Basile II

Accession with the throne

Seizure of power

With died of her husband Romain II, occurred in 963, Théophano, mother of Basile and Constantin, assumes regency with eunuque the Joseph Bringas; indeed, Basile, although already crowned Co-emperor of his father on April 22nd, 960 is then old only 5 years. A little later a military revolt imposes Nicéphore II as Co-emperor. He marries Théophano, but this one gets rid of him six years later, in 969, to put on the throne his/her lover Jean I {{er}} Tzimiskès. To sit its authority and its legitimacy, this one admits Basile and his young brother Constantin Co-emperors.

The death of Jean Ier, in January 976, without children, leaves the throne to the young emperors, under the supervision of the parakoimomene Basile Lécapène, their great-uncle. At the beginning of the reign of the young emperors, the military and land aristocracy endeavors to keep the acquired capacity. But, the clash of the ambitions of the large houses with the imperial family causes a competition which degenerates into 13 years of civil war. Gears Sklèros, deposed to its functions of chief of the Byzantine armies of the East and relegated in Mésopotamie by Basile, first of all endeavors to remove with parakoimomene the supervision of the emperors. Acclaimed Basileus by its troops, it puts in rout several Byzantine armies thanks to its alliance with other people (Armenian, Arab). Bardas Sklèros arrives rather quickly for Constantinople. The parakoimomene then calls upon Bardas Phocas which drives out the usurper of the the Bosphorus but is made beat with Amorium on June 19th, 978. The following year, again close to Amorium, the two Gears clash in singular duel and Phocas Gears is victorious.

At the conclusion of this long civil war, the prestige of the Empire is touched, of the difficulties occur with the Arabs, the Bulgarian ones and Otton II in Italy. Basile II, at this time, starts to be interested in the businesses of the State and to intervene. The parakoimomene does not appreciate this engagement of the young person basileus and is combined with Bardas Phocas and Leon Melissénos. Basile, conscious of the danger, makes lock up parakoimomene in a monastery, withdraws the dignity of Servant of Scholes with Bardas Phocas, which becomes duke of Antioche, and forgives in Leon Melissénos. Basile II is consequently alone with the capacity. His/her brother Constantin VIII Co-emperor never intervenes in the businesses of the State.

Revolt army

However the takeover is not taste of the generals. The latter, at the time of the first countryside of the Emperor, show much unwillingness. Bardas Sklèros, which took refuge in Arab territory, is again made hear, and, once again is made proclaim basileus. Bardas Phocas decides to be combined with the usurper. However, this agreement does not hold a long time and Phocas Gears locks up Sklèros in a castle, then approaches Constantinople. Basile II has few troops to oppose to his adversary which has those of the Thèmes of Asia. But the emperor calls upon the large-prince de Kiev Vladimir {{Ier}}, which thinks of marrying a princess Porphyrogénète. An agreement is signed between the two emperors and the Russian emperor sends 6000 men to the basileus. Basile II forces the applicant to fold up himself on Abydos and it is at this place that the latter book a battle where its troops are defeats and there dies. With these Russian troops, Basile creates the Garde varangienne.

But Bardas Sklèros succeeds in fleeing of the fortress where it was kept and puts itself immediately in shift. Basile II succeeds in convincing it however that if it stops his company, it will obtain his forgiveness. The basileus holds its promise and Sklèros is withdrawn in Dymotika where he dies on March 6th, 991.

Interior administration

Once the firmly acquired throne, Basile can deal with the businesses of the State. Remembering the disorders which enamelled its beginning of reign, Basile II does not take any Prime Minister. However the basileus can be surrounded right-hand men, able to carry out the tasks which the emperor entrusts to them. Throughout its life the principal goal of Basile in his interior policy was to increase the Treasury thanks to its many conquests and with the spoils which it gathered. With its death Basile leaves: 200000 pounds of gold and enormously of jewels and other jewels hidden in a labyrinth. Basile must also maintain the order in the Empire and has to repress one movement secessionist (1022), that of Nicéphore Xiphias, strategist of Anatolia, and the son of Phocas Gears.

