Basil I the Macedonian

Basil I the Macedonian (811–886) ruled Byzantium from 867 to 886 and founded the Macedonian dynasty. A peasant from the theme of Macedonia, he became Michael III's favourite and was named co-emperor in 866, then murdered Michael in 867 to rule alone.

His legal reforms became the sixty-book Basilika under Leo VI, and his army crushed the Paulicians at Tephrike in 872. He restored Ignatios as patriarch, improving relations with Rome, and campaigned against the Arabs in Italy. He died after a hunting accident in August 886 and was succeeded by Leo VI.