iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Feeling Byzanto-curious going into the new year? Have a friend or family member straying onto the Byzantine path? I’m offering 15% off all paid subscriptions on the Empress of Byzantium Substack until Jan 2nd! Merry Byzantzmas to one and all 🎁🎄👸🏼!! empressofbyzantium.substack.com/subscribe?fb...

empressofbyzantium.substack.com

Subscribe to The Empress of Byzantium

Making Byzantium Great Again. Click to read The Empress of Byzantium, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

WOW!! Honoured! Thank you to all the Theodora stans out there

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Absolutely thrilled that the panel I’ve organised for #LeedsIMC2026 has been accepted! Our panel focuses on agents of memory & memory as agent between #LateAntiquity and #Byzantium. Myself & my colleagues are so ready to meet everyone & listen to some incredible papers. #LeedsIMC #historian

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Oxford University Byzantine Society @oxunibyzantinesoc.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

28th OUBS INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE CONFERENCE - Call for Papers Decline and Flourish: new Paradigms of Decline and Renewal in Late Antiquity and Byzantium. Find the full CfP here! oxfordbyzantinesociety.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/2... Submit your abstracts by Nov 29th - we can't wait to see them. 🦅

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Just 6 days left to apply to the 28th OUBS Graduate Conference! Full CfP is on the OUBS website!! Get those abstracts in!! #byzantium #byzantinestudies #oxford #graduatestudent #cfp #callforpapers #abstracts

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ClassicalAntiquitySidequest @antiquitypod.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Reading @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social's recent post about Theodora convinced me I need to read The Secret History.

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Wonderful but rainy trip up to Norwich to present at the #ChaseMEMRN 2025 Winter Conference. Fantastic panels & brilliantly pulled off by the organising team. Can’t wait for next year’s, when I’ll make sure it’s less of a whistle stop journey. #byzantinehistory #academic #academia

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

The OUBS has already received some great submissions… keep sending them in! Until November 29th!! Graduate students at all stages of study & independent scholars are welcome to send in their abstracts! 🫵🏼🫵🏼

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Please sign & share widely! The #UniversityofOttawa has abruptly cut admissions for its #Greek & #Roman studies programme. This will end teaching of #Greek & #Latin at the university, with no consultation with staff, students, or the community impacted. www.change.org/p/save-greek...

change.org

Sign the Petition

Save Greek and Latin at the University of Ottawa!

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Happy Byzantoween!!! I posted about some spoooooky & *phrike* Late Antique & Byzantine stuff over on Substack… check it out — if you dare! empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/getting-ph...

empressofbyzantium.substack.com

Getting φρίκη (phrikē)

Some spoooooky Late Antique & Byzantine finds

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Calling all Late Antiquist Byzantinist or interdisciplinary friends! All graduate students are welcome to submit an abstract for the OUBS’ 2026 conference: DECLINE AND FLOURISH. I’m SO excited to be organising this. Please share widely! Cannot wait to read submissions. ❤️❤️

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

As ever Ben is being the coolest & nicest. If you’re not listening to his pod yet you’re probably (definitely) missing out.

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Oxford University Byzantine Society @oxunibyzantinesoc.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

OUBS Member Dr. Chloé Agar has recently been involved in 2 great digital humanities projects: creating an archive of Egyptian graffiti and contributing to the Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity database. Have a gander below! portal.sds.ox.ac.uk/Graffiti_Gaz... csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?r...

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ClassicalAntiquitySidequest @antiquitypod.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Caught up on Empress of Byzantium's articles this morning. @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Very appropriate word of the day from the TLG: συγχωνεύω / “to melt down.” Not inspired by any current events, I’m sure!

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Finally got my hands on this beauty! @rhigarthjones.bsky.social Going to be binge read on my holiday & I can’t waiiit 😇😇😇 #romanhistory #classics

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Realised I forgot to share my latest #substack piece! It’s on the reflections & refractions of 312 AD, and it’s my favourite #ByzantiumforBeginners that I’ve written yet! Hope you enjoy!! #history #byzantium #historian #byzantinehistory #constantine open.substack.com/pub/empresso...

open.substack.com

Byzantium for Beginners V: By this sign, conquer.

