“An obol for Belisarius!” became a catchphase for the shabby treatment governments meted out to their ex-soldiers. But what was the origin of the legend?   More »

During the Russo-Turkish war, the Russian invasion seemed to be a triumphant march clear to Constantinople. Until, that is, they reached the town of Plevna.   More »

In AD 678, outside the storied walls of Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire unleashed its new secret war weapon upon the invading Saracen fleet: Greek Fire.   More »

The Byzantine Empire, successor to ancient Rome, lasted over a thousand years. This was no thanks to Persia, Byzantium’s first major enemy and major rival.   More »