Basil II

Basil II (958–1025), called the Bulgar-Slayer, was senior Byzantine emperor from 976 until his death. Crowned co-emperor in 960, he escaped the regent Basil Lekapenos only in 985, after two generals had held the throne before him.

He crushed the revolts of Bardas Skleros and Bardas Phokas by 989 and, after long warfare, annexed the First Bulgarian Empire. He married his sister Anna to Vladimir I of Kiev in exchange for military support, forming the Varangian Guard, and the marriage led to the conversion of Rus'. He curbed the landowning families and campaigned against Georgia, leaving Byzantium at its greatest extent in four centuries.