Basil II and the Governance of Empire (976-1025)

Oxford Studies in Byzantium

by Catherine Holmes

This is the first book-length study in English of the Byzantine emperor Basil II, the "Bulgar-slayer." Basil presided over a Byzantium which was the superpower of the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East in the century before the Crusades. Catherine Holmes peels away the layers of later interpretations to reveal an empire that was governed by a potent mixture of subtle persuasion and brute force.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

640 pages, Hardcover

First published November 24, 2005

Reviews

[Alberto Martín de Hijas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estudio biográfico de la vida del emperador Basilio II. Un repaso muy completo a todo lo que se conoce de su vida que, lamentablemente no es mucho pero suficiente como para ser conscientes de la importancia del personaje. Me ha parecido muy interesante, pero el 80-90% del libro es un análisis de las fuentes sobre el reinado de Basilio (mayormente el Skylitzes Matritensis y la crónica de Yahya de Antioquía) lo que puede hacer que sea un texto un poco árido para los que no tengan un cierto conocimiento del período Bizantino.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would say it's more a detailed historiographical book (relating to the study of history) than a narrative history you'd find in a bookstore. It fixates a lot on source analysis: With an analytical narrative at the end. It's interesting to see the threads she pulls upon and expands on, the main discoveries I've discussed in the paragraphs below. I would only recommend reading this book if you've got some knowledge on his reign, even if simply reading his Wikipedia page: Preferably right before reading to get it fresh in your mind.

I found it quite an interest read because she takes you into different regions, periods, and types of sources to analyse. Be it the Balkans, Syria, studying medieval literature or lead seals discovered with archaelogy. All to figure out mysteries from many periods lacking sources. Her challenging of previous modern conceptions also allow for a newer and I believe more accurate perspective on the reign.

Take for example: Challenging old narratives such as: The land-owning Dynatoi vs the Emperor's authority, in favour of an Emperor vs Military Officers. The main source she fixates on is the medieval text Synopsis Historion by John Skylitzes, whose biases from the author's background, late 1000's context, writing style etc. impact how we see Basil's reign, with no better sources available.

She paints Basil as brutal and autocratic in his rhetoric and certain actions, but also a diplomatic leader, and flexible, pragmatic and autonomous in the management of the empire's frontiers. She asserts that his leadership gave robust structures for successors to follow, and the changing circumstances such as the arrival of the Normans, Pechenegs and Seljuks should have been addressed by the later leaders more effectively, who lived in a context far different to Basil's.

Her key point on his character - his loneliness, highlighted at the end, really helped pull many of the strings she discussed together in an interesting frame as well. Very impressed by her analysis more broadly too.

Regardless of the book's analytical focus, I would still recommend it for anyone interested in Basil II's reign or Byzantium more generally, and obviously to people interested in how history is studied, analysed, and debated. It's a great study.

[Spyros · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book with an analysis revolving around the sources which have to do with the reign of the Eastern Roman emperor Basil II. It’s definitely not suggested as an entry book for Basil’s II history. Someone needs to have substantial background knowledge about the history and historiography of that era in order to appreciate the contents of this book.