In 989, the empire knows a bad year, the winter is extremely cold there and the October 25th an earthquake in Constantinople destroys several turns of defense and churches of which the large cupola of the basilica Holy-Sophie which crumbles and which Basile made rebuild by Tiridate.

Protection of the poor

One of the philosopher's stones of Basile is the protection of the peasants small holders. Indeed, the noble ones, by taking the grounds of the poor, oppress the population, which is dangerous for the State because that cuts the direct link between the citizens and the Emperor. January 996, Basile II publishes a Novelle in which it returns to the poor all the goods which had been confiscated to them since Romain I {{er}} Lécapène. The law is applied with greatest severity and does not tolerate any variation, with the image of Philocalès, simple country having acquired goods illegally and which was lowered in its condition first (its buildings were even destroyed).

In 1004, Basile II positions back the Allèlengyon (mutual guarantee) which obliges the powerful ones to pay the taxes in the place of the poor, without to be able to benefit from the grounds for which they are acquitent of this tax. The great landowners, as well as the patriarch Sergius II, are revolted by these measurements, but Basile remains inflexible. They are certainly at the time of its voyages in the East and in the Caucasus, whereas it is received in large pump by the powerful families of Anatolia and Cappadoce which occupies wrongly of the imperial and communal fields, that it becomes convinced of the need for such a measurement. Nevertheless, the latter proves not very effective because very often there are no more independent peasants towards whom to be interdependent.

Religious affairs

In Byzance

Basile also involves himself in the religious affairs. The basileus, according to certain chroniclers, expresses its authoritative spirit in the businesses of the Church and often the patriarchs are chosen by him rather than by the synod, with the image of Nicolas Chrysoberge who is elected patriarch after a four years interregnum, which lets think of a conflict between the government and the synod. The question of the relationship between Constantinople and Rome surely influenced the choice of the various patriarchs. The popes, undergoing a certain interference on behalf of the Germanic emperors who also took again their attacks on the Byzantine topics of Italy, the Byzantine emperor logically supports the popes resulting from the Roman aristocracy rather than those pro-Germanic. The successor of Sergius, Eustathe makes nevertheless a visit in Rome to request from the pope Jean XIX a division into two of the government of the Church. This project is about to succeed but the business is revealed by several dignitaries of the Western Church and the pope must give up it. The last act of interference of Basile II in the businesses of the Church is establishment without the opinion of the synod of higoumene of the monastery of Stoudios, Alexis, with the patriarchate (dead Eustathe substitute little time before) the December 15th 1025.

Conversion of Russia to Christianity

The most considerable event religious of the time of Basile II is undoubtedly the conversion of Russia to the Christianisme, which contributes to increase the zone of influence of the Empire. Since 989, Christianity is already present in Russia via missionaries come from Scandinavia and Moravie. According to several texts, Vladimir would have been made baptize of his own boss by Russian priests two years before his marriage with the Byzantine princess. Basile II too having been long in sending his sister, Anne, Vladimir to him annexed the town of Kherson. Finally the basileus sends the Anne princess to Vladimir who restores Kherson and the assistance to drive out the last Khazars of the Crimea, new example of the address which the force of the weapons had always Byzance to combine, diplomatic skill and religious propaganda. With Kiev, the Russian prince converts his people of liking or force. A certain resistance takes place with Novgorod. The organization of the Russian Church at its beginnings is unknown because of the lack of sources. It seems however certain that the arrival of the Anne princess contributes to increase the Byzantine influence in Russia. During several years still, the Russian rites are borrowed at the same time from the Eastern Church and the Latin Church, but finally the Greek rite ends up being essential.

Foreign policy

The immediate predecessors of Basile had concentrated their forces on the fight against the Arabs. The policy of Basile II is of greater scale. The basileus finds the essential resources to fight on four different faces. Its principal effort is directed against the Bulgarian ones, but it still conquers territories with the Arab emirs, pushes the Byzantine penetration to the Caucasian people and succeeds in preserving the territories in Italy. Basile II knows the organization of the army perfectly and read works of strategy enormously. During 39 years (986 - 1025), the basileus leads its army on all the battle fields. It finds the weak points of the adversary, all its offensives are reasoned and it does not hesitate to launch campaigns in winter.

