Emperor Julian, often called Julian the Apostate, was a unique and controversial leader of the ancient Roman Empire. Born into a time filled with chaos and the rise of Christianity, Julian’s path to becoming emperor was full of twists and turns. Known as the last emperor to support the old Roman gods in a time …
Background of the Fourth Crusade In the years from 1201 to 1202 the Fourth Crusade, sanctioned by pope Innocent III, was readying itself to set out to conquer Egypt, which was by then the center of Islamic power. After initial problems, finally Boniface, the Marquis of Monferrat was decided as the leader of the campaign.But …
Flavius Magnus Magnentius(AD ca. 303 – AD 353) Magnentius was born at about AD 303 around Samarobriva (Amiens) to an English father and a Frankish mother. He served in a barbarian unit under he rule of Constantine. During the reign of his sons Magnentius then rose to become staff officer and then a commander of …
Constantine the Great, born in Naissus, Upper Moesia, around 27 February AD 272 or 273, was a Roman emperor. He was the son of Helena, who was an innkeeper’s daughter, and Constantius Chlorus. The exact details of his parents’ marital status are uncertain, leading to the possibility that Constantine might have been an illegitimate child. …
Basiliscus (died AD 476) Basiliscus was the brother of Aelia Verina and hence emperor Leo’s brother-in-law. In about AD 464 he became ‘Master of Soldiers’ in Thrace where he on several occasions successfully repelled invaders. These successes, and the help of his sister, won him the position of ‘Master of Soldiers’ at the headquarters of …
‘Zeno the Isaurian’ Tarasicodissa (died AD 491) Zeno was from Rosoumblada in the province in south-eastern Asia Minor known as Isauria. The emperor Leo called him to Constantinople as the leader of a force of Isaurians in order to counter the ever-growing German influence over the empire. Also a special imperial guard was set up, …