Death of Basil II

November 15, 1025

The Bulgar-slaying Byzantine emperor who had nearly doubled the empire's territory died unmarried and childless after a fifty-year reign. His treasury overflowed with silver ingots. Within fifty years his unworthy successors would squander the strategic gains and leave Anatolia open to the Seljuks. No Byzantine emperor after him would ever again command such wealth, such territory, or such unquestioned authority over the eastern Mediterranean.