Comments for Neo Byzantium http://neobyzantium.com The Guide to the Byzantine Empire for General Readers Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:19:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Comment on Medieval Total War Review by Empire: Total War http://neobyzantium.com/medieval-total-war-review/comment-page-1/#comment-10739 Empire: Total War Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:19:40 +0000 http://neobyzantium.com/?p=991#comment-10739 It takes some time to develop an army and stuff but at the end you can enjoy a premium medieval fight. It takes some time to develop an army and stuff but at the end you can enjoy a premium medieval fight.

]]> Comment on Battles Where Greek Fire Made a Difference by Mike Capsilis http://neobyzantium.com/battles-where-greek-fire-made-a-difference/comment-page-1/#comment-10658 Mike Capsilis Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:47:37 +0000 http://neobyzantium.com/?p=1279#comment-10658 Do you know of any Arab sources that mention Greek fire? I'd like to know what their reaction was to it. Do you know of any Arab sources that mention Greek fire? I’d like to know what their reaction was to it.

]]> Comment on The Mixed Legacy of Procopius by Yorgos http://neobyzantium.com/the-mixed-legacy-of-procopius/comment-page-1/#comment-10323 Yorgos Sun, 19 Feb 2012 10:14:33 +0000 http://neobyzantium.com/?p=1239#comment-10323 PS wanted to add: the reason I say 'Also I don’t buy that Procopius was a ‘christian’ ' --is because quite a few scholars bend over backwards to claim he was in order to avoid saying he was a disgruntled pagan 'going through the motions', since that would cast further doubt on his honesty (not because pagans weren't honest but because it would show him specifically as even more of a hypocrite). Many historians focus too much on the source text and ignore the cultural reality of what it meant to be religious in the 6th century. To make arrangements to have such a work published after ones death, when ones soul is being judged by God instantly shows he did not take his 'Christianity' seriously at all (and this is early byzantine Orthodox Christianity not 'jesus is your buddy' modern feel-good faith!) It was serious business for your eternal soul. PS wanted to add: the reason I say ‘Also I don’t buy that Procopius was a ‘christian’ ‘ –is because quite a few scholars bend over backwards to claim he was in order to avoid saying he was a disgruntled pagan ‘going through the motions’, since that would cast further doubt on his honesty (not because pagans weren’t honest but because it would show him specifically as even more of a hypocrite). Many historians focus too much on the source text and ignore the cultural reality of what it meant to be religious in the 6th century. To make arrangements to have such a work published after ones death, when ones soul is being judged by God instantly shows he did not take his ‘Christianity’ seriously at all (and this is early byzantine Orthodox Christianity not ‘jesus is your buddy’ modern feel-good faith!) It was serious business for your eternal soul.

]]> Comment on The Mixed Legacy of Procopius by Yorgos http://neobyzantium.com/the-mixed-legacy-of-procopius/comment-page-1/#comment-10322 Yorgos Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:52:37 +0000 http://neobyzantium.com/?p=1239#comment-10322 Bravo! Excellent post! I've studied Procopius for a long time and have always been amazed at how some scholars are afraid to criticize him as you have done. I believe its because there are few other writings from that time period covering the same events other than Procopius and they don't want to 'poison the well' . but the truth was exactly as you say it: Procopius was a mean spirited, crooked hypocrite. To be so close to the Emperor and then sneak off and write this to have it published after his death is to me the height of cowardice. Plus he dismisses Justinian's achievements in writing the famous and important law code for the people (no small feat! --it still has an effect on common law courts today) --a thing Justinian did not have to do since as Emperor he could have simply avoided such tedious work and could have simply lived as an ancient roman dictator if he wanted to (even in the midst of a Christian Roman empire--julian the apostate did that after all). Also I don't buy that Procopius was a 'christian' --I think he was like Julian, a man of his times who understood it was 'in' to be 'christian'. If he lived today would be a secular humanist or whatever allowed him to be considered 'ok'. Publishing a book of hatred against your old employer AFTER his death breaks so many common Orthodox and biblical rules its laughable--no serious religious person of that time would think of doing that. In those days people would fast and repent furiously when they saw that death was approaching and Orthodox history is filled with examples of pilgrims spending their last days praying. To PLAN on publishing an angry manual against the king and have it published after his death is the scheme of a wretched and unrepentant soul. I know you wrote this post a while ago but I stumbled across it tonight and wanted tell you I enjoyed it. thank you for writing it. you have a great website. Bravo! Excellent post!
I’ve studied Procopius for a long time and have always been amazed at how some scholars are afraid to criticize him as you have done. I believe its because there are few other writings from that time period covering the same events other than Procopius and they don’t want to ‘poison the well’ . but the truth was exactly as you say it: Procopius was a mean spirited, crooked hypocrite. To be so close to the Emperor and then sneak off and write this to have it published after his death is to me the height of cowardice. Plus he dismisses Justinian’s achievements in writing the famous and important law code for the people (no small feat! –it still has an effect on common law courts today) –a thing Justinian did not have to do since as Emperor he could have simply avoided such tedious work and could have simply lived as an ancient roman dictator if he wanted to (even in the midst of a Christian Roman empire–julian the apostate did that after all). Also I don’t buy that Procopius was a ‘christian’ –I think he was like Julian, a man of his times who understood it was ‘in’ to be ‘christian’. If he lived today would be a secular humanist or whatever allowed him to be considered ‘ok’. Publishing a book of hatred against your old employer AFTER his death breaks so many common Orthodox and biblical rules its laughable–no serious religious person of that time would think of doing that. In those days people would fast and repent furiously when they saw that death was approaching and Orthodox history is filled with examples of pilgrims spending their last days praying. To PLAN on publishing an angry manual against the king and have it published after his death is the scheme of a wretched and unrepentant soul.