Tender of Bulgarian (980-1018)

Rebirth of Bulgaria (980-989)

The predecessors of Basile had been able to subject only the oriental party of Bulgaria. The tsar Samuel {{Ier}} had taken refuge in Western Macedonia. The Bulgarian ones being a direct threat for the Empire, Basile concentrates there the most troops. From 976 with 989, the disorders of the beginning of reign of Basile II benefit Bulgarian which reconstitute their State. In 980, Samuel decides to attack Greece, takes Larissa in 986 and advances to Corinthe. Basile, impatient of in découdre, drives out Samuel of Greece but is beaten in front of Sofia. Following this failure, the revolt of the two Gears starts.

Expansion of Bulgaria (989-1001)

From 989 until the year 1001, second part of the reign, Basile II are in peace with Russia and the caliph fatimide; the efforts of the basileus turn to Bulgaria. The Bulgarian ones go on Thessalonique and seize Veria (quoted barring the Western access of Thessalonique). During the civil war, Samuel seized already the Dalmatie, the port of Dyrrachium and reigns on two thirds of the Balkan Peninsula. Basile organizes the defense of Thessalonique and after fight a 4 years, Berrhoé begins again. Called on the Eastern face, Basile entrusts to Nicéphore Ouranos the forces fighting against the Bulgarian ones. Learning the departure from Basile, Samuel advances towards Thessalonique, but, in front of the big city, gives up besieging it and moves towards Corinthe, then beats a retreat towards Sperchios, where it is made beat by Nicéphore Ouranos. The Bulgarian ones, undergoing a serious defeat, must flee towards the mounts of Thessalie. Basile cannot exploit this victory and orders in Nicéphore to devastate Bulgaria. In spite of that, Samuel invades the Dioclée (current Montenegro).

Crushing argument to the Bulgarian expansion (1001-1005)

Basile, in 1001-1002, conducts campaign in the plain of Sofia. The basileus recovers Danubian Bulgaria and is maintained there. Then, it rebuilds place-strong Thessalie. Shortly after it seizes Edessa, then in 1004 conquers Vidin after eight month of seat. Samuel tries a diversion while seizing Andrinople, of which he massacres the inhabitants, but the tsar, learning the arrival from Basile, beats a retreat. Finally, the two armies meet on the Vardar in front of Skopje. The Bulgarian ones are demolished and must give up the spoils of Turkey-red cotton. To complete his victory, Basile II conquers Skopje. In four years, Samuel lost half of his empire. The Byzantines, to supplement their success, recover Dyrrachium (current the Durrës), sold by its governor, son-in-law of Samuel.

Byzantine expansion (1005-1014)

Between 1005 and 1014, one has little information on the operations of Basile, one knows especially that it approaches the center of the Bulgarian empire little by little. It does not remain any more in Samuel but the area of the big lakes, the mountains of Albania as well as the area of the Strymon. It is in this area that a crucial battle for the future of Bulgaria is delivered. July 29th, 1014, Basile borrows the master key of Kimbalongos, barred by the Bulgarian army. Finally Basile circumvents the latter and removes the victory at the time of the Bataille of the Master key of Kleidion. The basileus makes burst the eyes of the surviving soldiers and returns them: 15000 Bulgarian blind men with the tsar led by one-eyed saved blind percent. In front of the arrival of this troop, Samuel dies of apoplexy.

