DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A "CHRISTIAN CHANT." Some person somewhere decided to share this on TikTok, passing it off as an ancient Christian chant, and now I'm continuously receiving comments from people criticising how this song "fails at being related to Christianity." It doesn't fail at that because that was never the point. The info is all down there in the description. This is a ballad I wrote in the style of Greek folk music about an Eastern Roman political figure, not a historical Christian chant as some people who don't read descriptions decided to pass this off as all over Tiktok. So if all the TikTok folks could calm down with the "what does this have to do with Christianity," comments, it would be appreciated for everyone else trying to enjoy the discussions related to the *actual subject matter of this song* kk thx for reading love you byee ❤ NOTE: The phrase "cum sanguis Sassanidarum" is incorrect, it should be sanguine Sassanidarum," my mistake. Music by Farya Faraji and Dimitris Athanasopoulos of the One Man's Noise channel who beautifully performed the tsambouna and mantura in the instrumentation of this piece. Many thanks to Luke Ranieri of the polýMATHY channel for helping transform my grammatically incoherent lyrics into something functional (although I still did some mistakes in the grammar in the end). Please note that this isn't reconstructed historical music, it's entirely modern music with a historical theme. Also note that the lyrics use Classical Latin Pronunciation, which has nothing to do with the historical context of Belisarius, at which point the many diverging dialects of Latin had changed immensely from the Classical Latin period; my usage of it is only pragmatic as it's the one pronunciation I'm used to, and one could make a thematic interpretation of it representing the dream of a restored Roman empire of the glory days, which correspond with Classical Latin's period. I wanted to write a ballad-like piece about Flavius Belisarius, an Eastern Roman general who would be Justinian the Great's greatest servant in the Renovatio Imperii of the 6th century, the project that would see the reconquest and retaking of much of the lands previously controlled by the Roman Empire of Antiquity. Each of the verses refers to one of the main campaigns of Belisarius' career, first his war against Gelimer and the Vandals in North Africa, then his wars in Italy against the Goths, his battles against Khosrow Anushirvan (immortal soul) in the Lazic Wars, his further battles in Italy where he implored Totila to spare the city of Rome in a moving letter, in the chance that Totila were to win, and his final service post-retirement against the Kutrigurs in the Balkans. The instrumentation is mainly based on a tsambouna, a Greek bagpipe very frequently played in the islands like the Cyclades and especially Crete, and a mantoura, a remnant of the Ancient Greek aulos, both expertly played by my collaborator Dimitris Athanasopoulos of the channel One Man's Noise, who perfectly took my basic melody and breathed into it the authentic rhythms and ornaments of Greek music, which contains echoes of older music of Belisarius' age, where the bagpipe was frequently used by the Eastern Romans. A mainland Laouto provides the backing chords, and a davul drum and darbuka provide the percussions as is typically the case in traditional Greek music. A low vocal hum supports the melody, inspired by the Ison of Byzantine Chant practice. The point of this was essentially to mix Latin lyrics with Byzantine Chant and a traditional Greek sound centred on the Cycladic-Cretan island sound. Lyrics in Latin: Gladius Rōmae imperī sum, Ubi’st nostrum imperium? Nē plōrā, mater Rōma, Dēnuō flōrēbis, Cīvis Romānus sum, Sed sine imperiō sum, Sanguine barbarōrum, Renāta erit Rōma! Arēnae Āfricānae, Cum sanguis Vandalōrum rubrae factae sunt, Plōrā Gelimer, Rēx sine rēgnō, Gladius Rōmae sum, Belisārius! Hortī Ītaliae lacrimīs Gothicīs fertilēs factī sunt, Plōrāte, Gothicī, barbarī, Gladius Rōmae sum, Belisārius! Montēs, Lazicae, Cum sanguis Sassanidārum, rubrī factae sunt! Vāde, Chosroē, mortālis anime! Gladius Rōmae sum, Belisārius! Urbī ferro flammāque minatus est, Mementō, Totila, Rōmam antīquam esse, Sī rēx bonus es tū, nē nēlē rēgīnam nostram, Gladius Rōmae sum, Belisārius! Glaciēs Dānuviī sanguine Hunnōrum, rubrae factae sunt, Vāde, Zabergan, Attila nōn es tū, Gladius Rōmae sum, Belisārius! English translation: I am Rome's sword. Where is our empire? Weep not, mother Rome, again shall you prosper. A citizen of Rome I am, yet without an empire I am, In barbarians' blood shall Rome be reborn! The sands of Africa, with Vandals' blood, are turned red! Weep Gelimer, king without a kingdom, I am the sword of Rome, Belisarius! The gardens of Italy, with Goth's tears, are made fertile, Weep Goths, barbarians, I am the sword of Rome, Belisarius! The mountains of Lazica, with Sassanians' blood are turned red, Away, Khosrow, you mortal soul! I am the sword of Rome, Belisarius! The city is threatened with fire and sword, Remember Totila, how Rome is ancient, If you are a true king, destroy not our queen. The ices of the Danube, with Huns' blood, are turned red, Away, Zabergan, you are no Attila, I am the sword of Rome, Belisarius!

