Macedonian dynasty facts for kids

Basil I, a powerful emperor, shown in a 12th-century book called the Madrid Skylitzes.

The Macedonian dynasty (in Greek: Μακεδονική Δυναστεία) was a family of emperors who ruled the Byzantine Empire from 867 to 1056. They came after the Amorian dynasty. During their time, the Byzantine Empire grew to its largest size since the early Muslim conquests. This period also saw a rebirth of art and learning, known as the Macedonian Renaissance. The dynasty got its name from its founder, Basil I the Macedonian, who came from a region called Macedonia.

Who Started the Dynasty?

The exact background of the dynasty's founder, Basil I, is not fully known. People have debated where his family came from. During Basil's rule, a special family history was created. It claimed his family were not just ordinary farmers, but descendants of ancient kings from Armenia, and even Alexander the Great and Constantine the Great. Some writers from Persia called Basil a Saqlabi. This word often meant Slavs, but it could also describe people living between Constantinople and Bulgaria.

Because of this, some historians believe Basil I might have been of Armenian or Slavic background. However, it is hard to be completely sure about his family's origins. What we do know is that Basil relied a lot on the support of Armenians who held important positions in the Byzantine Empire.

Important Rulers of the Dynasty

Here are some of the key emperors and empresses from the Macedonian dynasty:

• Basil I (ruled 867–886) – He was the founder of the dynasty. He married Eudokia Ingerina. Basil died in a hunting accident.
• Leo VI the Wise (ruled 886–912) – He was the son of Eudokia Ingerina and the legal son of Basil I. He was a very learned emperor. His marriages caused some disagreements within the church. His wife, Zoe Karbonopsina, later ruled as regent for their son, Constantine VII.
• Alexander (ruled 912–913) – He was Basil I's son and briefly ruled after Leo VI.
• Constantine VII (ruled 913–920 and 945-959) – He was the son of Leo VI. He married Helena, the daughter of Romanos Lekapenos. He was known for his writings and learning.
• Romanos I Lekapenos (ruled 920–944) – He became a powerful co-emperor in 920. He was later removed from power in 944.
• Romanos II (ruled 959–963) – He was the son of Constantine VII.
• Nikephoros II Phokas (ruled 963–969) – He was a very successful general. He married Romanos II's widow and became regent for the young Basil II. He was later killed.
• John I Tzimiskes (ruled 969–976) – He was another successful general and related to Romanos II. He became regent for the young emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII.
• Basil II (ruled 976–1025) – Known as "the Bulgar-slayer," he was the son of Romanos II. He was one of the most powerful Byzantine emperors.
• Constantine VIII (ruled 1025–1028) – He was the son of Romanos II and ruled alongside his brother Basil II for many years. He became sole emperor after Basil's death.
• Zoe (ruled 1028–1050) – She was the daughter of Constantine VIII and a powerful empress.
• Romanos III Argyros (ruled 1028–1034) – He was Zoe's first husband and became emperor after marrying her. He died in 1034.
• Michael IV the Paphlagonian (ruled 1034–1041) – He was Zoe's second husband and became emperor after Romanos III.
• Michael V (ruled 1041–1042) – He was Michael IV's nephew and Zoe's adopted son. He ruled only for a short time.
• Theodora (ruled 1042 and 1055–1056) – She was the daughter of Constantine VIII and ruled alongside Zoe for a period. She later returned to power as sole empress.
• Constantine IX Monomachos (ruled 1042–1055) – He was Zoe's third husband and became emperor after marrying her.

End of the Dynasty

• Michael VI (ruled 1056–1057) – He was chosen by Empress Theodora to rule. However, he later stepped down and became a monk. This marked the end of the Macedonian dynasty's direct rule.

Family Connections

The Macedonian dynasty had many important family connections through marriages and children. Here are some of the main family links:

• Basil I (813–886)
  • From his marriage to Maria:
    • Constantine (865–878), who was a co-emperor with his father.
  • From his marriage to Empress Eudokia Ingerina:
    • Leo VI the Wise (866–912)
      • Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (905–959), who married Helena Lekapene.

* Romanos II (938–963) ** From his marriage to Theophano: *** Basil II (957–1025) *** Constantine VIII (961–1028), who married Helena, daughter of Alypius. **** Zoe (978–1050), who married Romanos III Argyros, Michael IV the Paphlagonian, and Constantine IX Monomachos. **** Theodora (980–1056) *** Anna Porphyrogeneta (963–1011), who married Vladimir I of Kiev.

• • • Stephen I (867–893), who became the Patriarch of Constantinople.
    • Alexander (870–913)

See also

• Lekapenos
• Phokas (Byzantine family)
• Byzantine Empire under the Macedonian dynasty