Ultimate combat (1014-1018)

The son of Samuel, Gabriel Radomir, succeeds his father with the head of the Bulgarian ones. Basile, exploiting his victory, does not occupy Melnic (at the end of 1014) and invades Western Macedonia, the Bulgarian ones then not having any more but the highlands of Pélagonie. Basile takes in 1016 the fortress of Mogléna in the south-east of Macedonia. During this year bursts a civil war at the Bulgarian ones and Gabriel Radomir is killed by his/her cousin Iwan Wladislav. This last tries to make peace with the basileus but Basile refuses. Basile II continues the conquest of Bulgaria by taking Ohrid (the capital of Samuel). The Bulgarian ones then try to be combined with the Petchenègues. When he learns that, Basile gives up the seat of Castoria and goes up towards north. Then, learning the failure from this alliance, it returns in Pélagonie where Iwan Wladislav tries to stop it; this last is finally beaten (at the end of 1017). In a despaired attempt, the last Bulgarian tsar raises an army and tries to take again Dyrrachium (January 1018) but it is killed in the combat. The forwarding of Basile in 1018 is a walk and its return to Constantinople is a triumph.

The victory of the Byzantines over the Bulgarian ones is surely due to the superiority of the organization of their army, as with the strategic skill of Basile II who knew to divide the enemy. It also acquires the victory thanks to the great mobility of its troops; Basile is also always ready to give up a battle field to repair an error made on another.

The conquest of Bulgaria makes it possible the Byzantine empire to push back its border on the Danube and eliminates an empire which since its creation was always a great danger, threatening on several occasions Constantinople and requiring the presence from many troops which missed many times at forwardings of the Byzantine emperors against the Arabs. However, that does not make disappear any danger to the Byzantine empire on the Danubian face, because of the Russian danger which are done increasingly pressing and of the aggressive appearance of Petchenègues.

Following the conquest of Bulgaria, Basile shows a very great intelligence in the organization of this new province, it is not transformed into topic but is directed by a basilikoi according to a principle similar to the system of the counts set up by Charlemagne. The basileus imposes the respect of the local habits. It is also very tolerant in the ecclesiastical organization of the Bulgarian Church. This made it possible to avoid any attempt at revolt of the Bulgarian ones.

War against the Arabs (979-999)

Without ignoring the Arab face, Basile II dealt rather with the fate of the Bulgarian ones. Nevertheless, warned strategist, the basileus continues the expansion policy and conquers some Arab territories.

First respite (979-995)

From 976 to 989, the emir of Alep Saïd keeps away from the civil wars although it tries to be freed from the tribute which its Bagkour predecessor had committed himself paying with the Byzantine empire. One had needed three forwardings of Barcas Phocas (into 981,983 and 986) to make it return in the order. After last forwarding, Basile II enters in conflict with the caliphate fatimide, Saïd being put under the protection of this last. But, in full civil war, it signs a treaty with the caliph in whom it is committed not attacking the emir d' Alep and that its name is pronounced in the prayers of the mosque of Constantinople present since the 8th century. Basile II must also fight against the Arabs in Sicily.

Fight against the caliphate fatimide (995-999)

In 992, the new caliph fatimide Al-Aziz, benefitting from died from the caliph hamdanide Sayf Al-Dawla (991) which leaves a son in low age, besieges Alep. The regent of the caliphate hamdanide Loukoul el Kébir then calls upon Basile to contribute it vis-a-vis to Fatimides which overcame the duke of Antioche Michel Bourtzès with the battle of the fords of the Oronte (September 15th 994). Basile whereas he fights against the Bulgarian ones decides into 995 to transfer his troops to Alep. Ordering with its soldiers to assemble each one a fast Mule, it succeeds in the exploit to cross Asia Mineure in 16 days and full winter. In front of the sudden arrival of the Byzantines who joined the forces of the duke of Antioche, the Arabs take fear and fold up themselves with Damas. After the catch of some Syrian places, Basile II is of return to Constantinople into 995. In 999, Basile II must again give up the Bulgarian theater. Indeed, the caliph fatimide Al-Hakim, successor of Al-Aziz, inflicts a rout with the duke of Antioche Damien Dallassenos which is killed as a combatant (July 19th, 998). The basileus has like drank to release Antioche, then to subject the emirs and to make sure obedience of those which were vassal Empire. Basile is in Antioche on September 20th, it seizes Césarée and Homs (in October), but fails in front of Tripoli (6 December 17th). Following this countryside, it spends the winter to Tarse. The emperor cannot continue the fight because it must ensure the Byzantine positions of the the Caucasus. It thus signs a peace treaty ten years with Al-Hakim. Peace between Byzance and the Arabs make it possible Basile II to concentrate all his forces in the countryside of Bulgaria.

