Leo VI (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)

Basil’s son Leo was known as “the Wise” during his lifetime. We get to know the new Emperor and explore if this reputation was justified.

Period: 886-900

Download: Leo the Wise?

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Leo VI (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

The Romans flee from the Bulgars at Boulgarofygon (from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes)

Basil I (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)

We follow Basil’s time in office as tries to wash away the sin of murder and secure legitimacy for his new dynasty. He also tests the limits of Byzantium’s growing power in East and West.

Period: 867-886

Download: Known Unknowns

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Basil on ship (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)

Scanned poorly from Treadgold’s Byzantine State and Society

Michael III “the Drunkard” and Basil “the Macedonian” (scanned from Treadgold, originally from the Modena copy of John Zonaras’ history)

Basil I on right, enthroned Jesus on left (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

We chart the rise of Basil the Macedonian and his murder of both Bardas and Michael. We also look at how Basil’s descendants would re-brand Michael as “the Drunkard” before saying goodbye to the Amorion Dynasty.

Period: 866-867

Download: Keeping up with the Macedonians

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Michael III (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople (iconograms.org)

Theodora and Theoctistus rule for young Michael until he comes of age. Then Uncle Bardas takes over the government. Meanwhile the Romans begin to gain the upper hand in Anatolia while a schism with the Papacy looms.

Period: 842-867

Download: Mother and Uncle

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Military division of the Empire in 842 (from Byzantium in the Iconoclast Era)

The bride show where Theophilos chooses Theodora (Val Cameron Prinsep (1838-1904) – New York Public Library Digital Gallery)

Theophilus reorganises the army and leaves the throne to his wife and two year-old son. Theodora decides to restore the Icons and we discuss the end to the Iconoclast era of Byzantine history.

Period: 838-842

Download: The Triumph of Orthodoxy

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Arab-Byzantine border in Anatolia (author: CPlakidas at Wikipedia)

We focus on Theophilus’ record on the eastern front. The last gasp of true Caliphal power sees the Emperor harshly punished for his support of the Khurramite rebellion.

Period: 829-838

Download: God-Fearing

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The Golden Automata of the throne room (from camerainthesun.com)

Theophilus’ inscription on the Sea Walls (historum.com)

Byzantine Beacon System

Young Theophilus becomes Emperor at a rare moment of internal peace. We look at his domestic policies across his 13 year reign and touch on his non-Anatolian foreign policy.

Period: 829-842

Download: God-Loving

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View of modern Heraklion (in Crete) founded by the Arab invaders in 828

View of Enna (modern Castrogiovanni) in Sicily where Euphemius was stabbed to death

Michael II tries to secure his regime now that the civil war is over. However attacks on Sicily and Crete prevent him from returning to “normality.”

Period: 824-829

Download: The Islands

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