Basil II Bulgaroktonos
Basil II, surnamed Bulgaroktonos - the Bulgar-Slayer - was the greatest Byzantine emperor after Justinian I, the ruler who brought the empire to its widest medieval extent and exercised a form of relentless, personal power that awed contemporaries and still commands historical respect. He reigned for nearly half a century, from 976 to 1025, and spent much of it on campaign. His early reign was nearly destroyed by two massive revolts from the military aristocracy: Bardas Skleros and Bardas Phokas both challenged him in the 970s-980s. Basil survived largely through a crucial alliance with Vladimir of Kiev, who provided six thousand Varangian warriors in exchange for the hand of Basil's sister Anna. This marriage led directly to Vladimir's conversion to Christianity and the Christianization of Kievan Rus, one of the most consequential events in world religious history. Secure by the early 990s, Basil dedicated the rest of his reign to the destruction of the Bulgarian empire under Tsar Samuel. In 1014, after the Battle of Kleidion, he captured around 15,000 Bulgarian prisoners, blinded 99 in every 100, leaving one eye to every hundredth man so they could lead the others home to Samuel. When Samuel saw his blinded army return he died of shock. Basil died in December 1025 still in his armor, leaving an empire at its territorial peak - and with no heir.
- Lived: 958 CE – 1025 CE
- Nationality: byzantine
- Roles: emperor, head_of_state, military_leader, conqueror
