Basilios 7

Prosopography of the Byzantine Empire
SexM
FloruitE/L IX
Dates813 (n.) / 886 (ob.)
PmbZ No.832
Variant NamesBasileios
EthnicityMacedonian;
Armenian
LocationsKepoi (Thrakesioi);
Macedonia (property);
Peloponnesos;
Hagios Diomedes (Monastery of, Constantinople) (topographical);
Constantinople (officeplace);
Adrianoupolis (Macedonia) (residence);
Bulgaria (residence);
Constantinople (residence);
Adrianoupolis (Macedonia);
Bulgaria;
Constantinople;
Adrianoupolis (Macedonia) (birthplace)
OccupationFarmer
TitlesPatrikios (dignity);
Augustus (office);
Basilikos protostrator (office);
Basilikos strator (office);
Emperor (office);
Parakoimomenos (office);
Protostrator (office)
Textual SourcesBar Hebraeus, Chronographia, tr. E. A. W. Budge, The Chronography of Abu 'l-Faraj (London, 1932; repr. Amsterdam, 1976) (history);
Chronicon Anonymi ad annum 1234 pertinens, ed. and tr. J.-B. Chabot, I = CSCO 81-82 (Paris, 1916-20), II = CSCO 109 (Louvain, 1937) (chronicle);
Genesii, Josephi, Regum Libri Quattuor, eds. A. Lesmüller-Werner and I. Thurn, CFHB 14 (Berlin, 1978) (history);
Georgius Monachus Continuatus, in Theophanes Continuatus, ed I Bekker (Bonn, 1839), pp. 761-924 (history);
Leo Grammaticus, Chronographia, ed. I. Bekker (Bonn, 1842) (chronicle);
Pseudo-Symeon, Chronographia, ed. I. Bekker (Bonn, 1838), pp. 603-760 (history);
Theophanes Continuatus, ed. I. Bekker (Bonn, 1838) (history);
Vita Ignatii Patriarchae, by Nicetas (BHG 817), PG 105.488-574) (hagiography);
Vita Irenae Chrysobalanton, The Life of St Irene Abbess of Chrysobalanton, ed. with introd., tr., notes and indices, J. O. Rosenqvist, Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis (hagiography);
Vita Nicolai Studitae (BHG 1365), PG 105. 863-925 (hagiography);
Zonaras = Ioannis Zonarae Epitome Historiarum, libri XIII-XVIII, ed. Th. Büttner-Wobst, (Bonn, 1897) (history)

Basilios 7 is the emperor Basil I (867-886). The history of his life and reign was written by his grandson, the emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (= Theophanes Continuatus, Book V); Constantine described him as of great benefit to the empire and composed his history in order to inform posterity of the origins of the ruling dynasty and to provide a model of conduct to be followed by future descendants of Basilios 7 (in particular, no doubt, Constantine's own son, the future emperor Romanos II): Theoph. Cont. V 1. The Life is uncritical panegyric, makes exaggerated claims about his origins, glosses over unpleasant facts, and strives always to justify Basilios 7's actions. Other sources (see below) provide a useful corrective.

Basilios 7 came from Macedonia but was an Armenian and a descendant of the Arsacids (ὡρμᾶτο μὲν ἐκ τῆς Μακεδόνων γῆς, τὸ δὲ γένος εἷλκεν ἐξ Ἀρμενίων ἔθνους Ἀρσακίων): Theoph. Cont. V 2 (p. 212), cf. V 12 (an Armenian). His supposed ancestors, Artabanos and Kleienes, members of the Arsacid family, were allegedly settled with their families at Nike in Macedonia in the fifth century by the emperor Leo I; later their descendants were moved for safety by the emperor Heraklios first to Philippi in Macedonia and then to Adrianopolis, where they settled and flourished; in the reign of Constantine VI (Konstantinos 8) and Eirene 1 a man called Maiktes 1, an Armenian and an Arsacid from Armenia, on a visit to Constantinople, met a fellow countryman called Leo (Leo 110) and married his daughter; Maiktes 1's son (Anonymus 232) was the father of the future emperor Basilios 7; Basilios 7's mother (Pankalo 1) was the daughter of a noble and wealthy widow living at Adrianople who was supposedly descended from the emperor Constantine the Great (φήμη γάρ τις διέτρεχεν οὐ παντελῶς ἀμυδρὰ ἐκ τοῦ μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου ἕλκειν αὐτὴν τὴν συγγένειαν: Theoph. Cont. V 3, p. 215); Basilios 7 was therefore, according to Constantine, descended on his father's side from the Arsacids and on his mother's from the emperor Constantine and also, he adds, from Alexander (the Great): Theoph. Cont. V 2-3, cf. Zon. XVI 6.1 (a native of Macedonia, from the territory of Adrianopolis; his family was descended from the Arsacidae - ὃς ἐκ Μακεδονίας μὲν ἦν, ἔφυ δὲ πατέρων ἀσήμων καὶ ἀφανῶν, εἰ καί τις τῶν τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ ἐξιστορησάντων ἐκ τοῦ τῶν Ἀρσακιδῶν αὐτὸν γένους κατάγεσθαι τερατεύεται).