312 AD, Reflected and Refracted.

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ClassicalAntiquitySidequest @antiquitypod.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Next week is vacation! Time to catch up on two Substacks!!! @mduperouzel.bsky.social @sarahebond.bsky.social

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

I was recently elected Oxford University Byzantine Society President for 2025/26! If you’re interested in keeping up w/ our activities, as well as being the first to know when we release our Grad Conference CfP, you can now follow us on Bluesky: @oxunibyzantinesoc.bsky.social

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

I have returned from my posting hiatus! And I’ve got a new #substack out, about #arthistory — specifically the Muqarnas ceiling @ the Cappella Palatina!! 💥💥💥 Hope you enjoy! #byzantinehistory #medievalhistory #historian #italianhistory empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/iconophili...

empressofbyzantium.substack.com

Iconophilia I: The Cappella Palatina Muqarnas Ceiling

The first time I've not minded being on ceiling duty.

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

#ByzantiumforBeginners IV is up! It’s the abt the chaotic (ignominious?) end of the #Tetrarchy 🫨 Also, I have a Ko-Fi page now, for small+1-off tips to support my work! 🫶🏼☕️ link in the piece! #byzantium #history #historian #byzantinehistory #substack empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...

empressofbyzantium.substack.com

Byzantium for Beginners IV: Crises, Caesars, Christians... and Cabbages?

Part 3: c.305-311/12

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Ah!!!! I can’t believe it’s finally here! This was such a great conversation abt my queen #Theodora & Ben is a wonderful host. As he mentions, there are adult themes (TW for mentions of CSA). Check it out & make sure to listen to Ben’s whole podcast! He’s doing great work. 🫡. Ty Ben for having me!

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

🚨🚨 Emergency #substack on the OG namesake of the new Pope! 🚨🚨 Returned to my undergrad thesis to talk about Leo I, one of the greatest popes of all (Chalcedo or Chalcedon’t you agree?!) Minor correction in comments🤨 #conclave #historian #byzantium empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/the-pope-f...

empressofbyzantium.substack.com

The Pope Files: Leo I

Yes, I rushed to get this done as soon as the Papal name was announced!

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Emma Southon @emmasouthon.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Do we think this is the first pope to have eaten a deep dish Chicago style pizza

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

My latest #byzantiumforbeginners #Substack is out! Covering the socio-economic and legislative impacts of the #Tetrarchy (and a lil great persecution controversy too…) check it out for a (hopefully) fun read! #byzantium #byzantinehistory empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...

empressofbyzantium.substack.com

Byzantium for Beginners III: Crises, Caesars, Christians... and Cabbages?

Part II: c.300-305

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

First day at Villa Romana del Casale yesterday!! Back again today to see more #mosaics. Absolutely floored by the quality and extent of preservation!! 🥹 #arthistory #mosaicmonday #romanmosaics #byzantineart #historian

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Soo pleased to say that I passed my Transfer of Status & I’m now allowed to call myself a #doctoralstudent! 😎 celebrating by having a nap & packing for my 5-day Sicilian road trip adventure… can’t wait to see the Piazza Armerina #mosaics for real! #historian #phdstudent #romanmosaics #arthistory

Image credits/ ©️Brad Hostetler licensed to share under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Plans to go to the library scuppered by the weather app claiming UV6 & 24 degrees… In other news, I have my transfer of status this Friday & prep for that, as well as my other writing, is all-consuming! But next week, #Sicily! #Oxfordstudent #byzantium #classics #booksky #historian #historybluesky

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

In just over 2 weeks I’ll be in #Sicily!! Other than the Piazza Armerina mosaics I am most excited for the #CappellaPalatina. Cannot wait to learn more about Sicily in #LateAntiquity & the #MiddleAges 💛⭐️ ©️ Liilia Moroz under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-... #arthistory #byzantium #historian

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Prof Michael Meredith 🌊🧪🥼❄️ @oceanandice.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

New book!! 📕 Antarctica is intimately connected to the rest of our planet, affecting climate, ecosystems, cultures and society. Our new book draws together international experts to explore this influence, and to understand what humans are doing to Antarctica (1/n) www.routledge.com/Antarctica-a...

Cover of book "Antarctica and the Earth System"

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Toby Buckle @polphilpod.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

My latest for @liberalcurrents.com We need to stop listening to commentators who spent a decade being arrogantly wrong about the fascist threat www.liberalcurrents.com/trump-alarmi...

liberalcurrents.com

Trump ‘Alarmists’ Were Right. We Should Say So.

Commentators who got it wrong wouldn’t listen, won’t learn, and can’t lead.

