Imperator Cat
@catimperator.bsky.social
Historian, Writer, Geek, Felinophile. Questioning everything.
Though it endured only a few years beyond this date, with Northern Italy lost, the Romans struggling to defend the Apennines - the Empire at the end of Justinian’s reign remains a staggering achievement.
Always breathtaking to behold.
Link to high res
www.deviantart.com/cyowari/art/...
Always breathtaking to behold.
Link to high res
www.deviantart.com/cyowari/art/...
September 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Though it endured only a few years beyond this date, with Northern Italy lost, the Romans struggling to defend the Apennines - the Empire at the end of Justinian’s reign remains a staggering achievement.
Always breathtaking to behold.
Link to high res
www.deviantart.com/cyowari/art/...
Always breathtaking to behold.
Link to high res
www.deviantart.com/cyowari/art/...
#OTD in 537 AD, the first Siege of Rome began, lasting for a year and nine days. The city was besieged by the Ostrogothic army led by king Vitiges. The Romans were commanded by general Belisarius.
The siege ultimately failed, and Belisarius could continue his reconquest of Italy
🖼️Giorgio Albertini
The siege ultimately failed, and Belisarius could continue his reconquest of Italy
🖼️Giorgio Albertini
March 2, 2025 at 6:46 PM
#OTD in 537 AD, the first Siege of Rome began, lasting for a year and nine days. The city was besieged by the Ostrogothic army led by king Vitiges. The Romans were commanded by general Belisarius.
The siege ultimately failed, and Belisarius could continue his reconquest of Italy
🖼️Giorgio Albertini
The siege ultimately failed, and Belisarius could continue his reconquest of Italy
🖼️Giorgio Albertini
A ghost from the past
The SS United States, once the fastest ocean liner in the world, on her way to become artificial reef off the Florida's coast
If you squint, you can imagine her tearing through the ocean waves again, a reminder of the golden age
Courtesy of the captain of the tugboat "Vinik"
The SS United States, once the fastest ocean liner in the world, on her way to become artificial reef off the Florida's coast
If you squint, you can imagine her tearing through the ocean waves again, a reminder of the golden age
Courtesy of the captain of the tugboat "Vinik"
February 28, 2025 at 9:51 AM
A ghost from the past
The SS United States, once the fastest ocean liner in the world, on her way to become artificial reef off the Florida's coast
If you squint, you can imagine her tearing through the ocean waves again, a reminder of the golden age
Courtesy of the captain of the tugboat "Vinik"
The SS United States, once the fastest ocean liner in the world, on her way to become artificial reef off the Florida's coast
If you squint, you can imagine her tearing through the ocean waves again, a reminder of the golden age
Courtesy of the captain of the tugboat "Vinik"
In 1400, emperor Manuel II arrived in London where he met with Henry IV.
It was the first such visit to these islands by a Roman emperor since Constans arrived in Britannia in 343, more than 1,000 years before. And the first time since Constantine III left Britain in 407.
It was the first such visit to these islands by a Roman emperor since Constans arrived in Britannia in 343, more than 1,000 years before. And the first time since Constantine III left Britain in 407.
February 27, 2025 at 12:00 AM
In 1400, emperor Manuel II arrived in London where he met with Henry IV.
It was the first such visit to these islands by a Roman emperor since Constans arrived in Britannia in 343, more than 1,000 years before. And the first time since Constantine III left Britain in 407.
It was the first such visit to these islands by a Roman emperor since Constans arrived in Britannia in 343, more than 1,000 years before. And the first time since Constantine III left Britain in 407.
While emperor Claudius coming to Britain atop an elephant is a tempting scene, the reality was probably different, with "elephant" marking a sort of siege weapon.
After all, the Romans had a history of using animal names to name military machines (aries, onager, scorpio, corvus)
After all, the Romans had a history of using animal names to name military machines (aries, onager, scorpio, corvus)
February 15, 2025 at 2:52 PM
While emperor Claudius coming to Britain atop an elephant is a tempting scene, the reality was probably different, with "elephant" marking a sort of siege weapon.
After all, the Romans had a history of using animal names to name military machines (aries, onager, scorpio, corvus)
After all, the Romans had a history of using animal names to name military machines (aries, onager, scorpio, corvus)
After becoming "religio licita" under Constantine the Great, Christianity rapidly permeated all aspects of daily life in the Roman Empire.
Signet rings with a prayer to God, like the silver ring from the Fine Arts Museum in Budapest (4th c), became ubiquitous among the wealthy
Signet rings with a prayer to God, like the silver ring from the Fine Arts Museum in Budapest (4th c), became ubiquitous among the wealthy
February 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
After becoming "religio licita" under Constantine the Great, Christianity rapidly permeated all aspects of daily life in the Roman Empire.
