GREECE - Helm History

Constantine Porphyrogenitus and the early Serbian presence in the Balkans

In his work De administrando imperio, Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus describes the Serbs. According to his statements, Serbs are descended from the so-called White Serbs, settled on the other side of Turkey (Hungary). Serbs call that country Bojki/Boiki. According to some historians, it is Bohemia, the Czech Republic, but these claims are not reliable. But how […]

Constantine Porphyrogenitus and the early Serbian presence in the Balkans Read More »

Liutprand of Cremona’s Byzantine Diplomacy

MEDIEVAL

Liutprand of Cremona was a Lombard diplomat born in the early 10th century into a noble Lombard family. As a young man, he distinguished himself at the court of the ruler Hugo of Arles (926-945) with his knowledge and diction. He received his education at the court in Pavia, and later became a deacon of

Liutprand of Cremona’s Byzantine Diplomacy Read More »

Byzantium to the world: The Influence of Byzantine Education

MEDIEVAL

Byzantium, also known as The Byzantine Empire was the heir of ancient Greece in terms of education and culture. The only significant difference was religion, which partially changed and influenced education. The first level of education started at the age of 6-7. Children learned to write and read, to count and to sing. The basic

Byzantium to the world: The Influence of Byzantine Education Read More »

Celts in The Heart of Balkan: Exploring the Gallic Invasion

ANTIQUITY

The Celts were part of the Indo-European group of people. Their tribes and groups ranged from the British Isles and northern Spain to as far east as Transylvania, the Black Sea coasts, Anatolia and were partly absorbed into the Roman Empire as Britons, Gauls, Boii, Galatians, and Celtiberians. Linguistically they survive in the modern day Ireland, Highland Scotland, the Isle of Man, Wales, and Brittany. FIRST CELTS IN THE BALKANS In

Celts in The Heart of Balkan: Exploring the Gallic Invasion Read More »

Constantinople: Building the New Rome On The Bosphorus

MEDIEVAL

At the beginning of the 4th century, Roman Empire found itself in a very critical situation. The empire had four emperors in the year 311. This system showed its weakness very quickly and the empire was suddenly in the middle of the civil war. Constantine, who would later be known as Constantine the Great, emerged

Constantinople: Building the New Rome On The Bosphorus Read More »

The Influence of Hellenism on the Romans

ANTIQUITY

As Rome expanded, encountering diverse customs and cultures became inevitable. During the state’s expansion, a significant encounter was with Hellenistic culture, which held dominance in the Mediterranean. The influence of Hellenism on the Romans initiated when Roman forces occupied Greek cities. Greek-educated individuals, taken as slaves and brought into Roman households as teachers for Roman

The Influence of Hellenism on the Romans Read More »

LANGUAGES OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

MEDIEVAL

The Byzantine Empire’s language dynamics reflect diverse social phenomena. Byzantium witnessed a diverse population, significant movements, and fluctuations in numbers. The absorption of foreign populations into the Empire, compared to its assimilation power, was notable. In the early Byzantine era, Greek prevailed in the eastern part. From the 2nd century BC, Latin influences varied, dominating

LANGUAGES OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE Read More »

SLAVIC-AVAR SIEGE OF CONSTANTINOPOLE

MEDIEVAL

The first half of the 7th century was a very difficult period for Byzantine Empire. Many Germanic tribes threatened the Byzantine possessions in the West, and the Persians did the same in the East, while the Avars in the Balkans subjugated a good part of the Slavic tribes and attacked together. Byzantines tried to buy

SLAVIC-AVAR SIEGE OF CONSTANTINOPOLE Read More »

SLAVIC SIEGE OF THESSALONIKI (THIRD PART)

MEDIEVAL

Despite the fact that Thessaloniki proved to be impregnable for the Slavs more than once, Slavs did not give up their intentions. The next story brought to us by the Miracles of St. Demetrius relates to the fate of Prince Prvud (Predab) and the new attack of the Slavs on the city. Prince Prvud, the

SLAVIC SIEGE OF THESSALONIKI (THIRD PART) Read More »

SLAVIC SIEGES OF THESSALONIKI (SECOND PART)

MEDIEVAL

The miracles of Saint Demetrius bring us additional information about the critical position of the city of Thessaloniki, which was surrounded by Slavic tribes. This time we bring an episode about the Slavic siege of Thessaloniki under the leadership of Hacon/Haton in 614-616. It is said that during the time of Bishop John, the Slavs

SLAVIC SIEGES OF THESSALONIKI (SECOND PART) Read More »