Basilios 7 was newly born when in 813 the Bulgar ruler Krum 1 captured Adrianopolis and carried the inhabitants off into captivity, among them Basilios 7's parents (Anonymus 232 and Pankalo 1) and the infant Basilios 7; during their captivity many of Basilios 7's kinsmen perished as martyrs for their Christian faith; eventually the ruler Moutragon (Omurtag 1), successor of Krum 1, agreed to release the captives and send them home; among them was Basilios 7, apparently still a child, who caught the attention of the Bulgar ruler; he gave him an apple and was very impressed by the child's demeanour and bearing: Theoph. Cont. V 4, cf. Zon. XVI 6.2-4 (carried off captive when Krum 1 captured Adrianopolis; he returned when a young man - {ἐφήβου). His parents and Basilios 7 returned home (πρὸς τὰ οἰκεῖα) with the other captives; about Basilios 7's childhood Constantine gives little information; he relates the story of how Basilios 7 was left sleeping in the fields while his parents helped with the harvest and how an eagle hovered over him repeatedly, so foretelling his future imperial destiny; he also tells how Basilios 7's father (Anonymus 232) was his teacher and his guide and how it was from him that Basilios acquired all the virtues of behaviour and conduct which later made him so well liked: Theoph. Cont. V 5-6, cf. Zon. XVI 6. 4-9 (story of the portent that while an infant asleep he was visited by an eagle).

The noble pedigree which Constantine records is presumably apocryphal, although Basilios 7 may well have had Armenian origins. The allusion to Christian martyrs in his family is probably also an attempt to provide him with some sort of religious pedigree. What seems clear is that his family was a peasant family and that he received no education other than what his father could give him; there is no allusion to any education in letters or the scriptures. When Basilios 7 was approaching manhood his father (Anonymus 232) died, leaving Basilios 7 as the sole provider for his mother and his brothers and sisters (ἡ πρόνοια τῆς μητρὸς καὶ τῶν ἀδελφῶν) (he was presumably therefore the eldest son); he was unable to provide adequately for them from farming (ἡ ἀπὸ γεωργίας ἐπικουρία μικρά τις καὶ ἀγεννὴς ἐδόκει αὐτῷ) and he therefore chose to make his way to Constantinople and seek his fortune there: Theoph. Cont. V 7 (p. 221), cf. 8 (his mother, at first unwilling to let him go, changed her mind after portentous dreams, in one of which the prophet Elijah foretold her son's imperial destiny), Zon. XVI 6. 10-11 (after his father died he was unable to support the family and so went to Constantinople seeking to enter someone's service).

According to the tradition derived from the Chronicle of Symeon the Logothete, Basilios 7 was a native of Macedonia, from the territory of Adrianopolis: Leo Gramm. 231, Georg. Mon. Cont. 817, Ps.-Symeon 655. He was born in the reign of Michael I Rhangabe (Michael 7) therefore in 811/813; Basilios 7 was carried off into captivity with his parents and many others by the Bulgars under Krum 1 when Adrianopolis was captured in the reign of Leo V (Leo 15) (the date of this event was 813): Leo Gramm. 231, Georg. Mon. Cont. 817. He remained under the Bulgars with the other captives through the reigns of Leo V (Leo 15) and Michael II (Michael 10): Leo Gramm. 233. He was twenty five years old when the captives returned under the reign of the emperor Theophilos 5 (and cf. Vladimir 1): Leo Gramm. 233, Georg. Mon. Cont. 819, Ps.-Symeon 655. The date was therefore 836/838.