Signet rings with a prayer to God, like the silver ring from the Fine Arts Museum in Budapest (4th c), became ubiquitous among the wealthy
Signet rings with a prayer to God, like the silver ring from the Fine Arts Museum in Budapest (4th c), became ubiquitous among the wealthy
A poignant reminder of an eternal love
The lions represent a married couple, female (mirror and a comb); male (pruning knife and grapes) - symbols of Aphrodite and Dionysius
Under them is a Greek inscription, which once stood over a closed door, saying "The way is shut"
Fine Arts Museum, Budapest
The lions represent a married couple, female (mirror and a comb); male (pruning knife and grapes) - symbols of Aphrodite and Dionysius
Under them is a Greek inscription, which once stood over a closed door, saying "The way is shut"
Fine Arts Museum, Budapest
February 4, 2025 at 6:51 PM
A poignant reminder of an eternal love
The lions represent a married couple, female (mirror and a comb); male (pruning knife and grapes) - symbols of Aphrodite and Dionysius
Under them is a Greek inscription, which once stood over a closed door, saying "The way is shut"
Fine Arts Museum, Budapest
The lions represent a married couple, female (mirror and a comb); male (pruning knife and grapes) - symbols of Aphrodite and Dionysius
Under them is a Greek inscription, which once stood over a closed door, saying "The way is shut"
Fine Arts Museum, Budapest
The 2192-ton iron-hull giant, Milverton was not the largest of the sailing ships at the turn of the century.
Imagine seeing several of those iron colossi anchored in the port!
Imagine seeing several of those iron colossi anchored in the port!
January 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The 2192-ton iron-hull giant, Milverton was not the largest of the sailing ships at the turn of the century.
Imagine seeing several of those iron colossi anchored in the port!
Imagine seeing several of those iron colossi anchored in the port!
Imagine strolling down the street with a view like that to keep you amused.
Mind you, that guy out on the bowsprit gives a good idea of how big some of those ships were.
SS Milverton in Stewarts Dock, Manchester Road, Isle of Dogs,
And no, this is not AI-generated shlock - photo taken in 1919
Mind you, that guy out on the bowsprit gives a good idea of how big some of those ships were.
SS Milverton in Stewarts Dock, Manchester Road, Isle of Dogs,
And no, this is not AI-generated shlock - photo taken in 1919
January 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Imagine strolling down the street with a view like that to keep you amused.
Mind you, that guy out on the bowsprit gives a good idea of how big some of those ships were.
SS Milverton in Stewarts Dock, Manchester Road, Isle of Dogs,
And no, this is not AI-generated shlock - photo taken in 1919
Mind you, that guy out on the bowsprit gives a good idea of how big some of those ships were.
SS Milverton in Stewarts Dock, Manchester Road, Isle of Dogs,
And no, this is not AI-generated shlock - photo taken in 1919
The whole Pavilion was lavishly illustrated; Mucha's main aim, celebrating the rich history and cultural diversity of the soon-to-be-annexed region.
An annexation, which would eventually end with shots in Sarajevo and guns of August, plunging the world into a bloody war...
An annexation, which would eventually end with shots in Sarajevo and guns of August, plunging the world into a bloody war...
January 23, 2025 at 11:10 AM
The whole Pavilion was lavishly illustrated; Mucha's main aim, celebrating the rich history and cultural diversity of the soon-to-be-annexed region.
An annexation, which would eventually end with shots in Sarajevo and guns of August, plunging the world into a bloody war...
An annexation, which would eventually end with shots in Sarajevo and guns of August, plunging the world into a bloody war...
In 1900, Austro-Hungary opened the Bosnia Pavilion at the Paris World Fair.
Its chief designer was celebrated art-nouveau artist Alfonse Mucha, who painted a stunning mural depicting Bosnia as a beautiful enthroned woman surrounded by her diverse people
🔽
Its chief designer was celebrated art-nouveau artist Alfonse Mucha, who painted a stunning mural depicting Bosnia as a beautiful enthroned woman surrounded by her diverse people
🔽
January 23, 2025 at 11:09 AM
In 1900, Austro-Hungary opened the Bosnia Pavilion at the Paris World Fair.
Its chief designer was celebrated art-nouveau artist Alfonse Mucha, who painted a stunning mural depicting Bosnia as a beautiful enthroned woman surrounded by her diverse people
🔽
Its chief designer was celebrated art-nouveau artist Alfonse Mucha, who painted a stunning mural depicting Bosnia as a beautiful enthroned woman surrounded by her diverse people
🔽
#OTD in 532 AD, the Nika Riots, a protest against emperor Justinian's unpopular ministers and then a full-fledged rebellion, came to its bloody end, resulting in the death of 30,000 rioters.