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

It’s here! The first piece in my #ByzantiumforBeginners series, covering #Diocletian and the #Tetrarchy from 284-c.300. Rly tried to condense this, but still have a way to go b4 I’m a good self-editor! Hope u enjoy regardless! #history #byzantium empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...

empressofbyzantium.substack.com

Byzantium for Beginners II: Crises, Caesars, Christians... and Cabbages?

Part 1: Crises and Caesars, c.284 - c.300

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Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

Pope Francis’s "Urbi et Orbi" Easter speech: “How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants...I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others.”

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Easter Day 2 (Easter Saturday?) & my Easter-y #Byzantine #artwork is the #mosaic from Sant’Apollinaire in Classe. I’m obsessed w the goofy sheep. I adore sheep, so much so that I’ve not had lamb since I was 7! Pls consider donating to a sheep & lamb sanctuary this Easter, loads in the UK! 🫶🏼🐑

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Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

The amazing Roman pharos (lighthouse) at Dover, still standing after almost 2,000 years! The tallest surviving Roman structure in Britain and one of only three surviving lighthouses from the former Roman Empire. 1st-2nd century AD. 📷 by me #RomanSiteSaturday #Archaeology

My photo shows the ruins of an eight-sided Roman brick lighthouse with four stepped levels. There is a doorway at ground level and narrow rectangular window openings above on the upper three levels. It stands 15.8 m high and is 12.2 metres wide at the base. Roman fabric survives to a height of 12.5 m. The brickwork of the uppermost level was reconstructed for use as a church bell tower, for the adjacent Anglo-Saxon church of St Mary in Castro of which a small portion can be seen in my photo. The Pharos is dated 1st century - early 2nd century AD and is one of a pair originally built on the headland flanking each side of the Roman port of Dubris (Dover). It now stands within the grounds of Dover Castle.

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The PS1 startup sound as a lesbian @janus.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

we made a critical error allowing reactionaries to make-up concepts like “biological sex” and frame them as non-ideological when it’s the exact opposite: people who undergo HRT *are literally changing their biological sex.* this is not some philosophical distinction, it is actual biological reality.

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Naomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

The Long Arc of Fascism teach-in starts tonight and our website is now live! Stay tuned for videos, photos and reports: www.longarcoffascism.ca

longarcoffascism.ca

The Long Arc of Fascism

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NY Times Pitchbot @nytpitchbot.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Many are comparing contemporary America to 1930s Germany and 2nd century Rome, but there's a better historical analogy: 1970s Jonestown.

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American Historical Association @historians.org · 17/04/2025

The AHA is compiling resources developed by historians in response to recent actions by the federal governments. We welcome submissions from our members about op-eds, media appearances, or other resources they've contributed offering historical context and insight to the public. 🗃️

historians.org

Historians Respond to Federal Actions - AHA

AHA members are providing important historical context and insight to the public on the recent actions by the federal government.

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Lizzie Poste @lizzieposte.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

It’s so telling that JK’s celebration is her, alone in her wealth, boasting about her ‘mission’. Not even pretending it was about protecting women anymore. It’s just her and a bunch of truly hateful fringe lunatics having hunted a group of people for sport, which is what the abhorrently rich do

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

And if it isn’t him you’re wrong

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

It’s Good Friday! Fun to be an #Easter lover & #Byzantinist this year, bc it’s a Catholic/Protestant x Orthodox collab! To celebrate I’ll post an Easter themed #artwork a day, starting w/ this 6thc Paschal Calendar, showing the dates from 532-626 AD. 📍Ravenna, Italy. #byzantinehistory #historian

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Sardonicus @sardonicus.eu · 18/04/2025

Jenny Holzer, The Beginning of the War will be Secret

The Beginning of the War will be Secret written on a building

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Madeleine @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Stuff is sad&bad rn, but my dad sent me photos of these votive crowns from 7thc #Spain & they’ve gotten me over some severe writer’s block that has been impacting my #novel progress, so I’m trying to focus on small wins. Humanity makes beautiful things & deserves more than this current moment.

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Johanna Saunders @johannasaunders.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

I will never understand how a group of bigoted women go all out to destroy the rights of a tiny, marginalised group of predominantly harmless women instead of using their centuries of built up rage to actively destroy the patriarchy and the actual men who do us real harm.

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Greg Jenner (Historian) @gregjenner.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

I’m finding the news so desperately bleak and upsetting — it feels like so many of the promises made to us about democracy, technology, justice, and economy are souring into a proto-dystopia

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