"i am a citizen of rome, yet without an empire i am" Real.

"Gothic tears made the gardens of Italy fertile" And with these words was greek fire created !

Fun fact: This was the Byzantine song for Eurovision 543

I wonder how Belisarius feels knowing that songs of his deeds are being sung over a thousand years after his death

My children love this. My five year-old extracted a promise for me to tell him who Belisarius was tomorrow, because I told him it's a long story and that he was one of Rome's greatest generals. They then wanted to hear your Psalm 135 again.

Hearing the Latin language combined with Balkan instruments is pure bliss to the soul, respect from Albania!

18 years old Japanese Christian, Peace be with you and God bless you all ❤🙏✝️

Greetings from Türkiye, the great Belisarius, who expelled the Ostrogoths from Italy and the Vandals from North Africa

I'm not crying, I just got Belisarium in my eye

I remember this being in the hitlist for 30 years from 570 to 600! Good times

My addiction with ancient Roman songs concerns me at this point

I am a Coptic Orthodox Christian from Egypt. Greetings to brothers and sisters, Long live the Christian and Orthodox nation.☦️🇪🇬

The part where Belisarius telling the barbarians to weep is essentially his version of saying "cope seethe and mald harder"

-Sassanids in Mesopotamia -Nik rebellion in Constantinople -Vandals in Northern Africa -Goths in Italia -Sassanids in Lazica -Goths in Italia -Kutrigurs on Danube Belisarius fought all over Mediterranean sea,real “Sword of Rome”

You really excelled in this piece. Greetings to you from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

as a turkish person, i like this music very much.. No matter what happened between us in the past, i respect greek culture and history.

As an Orthodox Christian from Iraq, I am proud to be a Christian and to believe in the Lord Jesus the King☦️☝🏻

A Persian and a Greek working together. Amazing piece of art

Greetings from România , named and known as the last daughter of Rome🇹🇩🙏

You may not see this message, but I want you to know that your music allows me to feel close to my ancestors, as well as cope with the difficulties that I have experienced recently. And it's priceless. As an Armenian, with a heritage of Greek and Levantine blood, whose ancestors were from the Byzantine Empire, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your work and the mission that you fulfill. May God help you in all your affairs.

As a Persian, I have mad respect for this Chad.

A truly underrated General and amazing character in the times he lived in. I love how melancholy the song is. Despite the great victories he won in his day, Belisarius was always mistrusted and given fewer and fewer resources to achieve these gains. I appreciate the somber tone and despite the “I am the sword of Rome, Belisarius!” It sounds more and more forlorn as the song carries on.

Happy Lent everyone ☦️🙏🏼

The best channel for that kind of music, historical with some solid stories to tell about ideas and people who lived long time ago truly a masterpiece

Belisarius. One of the greatest military commanders in the history of wars and human civilisation, who conducted the revival and resurrection of Roman empire. Truly the last of the Romans.

The Ostrogothic and Vandalic Kings have been real quiet since this dropped.

Pakistani Orthodox here, much love 🇵🇰❤️

Farya Faraji teaching the world about ancient Greek and Byzantine music is a thing i respect fully and have infinite gratitude for.Your work is fully appreciated brother

Khosrow I of the Sassanid empire who was considered Justinian's toughest rival, gave himself the title "Anushirvan" meaning "Immortal Soul" so Belisarius calls him a "Mortal Soul" in this music. Classic

"He was the sword of Rome, of the Empire, was this ambition? He was my friend, just and loyal. Belisarius!" (Excerpt from Justinian Epic Symphony)

I recently discovered your work and all i have to say is that music needs more people like you! Greetings from Greece.