Basilios 7 first sought to make a living in the service of the strategos of Macedonia, Tzantzes 1, but when he received no help from him he went to seek his fortune in Constantinople: Leo Gramm. 233, Georg. Mon. Cont. 819, Ps.-Symeon 655. These accounts imply that he was born c. 811/813 at or near Adrianoupolis in Thrace; was carried away captive with his family by the Bulgars when he was still an infant; grew up under the Bulgars but with his family in a community of Byzantine captives from Adrianoupolis; and eventually returned to live in the empire in c. 836/838. His future accession to the throne was supposedly foretold to the emperor Theophilos 5 by the patriarch Ioannes 5, using divination: Theoph. Cont. III 27 (p. 122), Genesius III 15.

Basilios 7 left Macedonia in Thrace (ἄρας οὖν ἐκ Μακεδονίας τῆς Θρᾴκης: Theoph. Cont. V 9, p. 223) for Constantinople in order to take service under some person of high rank and influence; he arrived weary and tired at the Golden Gate late in the day and sought rest close to the nearby monastery of St Diomedes; the hegoumenos (or prosmonarios) (see Nikolaos 6), allegedly moved by a dream in which it was prophesied that Basilios 7 would become emperor and would rebuild and extend the monastery, took him in and fed and clothed him; subsequently Basilios 7 was introduced by the hegoumenos (or by the hegoumenos's brother, according to the tradition from Symeon the Logothete; cf. Anonymus 40) to Theophilitzes (Theophilos 7; a relative of the emperor Michael III, Michael 11), who took him into his service to look after his horses; Basilios 7 was still a young man (τὸν νέηλυν νεανίαν: p. 225); in physical strength and in courage he stood out among the entourage of Theophilitzes (Theophilos 7), who made him his chief groom (πρωτοστράτορα αὑτοῦ πεποίηκεν ὁ Θεόφιλος: p. 225); described as strong and intelligent and quick to carry out his orders: Theoph. Cont. V 9 (pp. 223-225), cf. Leo Gramm. 233-234, Georg. Mon. Cont. 819-820, Ps.-Symeon 655-656, Zon. XVI 6.12-22 (who all tell the same story, with minor variations).

Basilios 7 was a sturdy fellow and had a very large head, and therefore Theophilitzes (Theophilos 7) gave him the nickname Kephalas: Leo Gramm. 234, Georg. Mon. Cont. 820, Ps.-Symeon 656. Described as handsome and tall and physically impressive, with long curly hair: Zon. XVI 6.22. Once at a banquet given by Antigonos 1 and Bardas 5 and attended by some Bulgar representatives who boasted of the prowess of one of their Bulgar wrestlers, Theophilos 7 recommended that Basilios 7 wrestle with the Bulgar champion; the kaisar Bardas 5 gave his approval and in the ensuing contest Basilios 7 had an easy triumph; his reputation grew as a result of this episode: Theoph. Cont. V 12 (pp. 229-230) (for the date, possibly 863/864, cf. Bardas 5; but cf. below).

When Theophilos 7 was once sent by Michael III (Michael 11) and Bardas 5 to Patras in the Peloponnesos on public business, Basilios 7 accompanied him as his assistant (συνῆν δὲ αὐτῷ καὶ ὁ Βασίλειος, εἰς τὴν ἀφορισθεῖσαν αὐτῷ δουλείαν καθυπουργῶν: Theoph. Cont. V 11, p. 226); as Basilios 7 entered the Church of St Andreas there to pray, a monk (Anonymus 233) rose up and acclaimed him in terms reserved for emperors; this fact was reported to a wealthy local lady, Danelis 1, who questioned the monk and was told by him that Basilios 7 would become a great emperor of the Romans anointed by Christ; Theophilos 7 completed his mission and returned to Constantinople, while Basilios 7, who was ill, remained behind for a time; on his recovery he was summoned to Danelis 1 and presented with rich gifts, a quantity of gold, thirty slaves to serve him and much wealth in the form of clothes and other materials; in return she at first asked for nothing more than that he would adopt her son Ioannes 221 as his spiritual brother; at first declining on the grounds of his own unworthiness, he later agreed; she then told him of the prophecy that God would raise him to great heights and made him promise not to forget her; he then returned to Constantinople where he continued to serve his master Theophilos 7, but used the wealth which he had just received to purchase great estates in Macedonia (κτήματα κατὰ Μακεδονίαν μεγάλα) and to enrich his relatives and make himself wealthy and prosperous: Theoph.Cont. V 11 (pp. 226-228).

