Hello everyone and welcome to the history of Byzantium. Episode 153. Basil, the second.

You may have noticed that the last few episodes have been named after the men who tried to

take control of Byzantium away from Basil II. I've deliberately not introduced the emperor

until today, when he finally stands alone as master of Romania. Basil II was born in 958. The

son of Romanus II, son of Constantine VII, son of Leo VI, son of Basil I. He was the eldest

of three children, and at the age of five his father unexpectedly died. The next 12 months would

have been a confusing time. Niceferas' focus moved into the palace, married his mother Theofano,

and became his stepfather. We have no idea what kind of relationship focus had with his step children,

or whether he had any kind of intimacy with their mother. But the white death was a fixture

in Basil's life from the age of five to fourteen, a very impressionable time.

Focus was a deeply impressive figure, the first true Roman conqueror since Heraclius. His triumphs

through the streets of Constantinople would have impressed young Basil. Later in life,

the emperor would adopt some of the same habits as the great general. He too would become a

micro-managing military commander and stern disciplinarian with ascetic habits. Perhaps Basil

imitated his stepfather, perhaps he simply adopted traits that had proven successful for an emperor

general. There must always have been tension in the palace. Although Basil and his siblings were

treated like royalty, they were also kept away from power. It's interesting to think that a young

bardess focus probably met the princes several times during this period. The thought that perhaps one

day the Macedonians would be dispensed with must have crossed their minds. Helping to keep this

thought at bay was their great uncle, Le Capi Nos. He would have acted very much like their

grandfather and presumably tried to assure them that this was still the Macedonian family business,

even if we currently have a magnate CEO. The murder of focus by Zemiskees was an alarming

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