Wars in the Caucasus (999-1023)

Countryside of Georgia (999)

In 999, following its countryside of Syria, Basile II prepares, after having spent the winter in Tarse, to set out again in shift against the Arab emirs when he learns the assassination from David, the Haute king Georgia. This the last, which had brought its assistance to Bardas Phocas which had revolted, had been committed avoiding losing its kingdom to yield it to its death with the Empire. Basile thus walks towards the kingdom of High Georgia to recover his due. The basileus arrives at Mélitène, where it is accommodated in large pump by the Armenian chiefs. Carrying on its road it passes near the sources of the Tigre and crosses the Euphrate. Finally it arrived at Havatchich on the Araxe where it is accommodated by the princes géorgiens to which he distributes titles and grounds. After having annexed all the grounds of David and receipt the oath of fidelity of its vassal, it returns to Constantinople after an easy military campaign. These new conquests make grow the prestige of the Empire among Caucasian people.

Countryside of Transcaucasia (1018-1022)

Very little time after the destruction of the Bulgarian State, Basile II leaves to shift in Transcaucasie, because Giorgi, king of the Abasges, took in its possession the territories of his/her Bagarat father died in 1014 which had yielded its grounds as well as area of Basian (between the high valley of Araxe and the Eastern arm of Euphrate) to the Byzantine empire in exchange of the title of curopalate. Fearing the migration of the Turks Seldjoukides, Basile attaches much importance to these grounds and wants to show with his vassal that in spite of their distance it would always come to bring back the order. The basileus without revealing the goal of its forwarding gathers its army with Philomélion in the topic of Anatolia. The emperor moves towards Karin (Erzeroum) in spring of the year 1021. In front of the refusal of Giorgi to subject itself, it joined the plain of Basian while crossing the chain separating Araxe from Euphrate. It meets the army of Giorgi, which, after an undecided battle but because of heavy losses, is folded up towards the Abkhazie continued by Basile. After having burned the towns of Georgia, it penetrates in the area of Tiflis where no emperor had penetrated since Héraclius.

Basile II spends the winter to Trébizonde, where the king of Large Arménie, Jean Sempad, old ally of Giorgi makes him his tender and promises to him to transfer its kingdom to the Empire with its death. The basileus also treats with the king of Vaspurakan (southern of the Lac of Van) which, not being able to defend oneself against the Turks Seldjoukides, its kingdom gives to Basile in exchange of the Cappadoce which is given to him in prerogative. Giorgi, learning that Basile II prepares to attack Abkhazie, is submitted to the Byzantine emperor and yields the territories in litigation to him.

Revolt of Nicéphore Xiphias (1022-1023)

Basile prepares to leave the Caucasus when he learns that Nicéphore Xiphias, strategist of Anatolia, one of the best generals of the countryside of Bulgaria revolts in.liaison.with Nicéphore “with the twisted collar”, wire of Phocas Gears. Basile sends the strategist of Arméniaques against the rebels whereas him moves against Giorgi instigator of this revolt. Exasperated by the behavior of the Caucasian chief who refused to renew his tender, it goes in the plain of Basian and inflicts to him a complete rout (September 11th 1022). Giorgi flees by giving up its Suivi camp of near by the imperial army, it beseeches peace, Basile II grants it to him in the same terms as the preceding treaty but the Caucasian chief must moreover deliver many hostages of which his/her only son with Basile. The basileus continues its walk and makes a show of force in extreme cases of the Christian grounds in the neighborhoods of the Lake Ourmiah. Finally, Basile beats a retreat and returns to Constantinople to the beginning of the year 1023. He completed the conquest of the Arménie and Georgia. These new grounds could have become a glacis vis-a-vis the Asian tribes but the fate decides some differently.

Countryside against Khazars (1016)

Although the power of the Khaganat Khazar was put at evil by the princes de Kiev during years 960, the Byzantines could not exploit this fall of being able of Khazars and reconstitute their domination on the whole of the the Crimea and other sectors around the Black Sea. In 1016, the Byzantine army, with that of Mstislav of Tchernigov, attacks the Crimea. Kedrenos reports that the chief khazar Georgius Tzoul, beaten with Kerch, is captured and its destroyed kingdom. The Byzantines restore then their domination on the southernmost Crimea.

The assertion of Venice

During his reign, Basile II undertakes to be combined with Venice and, by this gesture, it contributes mainly to the birth as a maritime great power of Venice. It is significant that Basile does not separate the question from Italy of that of the Adriatique, whose banks are occupied by Venice still partly vassal Empire, by Croatia, by the topic of Dyrrachium and that of Italy. All these territories are threatened by the same enemies: the Bulgarian ones, Slavic pirates and Buckwheats. Basile, who devotes himself to the war in Bulgaria, thus decides to be combined with Venice from which he is considered the suzerain. In 992, it grants commercial laws to the young maritime power and lowers the right-of-way of its ships to the customs of Abydos with two under gold. In exchange the Venetian ones must place their ships at the disposal of the basileus if this last wants to unload troops in Italy. In 998, Basile authorizes the doge Pietro II Orseolo to defend the cities of the topic of Dalmatie against the attacks of the Slavic pirates. This last discharges this task very well; indeed the forwarding of Orseolo in 1001 is a triumph for Venice. This event marks the beginning of the Venetian claims on the Dalmatian cities. Finally in 1004, the Venetian ones send a fleet to the help of the capital of the Byzantine topic of Italy, Bari, besieged by the Arabs and who was on the point of succumbing. In thanks of this act, Basile authorizes the son of the doge to come to Constantinople to marry with a patrician; a new maritime power was then born in the Adriatic.

Wars in Italy

Germanic invasion (981-983)

During the civil war, Italy abandoned with its fate, badly defended and is protected only by local militia. Whereas Buckwheats of Sicily continues their raids in Italy, Otton II, the Germanic emperor, in spite of his marriage with the porphyrogénète Théophano Skleraina wants to continue the project of his/her father and to invade the Byzantine possessions. The Byzantine government tries without success to dissuade the Germanic emperor who begins his incursions as from summer 981. It is in central Italy when one of its best allies, Pandolf prince of Salerno and Bénévent dies. In spite of this loss, Otton II invades into 982 the Byzantine Apulie which he traverses for 5 months by taking the majority of the cities. However, whereas it arrives in Calabria, Otton II runs up against Buckwheats of Sicily which inflict to him a heavy defeat close to Stilo (on July 13rd, 982). The emperor owes his safety only by pushing his horse in the floods where it is collected by a Byzantine ship. Reforming its army with Rossano, Otton is folded up and died in Rome in the month of December 983. Finally the victory of the Byzantines enables them to restore their domination on Apulie.

Arab incursions (991-1002)

At the end of the 10th century, it does without only little significant events to Italy and the Byzantine possessions are not guères threatened. However, of the incursions of the Arabs of Sicily (seat of Tarente in 991, taken Matera in Calabria into 994) and of the revolts lombardes (Smaragdus which is combined with Buckwheats and holds the countryside of 997 at the year 1000) obliges the Byzantines to remain on their guards, the local militia are not enough strong to hold head with the invaders. The direct consequence of this lack of defense is the miserable life which the inhabitants of Apulie have. Fortunately for the Byzantines, there are no more Germanic incursions in particular because Théophano dies into 991. Otton III thus sends an embassy into 996 directed by Jean Philathagos and Bernard Hidesheim to claim the hand of a news porphyrogénète in Basile II. However it is necessary to wait until 1001 and one new embassy carried out by Arnulf, the archbishop of Milan, so that the negotiations succeed. But when the porphyrogénète arrives to Italy at Bari (1002), she learns that Otton III died at the 22 years age.

Revolt lombarde

While the Arabs continued their incursions on the Byzantine territory, a great danger to Byzantine Italy is profiled. Indeed, on May 9th, 1009 bursts an insurrection with Bari directed by two aristocrats lombards: Mélès and his/her beautiful Datto brother. The latter drive out the Byzantine garrison of the city without chief since the death of the catépan. The Byzantine forces in too weak Italy not being able to protect the population from the Arabs and the insolence of the civils servant with the natives are the immediate causes of the revolt. With the assistance of the militia, the movement extends to all Apulie. Finally, ten months after the beginning of the revolt, Basile send forces in Italy (March 1010).

After a 61 day old seat, Basile Argyre takes again Bari and restores the Byzantine authority there. Mélès which was going to be captured, flees with Bénévent and from there in Germany. The Germanic emperor Henri II confers to him the title of prince d' Apulie.

But another danger is profiled for the Empire: since the 11th century, the Norman ones leave their country because of a too large population for the resources which it can offer and of a government which does not leave them enough independence. These warriors and merchants are everywhere in Europe. Indeed, they often go in pilgrimage. Some of these Norman attended the pilgrimage of Michel saint with Assembles Gargano. It is at this place that Mélès the meeting and exhorts them to fight the Byzantines. However it is more probable than it is the prince of Salerno, Guaimar, which called upon the Norman knights via emissary. Finally the Norman ones unite in Lombards revolted and Mélès overcomes on several occasions the catapan Leon Tornikios during spring 1017. In a few revolted months all the Pouilles occupy. Basile II decided to replace Leon Tornikios by Basile Bojoannès, man more energetic. In ten months, this last represses the revolt lombarde and in October 1018, inflicts a disaster with the army lombardo-Norman in Cannes (current Barletta) on Right Bank of the Ofanto. Mélès succeeds in escaping in Germany where he dies in 1020.

Following this victory, the imperial authority is restored in Southern Italy and Basile Bojoannès creates a military march which blocks the solid mass of Gargano and built a new city, Troia, which protects the road from Bénévent. Henri II, anxious of the re-establishment of the Byzantine power, tries a forwarding which stops in front of Troia.

Following his countryside in Arménie, Basile II has as project to reduce the den of the Arab pirates who is Sicily. In April 1025, an army directed by the protospathaire Oreste unloads in Italy and moves towards Reggio di Calabria. Basile Bojoannès begins the countryside of Sicily while seizing Messine, but it cannot continue because Oreste underwent a failure. Basile, who is on the point of embarking for Italy, dies on December 15th, 1025; this stops the operations in Sicily.

Assessment

On the political plan Basile II, died without child, leaves the empire to his/her brother Constantin VIII more powerful and wider than it had never been it since Justinien. For the first time for several centuries, the imperial authority has been restored in the Balkans thanks to the elimination of the Bulgarian State. Basile also drew aside the Arab danger, grace in particular to shows of force which enabled him in the passing to conquer several important cities like Césarée, while approaching to Jerusalem and the heart of Christianity. He succeeds in moreover extending his authority to the distances Caucasian kingdoms, grounds where no Byzantine had penetrated since Héraclius. Basile succeeded thanks to a daring policy, as well on the diplomatic level as military, to preserve all the Byzantine possessions in Italy and opens the way with his successors for the conquest of Arab Sicily.
On the economic plan Basile II was a good manager and it leaves with its death a considerable treasure. The administration was reformed, the small properties were restored, thus reducing the oppression of the poor and making it possible at the State to be more powerful. Indeed, by preventing the acquisition of territories and goods to the detriment of the poor, it prevents the Byzantine aristocracy being too powerful and from becoming dangerous.
Finally in the religious field, Basile appreciably increased the area of influence of Byzance: with the conversion of Russia to the Greek rite, the Byzantine empire acquires a great spiritual prestige in the Slavic world. On the material plan, its richness causes covetousnesses however there.

Family

Basile II is the son of Théophano and of Romain II, it is thus of the family of the Macedonians, it had as a brother and sister:

Constantin VIII born in 961, died in 1028 (Co-emperor with Basile II then emperor alone of 1025 with 1028)
Anne, which is given in marriage to the prince de Kiev Vladimir.

Basile II did not take of woman and did not have any child.

Sources

Romance Emperors
, p. 314-369

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