I know you wrote this post a while ago but I stumbled across it tonight and wanted tell you I enjoyed it. thank you for writing it. you have a great website.

]]> Comment on How Crusader Kings brings history to life by The Vizier http://neobyzantium.com/how-crusader-kings-brings-history-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-9247 The Vizier Mon, 04 Jul 2011 03:37:04 +0000 http://neobyzantium.com/?p=854#comment-9247 Glad you like it. I am eagerly awaiting Crusader Kings 2 next year. In the meantime, Sengoku which is coming out soon will just have to do. :) Glad you like it. I am eagerly awaiting Crusader Kings 2 next year. In the meantime, Sengoku which is coming out soon will just have to do. :)

]]> Comment on How Crusader Kings brings history to life by KageToraUK http://neobyzantium.com/how-crusader-kings-brings-history-to-life/comment-page-1/#comment-9132 KageToraUK Wed, 25 May 2011 01:26:13 +0000 http://neobyzantium.com/?p=854#comment-9132 Nicely written! Very informative! Paradox Interactive have just given this game (and its expansion 'Deus Vult') to Forum members for free, so I got it today. Not having a proper tutorial in the game, and no manual with it, it was pretty hard to know what was going on at first. If you haven't played similar titles like Europa Universalis, Victoria, Hearts of Iron, etc., then it's ... well, not easy to pick up. Your post has helped me a bit, though - cheers! Nicely written! Very informative!

Paradox Interactive have just given this game (and its expansion ‘Deus Vult’) to Forum members for free, so I got it today. Not having a proper tutorial in the game, and no manual with it, it was pretty hard to know what was going on at first. If you haven’t played similar titles like Europa Universalis, Victoria, Hearts of Iron, etc., then it’s … well, not easy to pick up. Your post has helped me a bit, though – cheers!

]]> Comment on Constantine the Great: How his early years shaped his development by The Vizier http://neobyzantium.com/constantine-the-great-how-his-early-years-shaped-his-development/comment-page-1/#comment-5131 The Vizier Wed, 13 Oct 2010 11:01:49 +0000 http://neobyzantium.com/?p=661#comment-5131 Thanks for your comments Marko. Nice of your to drop by. Ah I envy you for coming from Nis, a place with so much history and background to it. It must be lovely. :) Thanks for your comments Marko.

Nice of your to drop by. Ah I envy you for coming from Nis, a place with so much history and background to it. It must be lovely. :)

]]> Comment on Constantine the Great: How his early years shaped his development by Marko -- Calm Growth http://neobyzantium.com/constantine-the-great-how-his-early-years-shaped-his-development/comment-page-1/#comment-5008 Marko -- Calm Growth Mon, 11 Oct 2010 21:10:39 +0000 http://neobyzantium.com/?p=661#comment-5008 A great blog Vizier, I've enjoyed this post, I like your conclusion. Life was tough then, and I think that many people had no choice but to get the best they can from each situation... I'm from Nis (Naissus) :) A great blog Vizier, I’ve enjoyed this post, I like your conclusion. Life was tough then, and I think that many people had no choice but to get the best they can from each situation…

I’m from Nis (Naissus) :)

]]> Comment on Mount and Blade Review by Luke http://neobyzantium.com/mount-and-blade-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3437 Luke Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:34:50 +0000 http://neobyzantium.com/?p=929#comment-3437 awsome blog this one deserves a recomendation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It was a pleasure to read !!!!!!!!!!!! awsome blog this one deserves a recomendation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It was a pleasure to read !!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> Comment on Mount and Blade Review by Larry Jay http://neobyzantium.com/mount-and-blade-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3208 Larry Jay Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:47:11 +0000 http://neobyzantium.com/?p=929#comment-3208 Thanks for the great post,keep write in your site. Bookmarked(: Thanks for the great post,keep write in your site.
Bookmarked(:

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