With stability restored, Justinian could now focus on the reconquest of the West.
#byzantinebluesky
With stability restored, Justinian could now focus on the reconquest of the West.
#byzantinebluesky
January 18, 2025 at 12:40 PM
#OTD in 532 AD, the Nika Riots, a protest against emperor Justinian's unpopular ministers and then a full-fledged rebellion, came to its bloody end, resulting in the death of 30,000 rioters.
With stability restored, Justinian could now focus on the reconquest of the West.
#byzantinebluesky
With stability restored, Justinian could now focus on the reconquest of the West.
#byzantinebluesky
Veni, vidi, convedi, cubavi.
I came. I saw. I fit. I reclined.
I came. I saw. I fit. I reclined.
January 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Veni, vidi, convedi, cubavi.
I came. I saw. I fit. I reclined.
I came. I saw. I fit. I reclined.
Καλά Χριστούγεννα! С Рождеством Христовым! Христос се роди!
Today is Christmas according to the Julian calendar, which the Byzantines would have celebrated!
Nativity of Christ mosaic, Santa Maria Maggiore, 5th century (one of earliest depictions of Nativity)
Today is Christmas according to the Julian calendar, which the Byzantines would have celebrated!
Nativity of Christ mosaic, Santa Maria Maggiore, 5th century (one of earliest depictions of Nativity)
January 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Καλά Χριστούγεννα! С Рождеством Христовым! Христос се роди!
Today is Christmas according to the Julian calendar, which the Byzantines would have celebrated!
Nativity of Christ mosaic, Santa Maria Maggiore, 5th century (one of earliest depictions of Nativity)
Today is Christmas according to the Julian calendar, which the Byzantines would have celebrated!
Nativity of Christ mosaic, Santa Maria Maggiore, 5th century (one of earliest depictions of Nativity)
Happy Birthday, Professor,
You've woven a world so vibrant and imbued in wonder that we find ourselves irresistibly drawn back to its shores, yearning to lose ourselves once more in its magic and lore.
A part of Middle-earth shall forever reside within us.
You've woven a world so vibrant and imbued in wonder that we find ourselves irresistibly drawn back to its shores, yearning to lose ourselves once more in its magic and lore.
A part of Middle-earth shall forever reside within us.
January 3, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Happy Birthday, Professor,
You've woven a world so vibrant and imbued in wonder that we find ourselves irresistibly drawn back to its shores, yearning to lose ourselves once more in its magic and lore.
A part of Middle-earth shall forever reside within us.
You've woven a world so vibrant and imbued in wonder that we find ourselves irresistibly drawn back to its shores, yearning to lose ourselves once more in its magic and lore.
A part of Middle-earth shall forever reside within us.
For the start of 2025, a message from the ancient past, from the 4th century AD. New Year wishes written in Greek on a mosaic floor found in Halicarnassus (now Bodrum).
Health, Life, Joy, Peace, Good Cheer, Hope.
Wishes that transcend space and time.
Happy New Year!
Health, Life, Joy, Peace, Good Cheer, Hope.
Wishes that transcend space and time.
Happy New Year!
January 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
For the start of 2025, a message from the ancient past, from the 4th century AD. New Year wishes written in Greek on a mosaic floor found in Halicarnassus (now Bodrum).
Health, Life, Joy, Peace, Good Cheer, Hope.
Wishes that transcend space and time.
Happy New Year!
Health, Life, Joy, Peace, Good Cheer, Hope.
Wishes that transcend space and time.
Happy New Year!
Justinian was often portrayed as a warlord (thousands of objects celebrated the Reconquest of the West, especially the Vandal triumph).
However, we have no evidence that Justinian ever led an army himself or even bothered to visit his field armies.
However, we have no evidence that Justinian ever led an army himself or even bothered to visit his field armies.
December 31, 2024 at 10:33 AM
Justinian was often portrayed as a warlord (thousands of objects celebrated the Reconquest of the West, especially the Vandal triumph).
However, we have no evidence that Justinian ever led an army himself or even bothered to visit his field armies.
However, we have no evidence that Justinian ever led an army himself or even bothered to visit his field armies.
Justinian I, as a Triumphator (with a special triumphal crown decorated with peacock feathers), accompanied by the Imperial Spatharius, a member of the guard and a court dignitary in charge of carrying the Emperor's sword, and the Excubitor, the imperial bodyguard
December 31, 2024 at 10:28 AM
Justinian I, as a Triumphator (with a special triumphal crown decorated with peacock feathers), accompanied by the Imperial Spatharius, a member of the guard and a court dignitary in charge of carrying the Emperor's sword, and the Excubitor, the imperial bodyguard
Made by local artisans from Constantinople, the exquisite ivory carvings reflected the Empire's wealth and influence and the expertise of the Byzantine masters.
