Basil II

Byzantine Emperor from the Macedonian dynasty

Basil II[1] (958 – December 15, 1025), was a Byzantine emperor from the Macedonian dynasty from January 10, 976 to December 15, 1025. Under his reign, the Byzantine Empire reached its greatest height since Justinian the Great. Under his reign, the First Bulgarian Empire was completely taken by him, a land that would be part of his empire for 150 years. Because of this, the northern part of the Roman Empire touched the Danube river for the first time in several hundred years. He also took land towards the east.

Basil II
Emperor of the Romans
Detailed Portrait of Emperor Basil II
Byzantine Emperor
Reign10 January 976 –
15 December 1025
PredecessorJohn I Tzimiskes
SuccessorConstantine VIII
Bornc. 958
Constantinople, Eastern Roman Empire
Died15 December 1025
Constantinople, Eastern Roman Empire
Full name
Basil Porphyrogenitus
DynastyMacedonian
FatherRomanos II
MotherTheopano
ReligionChalcedonian Christianity

Bibliography change

  • (primary source) Michael Psellus, Chronographia
  • The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, 1991

References change

  1. Greek: Βασίλειος Β΄ Βουλγαροκτόνος, Basileios II Boulgaroktonos i.e "the Bulgar-slayer", also known as Basil II the Bulgar-Slayer and Basil the Young

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Preceded by
Romanos II
Byzantine Emperor
963
Succeeded by
Nikephoros II
Preceded by
John I
Byzantine Emperor
976–1025
Succeeded by
Constantine VIII