Basil I

Basil I, known as the Macedonian, who was born in 811 and died on 29 August 886, ruled as Byzantine emperor from 867 to 886 and founded the Macedonian dynasty. Coming from humble peasant origins in the theme of Macedonia, he rose to prominence by gaining the favor of Emperor Michael III and married Michael's mistress Eudokia Ingerina on the emperor's orders; in 866 Michael proclaimed him co-emperor, and the following year Basil orchestrated Michael's assassination to become sole ruler. Despite lacking formal education, Basil proved an effective monarch, undertaking a complete overhaul of Byzantine law that led to the law code known as the Basilika; militarily he subjugated the heretical Paulicians in 872 and pursued an active western policy, allying with the Carolingian emperor Louis II against Arab forces, which renewed Byzantine dominance in Italy. He had several children, including Constantine, who predeceased him, Alexander, and Leo VI, who succeeded him and was rumored, though never proven, to be Michael III's biological son despite Basil being his legal father. Basil died from complications following a hunting accident in 886.