This should deserve more views and likes

Masterpiece, the Italics and the Hellenes🇷🇴🇲🇩🇬🇷🇮🇹🇪🇸🇫🇷🇵🇹💪

Belisarius can really inspire us on many levels. Great music as always!

You did it again man im proud of following this channel for a long time and seeing the development and growth

Ok, I was here when this song dropped. IT NOW HAS 5 MILLION VIEWS. I AM AGHAST. FARYA IS AWESOME!

Belisarius seems to come from that breed of magnificent generals who performed amazing feats in the name of their leaders, yet were held back from completing the task because the very leaders they swore fealty to grew envious of their achievements, such as Surena, Germanicus and Stilicho. History really does repeat itself.

A 3 hour epic movie about the life of Belisarius would be great. Imagine if the movie was narrated like a legendary tale by an old and blind beggar to a child for giving him some coins

You have unlocked a whole new level of Rome thinking through your music, Farya. Thanks, from this argentine and roman citizen.

As a Turkish Muslim, I love my Greek and Italian Christian brothers very much 🇹🇷🇮🇹🇬🇷 

It captures the feeling the early stages of this great empire give you... I LOVE IT ☦️🇮🇹🇬🇷

The most slept on and underatted general in history, Belisarius is beyond a legend

the singer has some great voice and singing skills its realy refreshing to hear something beautifull of the past

I probably heard this five times in a row by now and I am still not tired of it. That song just gives me a certain feeling, an “ancient” vibe if you will. And the lyrics are just straight fire. Amazing work brother, much love from Germany!

Wonderful, simply amazing. You do Belisarius great justice with your music ! 👍

I'm a 21 yro girl from Italy and I'm proud of the history of the Romans, even though people forget too often that the Empire continued in its Byzantine form until 1453. ❤

This hits hard man, there’s so much going on to my ears and I like every second of it

Thanks for your work your musics are amazing !

Looking at the achievements of Belisarius always fascinates me as a Turkish person. He was a great warrior for sure 🇹🇷❤️🇬🇷

As a history fan and as a scholar of history, I can say that this song or chant describe very well Byzantine Empire! I'm also an Albanian Orthodox (converted) and I'm so happy to be a follower of Jesus Christ! God bless you all and give only peace with each other!❤️☦️🇦🇱

Я услышал эту песню в Тик токе, но я как любитель начал изучать историю Велизария мне хоть нет столько много лет, но могу сказать что песня классная слушаю часто теперь хочу попробовать построит поход Велизария из Винтийского государства в Рим из лего да понимаю звучит странно, но я часто совмещаю историю с лего это прикольно, но чтобы построить надо изучить всю историю Пожалуйста не оскобляйте меня это чисто моё мнение мне 11 лет

Great work! Thank you!

Respect from Athens, glad to be hearing such a talented artist reminding us of our empire. Cheers to my friend! Αθάνατοι

Let me give a cheer for Belisarius, a man who gave his all for Rome. VIVAT BELISARIVS !! AD HONOREM BELISARII !!

Sunt din Romania, tare incantata de ce aud. Mult success ❤❤❤

Theres something in a man that makes him want to reconquer Constantinople

Gentlemen, consider your day blessed by the spirit of Belisarius.

Hearing these Byzantine melodies with lyrics about Rome warms my heart.

Farya, something about your music hits my soul and blood. It brings me back in time to a glorious age. God Bless you and your family 💪🏻

❤TÜRKİYEDEN SELAMLAR❤🇹🇷 BİR TARİHÇİ OLARAK BU HARİKA MÜZİĞİ ÇOK BEĞENDİM BAŞARILAR🎉🎉

Incredible work. Greetings from Portugal 🇵🇹 Rome (East and West) lives in our hearts 🥰

FANTASTIC! THANK U SO MUCH!

omg this is so amazing 😫💓💓💓💓💓

I'm Urthozox from Syria, I love Byzantine history, and I love the Lord Jesus☦️🙏🏻

I am Korean, but it is interesting that the Eastern Roman Empire was great and has maintained Rome for a thousand years

Даже переводчик не нужен понять слова этой баллады Как фанат подобных работ хочу сказать спасибо большое автору

This guys drums add a whole extra like emotion or feeling to the songs that no one else does , his instruments hit hard AF 💯👌🏻

As a Turk, I am interested in Greek culture and music, I am not a stranger because of our similar culture and music, this music is a great work with overalls reflecting that Byzantine culture..