The miniature panel is only 116 millimeters long, 111 mm wide, and has a depth of only 10 millimeters!
The miniature panel is only 116 millimeters long, 111 mm wide, and has a depth of only 10 millimeters!
December 29, 2024 at 6:25 PM
Made by local artisans from Constantinople, the exquisite ivory carvings reflected the Empire's wealth and influence and the expertise of the Byzantine masters.
The miniature panel is only 116 millimeters long, 111 mm wide, and has a depth of only 10 millimeters!
The miniature panel is only 116 millimeters long, 111 mm wide, and has a depth of only 10 millimeters!
It could be just me, but ivory miniatures are some of the most beautiful art ever made.
Like this lovely Byzantine ivory carving depicting the scene of the Nativity
Ca. 10th or 11th century, the time when the medieval Roman Empire was at its apex.
Now, in the Vatican Museums
Like this lovely Byzantine ivory carving depicting the scene of the Nativity
Ca. 10th or 11th century, the time when the medieval Roman Empire was at its apex.
Now, in the Vatican Museums
December 29, 2024 at 6:24 PM
It could be just me, but ivory miniatures are some of the most beautiful art ever made.
Like this lovely Byzantine ivory carving depicting the scene of the Nativity
Ca. 10th or 11th century, the time when the medieval Roman Empire was at its apex.
Now, in the Vatican Museums
Like this lovely Byzantine ivory carving depicting the scene of the Nativity
Ca. 10th or 11th century, the time when the medieval Roman Empire was at its apex.
Now, in the Vatican Museums
And here is the law from the Theodosian Code (not mentioning Christmas)
CTh.2.8.19
CTh.2.8.19
December 26, 2024 at 5:05 PM
And here is the law from the Theodosian Code (not mentioning Christmas)
CTh.2.8.19
CTh.2.8.19
Code of Justinian, issued in 534, updates a law from Codex Theodosianus, 3.12.6
"3. We add to these the natal days of the great cities of Rome and Constantinople...We also add the holy pascal days...also the natal day of Christ...and these holy days shall not be open to shows."
"3. We add to these the natal days of the great cities of Rome and Constantinople...We also add the holy pascal days...also the natal day of Christ...and these holy days shall not be open to shows."
December 26, 2024 at 5:05 PM
Code of Justinian, issued in 534, updates a law from Codex Theodosianus, 3.12.6
"3. We add to these the natal days of the great cities of Rome and Constantinople...We also add the holy pascal days...also the natal day of Christ...and these holy days shall not be open to shows."
"3. We add to these the natal days of the great cities of Rome and Constantinople...We also add the holy pascal days...also the natal day of Christ...and these holy days shall not be open to shows."
Did you know that emperor Justinian made #Christmas a civic holiday rather than a church festival?
Now you know :) 🔽
Now you know :) 🔽
December 26, 2024 at 5:05 PM
Did you know that emperor Justinian made #Christmas a civic holiday rather than a church festival?
Now you know :) 🔽
Now you know :) 🔽
In 274 AD, Emperor Aurelian declared the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, or the birthday of Sol Invictus, the “Invincible Sun” - the chief god of the Roman Empire. The new festival celebrated the sun’s rebirth and symbolized hope and renewal.
The day Aurelian chose was December 25.
The day Aurelian chose was December 25.
December 24, 2024 at 6:36 PM
In 274 AD, Emperor Aurelian declared the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, or the birthday of Sol Invictus, the “Invincible Sun” - the chief god of the Roman Empire. The new festival celebrated the sun’s rebirth and symbolized hope and renewal.
The day Aurelian chose was December 25.
The day Aurelian chose was December 25.
Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honor of the god Saturn, lasted seven days, from 17 December to 23 December.
A public banquet was followed by private gift-giving, nonstop partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned all Roman social norms.
IO SATURNALIA!
🖼️Fran Guil
A public banquet was followed by private gift-giving, nonstop partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned all Roman social norms.
IO SATURNALIA!
🖼️Fran Guil
December 23, 2024 at 10:09 AM
Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honor of the god Saturn, lasted seven days, from 17 December to 23 December.
A public banquet was followed by private gift-giving, nonstop partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned all Roman social norms.
IO SATURNALIA!
🖼️Fran Guil
A public banquet was followed by private gift-giving, nonstop partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned all Roman social norms.
IO SATURNALIA!
🖼️Fran Guil