On one occasion, when the emperor Michael 11 had difficulty with a horse, Theophilitzes (Theophilos 7) recommended Basilios 7 to him as a man of great experience and courage in dealing with horses and a koubikoularios was sent to fetch him, from the Iron Gate (sic; this may be a reference to the Chalke (but the "Iron Gate" was the elevated walk-way that connected the Imperial Palace to the Great Church; however, the Iron Gate too would have had guards) if so, Basilios 7 perhaps served under Theophilitzes at the Chalke); Basilios 7 controlled the animal and the emperor Michael 11 promptly sent Basilios 7 to the hetairiarch Andreas 17 to enrol him in the hetairia and employ him among the horses: Leo Gramm. 230 (τοῦ εἶναι εἰς τὴν ἑταιρίαν καὶ δουλεύειν ἐν τοῖς ἵπποις αὐτοῦ), Georg. Mon. Cont. 817, Ps.-Symeon 655 (similar texts), Zon. XVI 6.23-30 (recommended by Theophilitzes (Theophilos 7) as a man capable of handling the horse, he managed to do so and was enrolled by the emperor among the imperial grooms (τοῖς βασιλικοῖς ἱπποκόμοις); later he became protostrator).

This story is told differently in the Life of Basilios by Constantine Porphyrogenitus; the emperor Michael III had a high-spirited horse which escaped from him while out hunting and no-one could catch it until Basilios 7, who happened to be present with Theophilitzes (Theophilos 7), tried and succeeded; the emperor then took him from Theophilitzes (Theophilos 7) and enrolled him among the imperial stratores (εἰς τοὺς βασιλικοὺς κατέταξε στράτορας: V 13, p. 231); he performed his tasks so well that Michael eventually raised him to the position of protostrator (εἰς τὴν τοῦ πρωτοστράτορος ἀξίαν ἐβίβασε: V 13, p. 231): Theoph. Cont. V 13 (pp. 230-231). Basilios 7 was presumably employed as a strator, to begin with, under the hetairiarch Andreas 17, and later rose to become protostrator. He became protostrator in 856, when his predecessor in the office (Anonymus 44) conspired with the empress Theodora 2 to murder Bardas 5; the plot was discovered, the protostrator (Anonymus 44) was executed with others involved, and Basilios 7 was appointed in his place (προβάλλεται τὸν Βασίλειον Μιχαὴλ ἀντὶ τοῦ τελευτήσαντος πρωτοστράτορα): Leo Gramm. 237, cf. Georg. Mon. Cont. 823-824, Ps.-Symeon 658.

Basilios 7 became a great favourite of the emperor Michael III (Michael 11): Leo Gramm. 239, Georg. Mon. Cont. 825, Ps.-Symeon 666, cf. Zon. XVI 6. 31 (this aroused the jealosy of Bardas 5). Once when accompanying the emperor and kaisar Bardas 5 out hunting at Philopation in his role as protostrator, he spectacularly killed a huge wolf with an imperial mace (the bardoukion); the kaisar Bardas 5 allegedly took this as an omen that he would destroy the imperial family; he had already been pointed out to Bardas 5 as the man who would destroy them by Leo 19 (the philosopher): Theoph. Cont. V 14 (pp. 231-232). While protostrator he supposedly attended a banquet given by the emperor with the empress mother Theodora 2 present, at which his appearance alarmed Theodora 2 into prophesying that he was the man who would destroy the imperial family because he had all the characteristics once described to her by her husband, the emperor Theophilos 5, as belonging to the man who would overthrow their dynasty; the warning was ignored by the emperor Michael III (Michael 11), who shortly elevated Basilios 7 to the post of parakoimomenos (παρακοιμώμενον αὐτὸν προεβάλετο); this only increased the tension between Basilios 7 and Bardas 5: Theoph. Cont. V 15 (pp. 233-234), Zon. XVI 7. 1-4.

