. Bosw...

Imitated from different Parts of his Tristia. Jam mea cygneas imitantur tempora plumas,  Inficit & nigras alba senecta comas:  Trist. Lib. iv. Eleg. 8. MY aged head now stoops its honours low,  Bow'd with the load of fifty winters' snow;  And for the raven's glossy black assumes  The downy whiteness of the cygnet's plumes:  Loose scatter'd hairs around my temples stray,  And spread the mournful shade of sickly grey:  ​I bend beneath the weight of broken years,  Averse to change, and chill'd with causeless fears.  The season now invites me to retire  To the dear lares of my household fire;  To homely scenes of calm domestic peace,  A poet's leisure, and an old man's ease;  To wear the remnant of uncertain life  In the fond bosom of a faithful wife;  In safe repose my last few hours to spend,  Nor fearful nor impatient of their end.  Thus a safe port the wave-wo...

Photographer:Jean Housen @Heritagedaily.com Pella is an archaeological site and the historical capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon. Pella was founded next to the modern-day town of Pella, near the Macedonian Gulf in northern Greece. Most scholars believe that Pella was built as the capital for Archelaus I, who was King of Macedon from 413 to 399 BC, although some attribute Pella to Amyntas III, who ruled Macedon from 392 to 370 BC. Pella is famed as the birthplace and ruling seat of Philip II and his son, Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great who succeeded Philip II to the throne at the age of 20. Although Alexander’s empire-building made Macedon a major power that stretched from Greece to northwestern India, it was Phillip II who consolidated most of Classical Greece and reformed the Macedonian army into an effective fighting force. Pella became one of the largest cities in Macedonia and was designed to an early grid ...