Basil II
(0958-1025)Bloodthirsty Basil Blinds Bulgarians on
October 6, 1014.
|
Bulgaria was once part of
the Roman Empire and comprised parts of the provinces of Thrace and Moesia. In the late
9th and early 10th centuries, Bulgaria became the strongest nation of Eastern Europe. In
925 Simeon proclaimed himself czar of the Greeks and Bulgars. During his reign he
introduced Byzantine culture into his realm, encouraged education, obtained new
territories, defeated the Magyars, and conducted a series of successful wars against the
Byzantine Empire. During this period, the first written Slavic language, and the Cyrillic
alphabet were adopted. Bulgaria became the center of Slavic culture, led by the followers
of Saint Cyril and his brother Saint Methodius.
Over the next 50 years the power and glory of Bulgaria began to decline. In 969 invading
Russians seized the capital and captured the royal family. In 972 the eastern part of the
country was annexed to the Byzantine Empire. Samuel became ruler of western Bulgaria in
976. Samuel's armies were annihilated in 1014 by the Byzantine emperor Basil II.
Basil II, son of Emperor Romanus II, reigned jointly with his brother Constantine VIII
over the Byzantine Empire. Constatine VII took no interest in ruling and never took an
active role in this job. Basil II was Byzantine emperor from 976 to 1025. He was the
greatest ruler of the Macedonian dynasty. Basil's empire was threatened on the west by the
Bulgarian Empire. Basil waged war against the Bulgarians for 28 years. On October 6, 1014,
Basil II brought this war to an end with an unprecedented act of savagery. Samuel's army
of 15,000 was defeated by the army of Basil II. Basil II put out the eyes of the 15,000
Bulgarians. One eye was left for every 100th soldier so that the defeated army could find
its way back to Tsar Simon. Basil II subjected his people to Byzantine rule and was given
the surname Bulgaroctonos (Slayer of Bulgars). The Byzantine Empire began to decline after
Basil's death.
Sources: On This Day | Microsoft(R)
Encarta(R) |