Basilios 7 succeeded Damianos 2 as parakoimomenos when Damianos 2 was dismissed after offending the Kaisar Bardas 5 (καὶ τῇ αὐτῇ ἡμέρᾳ προβάλλεται τὸν πρωτοστράτορα Βασίλειον παρακοιμώμενον): Leo Gramm. 242, cf. Georg. Mon. Cont. 827, Ps.-Symeon 675, Theoph. Cont. V 16 (p. 235). He was also at this time given the title of patrikios: Theoph. Cont. V 16 (p. 235) (τιμήσας αὐτὸν καὶ πατρίκιον). He was parakoimomenos: Leo Gramm. 245, Georg. Mon. Cont. 832, Ps.-Symeon 679, Theoph. Cont. IV 41 (p. 206) (in 866). He was patrikios and parakoimomenos on 21 April, 866 (when Bardas 5 was murdered; see below): Theoph. Cont. V 17 (p. 237), cf. Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 537A-B (cited below).

It was while parakoimomenos that Basilios 7 bought from Arsaber 5 the villa on the European shore of the Bosporos where Ioannes 5 had once performed his divination rites; he converted it into a monastery named after St Phocas: Theoph. Cont. IV 8 (p. 157) (Βασίλειον τὸν τηνικαῦτα παρακοιμώμενον). Perhaps at this time the emperor Michael III (Michael 11) made him dismiss his wife Maria 5 and take instead as his legal wife the emperor's own mistress, Eudokia Ingerina (Eudokia 2); Michael 11 also gave him his own sister Thekla 1 as his mistress (τοῦ ἔχειν αὐτὴν ἰδίως): Leo Gramm. 242, Georg. Mon. Cont. 828, Ps.-Symeon 675, Theoph. Cont. V 16 (p. 235). He grew daily in favour with the emperor and roused the envy of the Kaisar Bardas 5: Theoph. Cont. V 16 (p. 235).

Basilios 7 and Bardas 5 are said now each to have plotted to kill the other; Basilios 7 supposedly told the emperor Michael 11 that Bardas 5 was plotting against him and, when the emperor rejected the allegation, Basilios 7 suborned the son-in-law of Bardas, Symbatios 1, to persuade Michael 11; judging it impossible (supposedly) to murder Bardas 5 in Constantinople they planned an expedition to Crete to get him away and kill him; at the Feast of the Annunciation the emperor and Basilios 7 swore solemn oaths that Bardas 5 need have no fear of going on the expedition; when the expedition was at Kepoi in the Thrakesion theme (on the coast, at the mouth of the Maeander; see Ramsay, Historical Geography, p. 111), Basilios 7 schemed with his brother Marianos 4, Petros 32 the Bulgar, Ioannes 89 the Chaldee and Konstantinos 39 Toxaras to assassinate Bardas 5; he greeted Bardas 5 with all respect when he came to the emperor's tent, until he asked Michael 11 to give the order to sail for Crete; then Basilios 7, who stood behind him, struck him down and Bardas 5 was then cut to pieces: Leo Gramm. 242-245, Georg. Mon. Cont. 828-831, Ps.-Symeon 675-679, cf. Theoph. Cont. IV 41 (p. 206) (he encouraged the waverers to carry out their plan to kill Bardas 5), V 17 (pp. 237-238) (the conspirators delayed in fear until at the emperor's request Basilios 7 encouraged their resolve; they then assassinated Bardas 5), Zon. XVI 7. 9-14. The date was 21 April 866 (indiction 14): Theoph. Cont. IV 41 (p. 206), V 17 (p. 238). According to Zonaras it was after this that Michael III (Michael 11) gave his former mistress Eudokia 2 to Basilios 7 as his wife: Zon. XVI 7.15.

