Basil Lekapenos
Encyclopedia
Basil Lekapenos was the chief administrator of the Byzantine Empire
from 945 until 985.
An illegitimate son of the emperor Romanos I Lekapenos, he was castrated when young.
In about 945, around the time his father was deposed, Basil was appointed parakoimomenos
by Emperor Constantine VII
, his brother-in-law. He retained this position under emperors Romanos II
, Nikephoros II
, John Tzimisces.
As head of the Imperial administration, he amassed a large personal fortune. Reportedly, this led to tension with John Tzimisces shortly before the Emperor's death in 976. According to some sources, Basil poisoned the Emperor.
He continued in office in the early reign of Basil II
but in 985 the young Emperor - wishing to assume the government himself after being dominated by regents and caretaker emperors for thirty years - accused him of sympathizing with the rebel Bardas Phokas and removed Basil from power. All his lands and possessions were confiscated and all laws issued under his administration were declared null and void. Basil Lekapenos himself was exiled and died shortly afterwards.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
from 945 until 985.
An illegitimate son of the emperor Romanos I Lekapenos, he was castrated when young.
In about 945, around the time his father was deposed, Basil was appointed parakoimomenos
Parakoimomenos
The parakoimōmenos was a Byzantine court position, usually reserved for eunuchs. Many of its holders, especially in the 9th and 10th centuries, functioned as the Byzantine Empire's chief ministers.-History and functions:...
by Emperor Constantine VII
Constantine VII
Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos or Porphyrogenitus, "the Purple-born" was the fourth Emperor of the Macedonian dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, reigning from 913 to 959...
, his brother-in-law. He retained this position under emperors Romanos II
Romanos II
Romanos II was a Byzantine emperor. He succeeded his father Constantine VII in 959 at the age of twenty-one, and died suddenly in 963.-Life:...
, Nikephoros II
Nikephoros II
Nikephoros II Phokas was a Byzantine Emperor whose brilliant military exploits contributed to the resurgence of Byzantine Empire in the tenth century.-Early exploits:...
, John Tzimisces.
As head of the Imperial administration, he amassed a large personal fortune. Reportedly, this led to tension with John Tzimisces shortly before the Emperor's death in 976. According to some sources, Basil poisoned the Emperor.
He continued in office in the early reign of Basil II
Basil II
Basil II , known in his time as Basil the Porphyrogenitus and Basil the Young to distinguish him from his ancestor Basil I the Macedonian, was a Byzantine emperor from the Macedonian dynasty who reigned from 10 January 976 to 15 December 1025.The first part of his long reign was dominated...
but in 985 the young Emperor - wishing to assume the government himself after being dominated by regents and caretaker emperors for thirty years - accused him of sympathizing with the rebel Bardas Phokas and removed Basil from power. All his lands and possessions were confiscated and all laws issued under his administration were declared null and void. Basil Lekapenos himself was exiled and died shortly afterwards.