Basil II

Lore & Background

Basil II was born in 958 as a porphyrogennetos, the eldest son of Romanos II and Theophano. He and his brother Constantine VIII were crowned co-emperors before their father's death in 963, but were too young to rule. The throne passed to generals Nikephoros Phokas and John Tzimiskes before Basil became senior emperor in 976, though his great-uncle Basil Lekapenos remained de facto ruler until 985. The early years of Basil's reign were dominated by civil wars against generals Bardas Skleros and Bardas Phokas, which ended by 989. Basil then stabilized and expanded the eastern frontier, subjugated the First Bulgarian Empire, campaigned against the Fatimid Caliphate and the Khazar Khaganate, and led successful campaigns against the Kingdom of Georgia.

Reader's Guide

Basil II's significance lies in his long and effective reign, which restored Byzantine power after decades of internal strife. He reduced the power of the great land-owning families, filled the treasury, and expanded the empire to its largest size in four centuries. His decision to offer his sister Anna Porphyrogenita to Vladimir I of Kiev in exchange for military support led to the formation of the Varangian Guard and the Christianization of the Kievan Rus', incorporating later successor states into the Byzantine cultural and religious tradition. Despite near-constant warfare, he was a capable administrator who left a well-stocked treasury. His successors were largely incompetent, but the empire flourished for decades after his death. Basil is seen as a Greek national hero but is despised among Bulgarians.

Did You Know?

• Basil II was given the epithet 'the Bulgar Slayer'.
• His reign of 49 years and 11 months was the longest of any Roman emperor.
• He was described by Michael Psellos as stocky, shorter-than-average, with light-blue eyes and a habit of rolling his side whiskers when deep in thought or angry.
• The marriage of his sister Anna to Vladimir I of Kiev led to the Christianization of the Kievan Rus'.