Immediately after the expedition had returned to Constantinople following the murder of Bardas 5, Basilios 7 was adopted as his son by Michael 11 and given the title of magistros: Theoph. Cont. IV 43 (p. 207) (τόν τε Βασίλειον ... υἱοποιεῖται καὶ τῆς τῶν μαγίστρων τιμῆς ἀξιοῖ), V 18 (p. 238) (similar text). Then, when soon afterwards it became evident that the emperor lacked the capacity to administer the affairs of state, now that the kaisar was dead, Michael 11 proclaimed Basilios 7 as his co-emperor and crowned him in Hagia Sophia on Pentecost Sunday, 26 May, 866 (indiction 14); Basilios 7 then assumed the effective control of the government: Theoph. Cont. IV 43 (p. 207), V 18 (pp. 239-240). According to the Chronicle tradition the emperor and Basilios 7 returned to Constantinople after the murder of Bardas 5 and Basilios 7 was proclaimed co-emperor with Michael 11, on the Sunday of Pentecost; at the ceremony he and Symbatios 1 were credited with saving the emperor from the plots of Bardas 5: Leo Gramm. 245-247, Georg. Mon. Cont. 832-833, Ps.-Symeon 679-680. The same tradition is used in the Life of Ignatios; it was Pentecost when the emperor returned to Constantinople and he proclaimed the patrikios and parakoimomenos Basilios 7 as emperor - Πεντηκοστὴ δ'ἄρ' ἦν καὶ Βασίλειον πατρίκιον ὄντα καὶ παρακοιμώμενον, στέμματι κατακοσμήσας, ἀναγορεύει βασιλέα: Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 537A-B. He was proclaimed emperor in the Great Church and crowned by the patriarch Photios 1: Zon. XVI 7.16 (εἶτα καὶ βασιλέα τοῦτον ἀνεῖπεν αὐτὸς ἐν τῇ μεγάλῃ παραγενόμενος ἐκκλησίᾳ καὶ διὰ τοῦ πατριάρχου Φωτίου περιθεὶς αὐτῷ τὸ διάδημα).

Basilios 7 and Michael III (Michael 11) ruled together for one year and four months: Leo Gramm. 228, 253, Georg. Mon. Cont. 811, 839, Ps.- Symeon 647. He is said to have avoided the chariot racing and the low company of Grylos (Theophilos 8) and others so favoured by Michael 11: Theoph. Cont. IV 43 (p. 207). An incident at a banquet involving Basiliskianos 1 is said to have provoked Basilios 7 to plot to kill Michael 11: Leo Gramm. 249-250, Georg. Mon. Cont. 835-836, Ps.-Symeon 682-683, Zon. XVI 7. 19-24. In 867 Basilios 7 and his allies (cf. Ioannes 89) murdered the emperor Michael III (Michael 11) in his bedchamber and Basilios 7 was proclaimed sole ruler: Leo Gramm. 250-252, Georg. Mon. Cont. 836-838, Ps.-Symeon 684-686, Zon. XVI 7. 25-29. Michael 11 was unhappy with him and plotted his death, but was himself assassinated first, on 23 September, 867: Theoph. Cont. IV 44 (pp. 208-210). He is said to have become emperor when the treasury was almost empty and valuable golden treasures were about to be melted down: Theoph. Cont. IV 21 (p. 173), Scyl., p. 97. He became emperor on the death of Michael III (Michael 11): Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 540A (αὐτοκράτωρ ἀναγορεύετο); Vita Nic. Stud. 913B. He became sole emperor (αὐτοκρατώρ) on 24th September of the first indiction (24 September 867): Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 540A.

Successor of Michael III (Michael 11), Basilios 7 was in turn succeeded by Leo VI (Leo 25): Chron. 1234, §229 (II, p. 40). Basilios 7 was the husband of Eudokia 2: Vita Nic. Stud. 913D. A son, Leo 25, was born by Eudokia 2 shortly after her marriage to Basilios 7; since she was pregnant at the time of the marriage the father was said to have been Michael 11, not Basilios 7: Zon. XVI 7.17. Basilios 7 was the husband of Eudokia 2 (τῆς αὐτοῦ γαμετῆς) and they had four sons (παίδων), Konstantinos 141, Leo 25, Alexandros 10 and Stephanos (see PBE II): Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 565D. Basilios 7 was also the father also of Anastasia, Anna, Helene and Maria (PBE II): Const. Porph., Cer. II 42 (Reiske 648-649).

Basilios 7 succeeded Michael III (Michael 11) as emperor in the year 1174 Sel. (862/863) and reigned for five years: Bar Hebr., p. 146. He died in the year 1194 Sel. (882/883) and was succeeded by his son Leo 25: Bar Hebr., p. 149.