Belisarius, the hero Rome needed, but didn't deserve

LA MEJOR CANCIÓN QUE ESCUCHADO EN MI VIDA ENTERA

As a gerbil living under a floorboard in Osaka, I'm proud to be Christian! 😂 So, I stumbled upon your video about Viking music and you mentioned this song so I had to come over and see what the fuzz was about. You've earned yourself a subscriber, sir!

Mad respect for Belisarius from Türkiye

Those aren't actually drums, it's the sound of Belisarius clapping the cheeks of his foes

Really loved the song. Greetings from Turkiye.

Its so beautiful😍☦️❤️

Восхитительно! Люблю Византийскую культуру😍 Bravo, Farya!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

I’ve been sick with a stomach bug for the last week and this song has actually improved my morale quite a bit.

it achieved 4 million of views, congratulations Farya 🙏

Late comment, but thanks to you, you made me learn about Justinian and the early Eastern Roman (Byzantine) empire! I learned my information from Extra History's Justinian series, Belisarius, Justinian, and Theodora (and more) are all great people

Jako Polak słowianin jestem Ci niezwykle wdzięczny tobie Farya za arcydzieła jakich dokonałeś. Przyznam że dzięki tobie nauczyłem się kilku zwrotów po łacinie klasycznej. Ave Farya 🤚 Roma Invicta .

I'm Catholic and Latino from Colombia , in all our bible classes we need to study beautiful Greek language 🇬🇷☦️

This sounds amazing

I LOVE UR MUSIC MAN! From spain!🇪🇸

It's a really nice detail for Belisarius to refer to Khosrow as "you mortal soul," as it digs at Khosrow's nickname of The Immortal Soul!

I AM RETURNIG HERE EVERYDAY TO LISTEN TO THIS BLESSED SONG!!!

I am a Turk and a Muslim, but I approach events objectively, not like some racist people, and even though I am a grandchild of the Ottomans, I have come to the conclusion that Belisarius is someone who should be respected. We have a saying, either the state is a pasha or the raven is a carcass. Belisarius ruled in a way that was fully adapted to his own culture.

Really great video i loved the melody it sounds so eastern

Fought the Sassanids, the Huns, the Goths/Ostrogoths, the Vandals, the Bulgars and dealt with riots. He was loyal to his wife, humble and one of the best generals Rome(East and west) ever had. A role model for many of us.

God I love Belisarius so much, easly in my top 5 favorite Romans

Here from your most recent video on Norse throat-singing after you brought this up at the end. Regardless of how TikTok warped its original meaning, this shit still slaps 👌

Glory Roman Empire 🦅🇬🇷☦️

As a Serbian, I have always had interest in the Byzantine culture. Byzantine influence also played an important role in Serbian cultural heritage. Love and respect from Serbia.

Greetings from Exarchatus Italiae 🇮🇹 Gladius Romae sum, BELISARIUS!

This is beautiful.

Extraordinar!👏👏👏

In love with this piece, this is the kind of songs I imagine Belisarius and his Boukellarioi would sing. The wonderful Latin lyrics coupled with the Greek bagpipe really highlight the dual cultures of the Eastern Roman Empire. I'm actually a bit surprised tbh that you didn't use the gaida since Belisarius, like Justinian, was a Thracian/Illyrian and it would have been a really nice opportunity, but the tsambouna was fire enough already I suppose. Also, love how you called Khosrow a mortal soul, sick burn for the Anushiravan.

Your songs are beautiful, especially the Byzantine ones, I love them, thank you for these songs. Greetings from Romania!

Belisarius. One of the greatest historical figures of all time, and a front line soldier of Christ

Greeting You from The Kingdom Of greater Balochistan❤ Love You Farya