Basil II (958?-1025) was Byzantine (East Roman) emperor from 976 until his death. He was called the “Bulgar Slayer” because he conquered the Bulgarians. Under Basil, the Byzantine Empire recaptured much territory and reached its greatest size since the mid-500’s.
Basil and his younger brother, Constantine, succeeded to the throne as children in 963, upon the death of their father, Romanus II. Regents ruled in their place. In 976, after the death of their second regent, Basil became ruler in name. But his great-uncle held power until 985, when Basil seized control.
Basil’s first campaign against Bulgaria, in 986, ended in failure. But Basil continued his efforts and finally completed the conquest of Bulgaria in 1018. His army also regained territory in eastern Asia Minor, mainly in what is now Turkey. Next, Basil planned to reconquer Sicily, but he died before he could carry out that campaign.