His story is also told in Genesius. It was foretold by Leo 19 the philosopher that Bardas 5 would fall and be succeeded by Basilios 7; Bardas 5 began then to suspect him: Genesius IV 22. After the murder of Bardas 5 (in 865) the expedition to Crete returned to Constantinople: Genesius IV 23. Basilios 7 claimed to be descended from the Parthian Arsaces who had seized the Assyrian empire for himself, and more recently from Tiridates, as well as from the Macedonians Philip and Alexander; he was himself born in Macedonia, of distinguished parents, and had an heroic upbringing; his mother remembered portents of her son's future greatness (Genesius records her dream of a tree, the story of the eagle, and the old man's fiery prophecy); Basilios 7 entered Constantinople through the Golden Gate and took shelter first in the monastery of the martyr Diomedes: Genesius IV 24. He was given shelter in the monastery at the invitation of a monk, or possibly of the hegoumenos, who had seen a vision of St Diomedes; he later rewarded the monastery: Genesius IV 25. While at the monastery he met Theophiliskos (Theophilos 1) and entered his service; Basilios's physical strength was impressive and he attracted the attention of Antigonos 1 and Konstantinos 41, who enabled him to demonstrate his abilities at wrestling, at which he easily defeated a champion; he then came to the notice of the emperor himself who took him into his service; the empress Theodora 2 expressed dismay when she saw him and judged him a future threat to the throne; he was made head of the imperial hippokomoi (πρωτοστάτης ... τῶν ἱπποκόμων) and after controlling one of Michael 11's favourite horses grew in the emperor's favour; he was next made patrikios, given a noble lady, the daughter of Inger (i.e. Eudokia 2), in marriage, adopted by the emperor as his son, then made magistros and according to some put in charge of the guards of the imperial bedchamber; he eventually secured the throne itself (ὡς καὶ τῇ τῶν πατρικίων εὐκλείᾳ συντόμως προσεμπελάσαι, γαμετῇ τε συναρμοσθῆναι κοσμιωτάτῃ τῶν εὐγενίδων ἐξ Ἴγγερος, υἱόν τε θετὸν ἐπὶ πᾶσι βασιλέως ὀνομασθῆναι, εἶτα μάγιστρον, καὶ παρὰ τῷ κοιτῶνι τῶν προσυπνούντων φυλάκων προτιμηθῆναι κατά τινας, καὶ μετὰ βραχὺ τὴν βασίλειον εὐδοξίαν κληρώσασθαι): Genesius IV 26.

Basilios 7 was publicly crowned and proclaimed second to the emperor in a ceremony in the Great Church at Pentecost, on 26 May, of indiction 14 (στεφηφόρον ἄνακτα λαοῖς ἀναδείκνυσι, μηνὶ Μαΐῳ κσ', ἰνδικτιῶνος ιδ', καὶ τῆς κατὰ δευτερείαν αὐτῷ βασιλείας τὰ πρόσφορα δίδωσιν); previously, in a private room in the palace, Basilios 7 had received a scourging from the emperor, allegedly as a proof of his affection: Genesius IV 27.

Allegations soon began among the supporters of Michael 11 and Basilios 7 that each was plotting against the other; when Basilios 7 refused to waver in his loyalty, his followers allegedly took steps to murder the emperor to protect themselves in the event of Basilios 7's death: Genesius IV 28.

Basilios 7 restored the Church of the Archangels and received there the imperial crown from the patriarch; he also crowned three of his sons, Konstantinos 141, Leo 25 and Alexandros 10, and consecrated his fourth son Stephanos (see PBE II) as priest with a view to making him patriarch in due course: Genesius IV 29.

For further references, see Vita Euthymii (BHG 651; ed. de Boor; ed. Karlin-Hayter) 1 (his death; and his origin; from Macedonia, of Armenian descent); 7; 8; Vita Irenae Chrysobalanton (BHG 952) p. 52 (usurped the throne from Michael); Vita Hilarionis 33-44 (pp. 262- 269) (in Latin translation by P. Peeters, Analecta Bollandiana 32 (1913), 241ff.) (Basilios 7 had the relics of the saint interred in Constantinople, in the monastery of the Iberians).

For the course of his reign and for his death, following an accident while out hunting, on 29 August 886, see PBE II.

For seals from Basilios 7's reign, see Zacos and Veglery 57, 58, 59a-d, Schlumberger, Sigillographie, p. 419, Barnea, in Studii si Cercetari de Istorie Veche 17, 1966, pp. 277-297, Likhachev, "Nekotorie", p. 535-6}, Laurent, Orghidan, 3.

See further ODB I, p. 260 and PmbZ 832 (Band I, p. 280) for modern literature, and add Shaun Tougher, "Michael III and Basil the Macedonian: just good friends?" in Desire and Denial in Byzantium, ed. Liz James, pp. 149-158.

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