Basil II was a Byzantine Emperor who ruled from January 10, 976 to December 15, 1025. Under him the Byzantine Empire reached it's greatest strength in about 5 centuries. At the beginning of his reign Basil II put an end to internal rebellions and problems that was going on in the Byzantine Empire. After that he began military campaigns against the Bulgarians and the Khazars. During the campaign against the Bulgarians, Basil II famously captured 15,000 men blinded 99 of every 100 men. Thus leaving 150 one-eyed men to lead the rest back to their ruler who fainted at the sight and eventually died two days later from a stroke. This feat gave him the nickname of Boulgaroktonos which means "the Bulgar-slayer".


The Byzantine Empire at the death of Basil II: