Knowra Basil I Basil I Basil I was Byzantine emperor from 867 to 886 and founder of the Macedonian dynasty. His reign began a major revision of Byzantine law and saw the empire regain territory and influence.
Macedonian dynasty : A Byzantine imperial dynasty that ruled from 867 to 1056, beginning with Basil I. Basil founded this dynasty, whose long rule made his accession a turning point.
Michael III : Byzantine emperor from 842 to 867, whose reign ended when Basil I seized power. Basil rose through Michael’s court before overthrowing and killing him.
Eudokia Ingerina : A Byzantine empress, wife of Basil I and formerly associated with Michael III’s court. Her marriage linked Basil’s household to the preceding emperor’s inner circle.
Siege of Ragusa (866–868) : A Byzantine and Frankish effort to relieve Ragusa from an Arab siege, ending in 868. Basil’s fleet helped lift the siege, demonstrating renewed Byzantine activity in the Adriatic.
Basilika : A comprehensive Byzantine law code issued under Leo VI, written in Greek and based on earlier Roman law. Basil initiated the legal revision that his son Leo VI completed in this code.
Theodora (wife of Theophilos) : Byzantine empress who served as regent for her son Michael III from 842 to 856. Her regency preceded Michael’s rule and the court environment in which Basil advanced.
Constantine (son of Basil I) : The eldest son of Basil I, briefly co-emperor and designated heir before dying in 879. Basil’s plans for succession centered on Constantine until his early death.
Byzantine reconquest of Bari : The Byzantine capture of Bari from Arab forces in 876, restoring imperial control in southern Italy. The campaign brought a major southern Italian city back under Byzantine rule during Basil’s reign.
Procheiron : A Byzantine legal handbook issued in the late ninth century, presenting practical rules in Greek. It was one outcome of the legal reorganization begun during Basil’s reign.
Bardas : A powerful Byzantine statesman and military leader, uncle of Michael III, assassinated in 866. Basil helped arrange Bardas’s murder, clearing a path to the throne.
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