To mark the 1000th anniversary of his death we revisit the bachelorhood of Basil II.
My guest is Mark Masterson — until recently Associate Professor of Classics at Victoria University of Wellington (retired 2025). His work explores masculinity, desire, and male social bonds in the Roman world.
In his book Between Byzantine Men he discusses an oration written in Basil’s day which may shed light on his intimate life.
Picture: Basil II by J Foliveras
Find out more about Professor Mark Masterson here and check out his two books on male relationships within the Roman world.
Between Byzantine Men: Desire, Homosociality, and Brotherhood in the Medieval Empire
Routledge (2022)
Man to Man: Desire, Homosociality and Authority in Late-Roman Manhood
The Ohio State University Press. (2014)
Stream: The Bachelorhood of Basil II with Mark Masterson
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The History of Byzantium 
Welcome back! I’ve been relistening to the podcast since we hit 1453, but I jumped back forward from Manuel Komnenos to listen to this one. What an excellent and fascinating episode. I adore the metaphor about God’s forgiveness just getting lost in the Basil II yaoi sauce, it was funny, fascinating, and actually surprisingly touching.
Glad you enjoyed it