Basil Basileus: 4. Trajan's gate

by Spyros Theocharis, Eilleen Stephenson (editor), Zachary D. Blount (contributor)

In the fourth part of “Basil Basileus”, the return of Nikephoros Ouranos shifts the balance of power in the palace of Constantinople.

Emperor Basil II's most trusted advisor narrates the events in a crucial historical point during which two factions are ready to compete against the imperial authority for the control of the Empire of the Romans. One faction is led by Basil Lekapenos, the President of the Senate and the other one by Bardas Phokas and the Anatolian aristocracy.

Emperor Basil is ready to deal with both of them in order to take control of the administration and the military. His choices regarding the foreign policy of the Roman state in the East, will trigger a dramatic series of events with uncertain consequences. Ariadne, the only woman that Basil ever loved, plays a crucial role in Basil’s dillemma of seeking glory in the East or the West.

Trying to find her, Basil will soon discover that a new power has risen in Europe under Lord Samuel of the Bulgarians


Note from the backcover of the book

“Being the only medieval European empire which lasted for over than a thousand years, Byzantium is an ideal setting for the artistic depiction of human conflict for power and authority. The story of Basil II, which Chrysavgi and Spyros continue to visualize with their colourful imagination and creative writing, is filled with such conflicts. The reception of the texts and the material culture of Byzantium through the constantly evolving art of graphic novels can only thrill readers and Byzantinists alike.”

Dr. Irene-Sophia Kiapidou
Associate Professor of Byzantine Philology Department of Greek Philology
University of Patras

66 pages, Paperback

Published June 27, 2024

Reviews

[Jarod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never has the editor done better, and edition 4 sits prestigious as the longest Basil Basileus yet (pray it's a good sign). It features Nikephoros Ouranos as the narrator. Future editions may fix the few grammatical errors (as well as the misprinted 63rd page I got that cut off some dialogue), or maybe there won't be future editions. I find the visuals of this series more photorealistic and superior to those found in, let's say, Marvel's adaptation of The Last of the Mohicans, and the storytelling is superb, bespeaking intimate knowledge of primary and secondary sources from the time period (including the impossible-to-find ones). Vote also with thine wallet.

[Eileen Iciek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting continuation of the graphic novel series on the Byzantine emperor, Basil II. Trajan's Gate was a battle that he lost before finally defeating the Bulgarians. The novel's artwork is again spectacular with faithful (so far as archaeologists can tell) depictions of Constantinople as well as the vivid battle scenes.

Highly recommended!

[Ανταιος Γεω · Rating 5 out of 5]

Όσο πάει γίνεται και καλύτερο!!!