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16 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Death of Romanos II, Basil's father |
963 |
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Basil was too young to take over at that time, when did he take power? |
976 |
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What initial problems did he face? |
-Powerful aristocratic elites in Anatolia were able to seriously challenge the emperor -Powerful Fatimid Caliphate in the east a major rival of the Byzantine Empire -Resurgent new Bulgar Empire under Tsar Samuel |
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Key dates and events of Skleros' rebellion
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976 - Skleros (a powerful military elite) rebels 977 - An army sent by Basil is defeated by Skleros 978/9 - Phokas is chosen by Basil to defeat Skleros 979 - Battle of Charsianon - Phokas defeats Skleros with the help of 12,000 Georgians sent by David III, Skleros flees to the Bugid Caliphate |
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Key dates and events of Phokas' rebellion |
-985 - Bardas Phokas rises up against Basil II -986 - Skleros returns from exile to support Phokas 987-8 - Phokas takes control of most of Asia Minor, pushes to Abydos 988 - Abydos and Chrysopolis attacked by Phokas 989 - Basil II forms an alliance with Prince Vladimir of Rus, who sends 6,000 soldiers to Basil's aid 989 - Battle of Abydos - BII personally leads the Byzantine forces to victory |
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Key points of Basil's consolidation of power |
-The defeat of two major rebellions cemented him as emperor -The removal of Basil Lekapenus, a highly powerful and infuential eunuch put BII in full control -The brutal punishment of Phokas and his supporters sent a message to any potential enemies -Seriously curbed the power of the eastern elites - prev emperorss unable to do this |
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What measures did Basil II take to ensure loyalty to him? |
-Promotion of new loyal men to powerful positions, e.g. Nikephorus Ouranos -Recruitment of foreign mercenaries like the Viking Rus - as long as they were paid they remained loyal |
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What evidence is there of Basil's newly consolidated power? |
-Took full control of military campaigns from 989 -His ability to curb the power of the powerful andn wealthy Anatolian aristocracy |
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What is an example of a primary source on Basil II? |
Biography of Basil II by Michael Psellus in his 'Chronographia' |
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Date and events of Fatimid wars |
-985 - Fatimids attack Syria, beaten back by a force lead by Phokas -994/5 - Basil personally lead armies in the east as a response to Byzantine defeats - pushes the Fatimids back to Allepo without fighting a battle 998/9 - another Byzantine defeat prompts Basil's intervention, again quickly beats back the Fatimids |
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Dates of the peace treaties signed with the Fatimids |
1001,1011,1023 |
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Key dates and events in Mesopotamia and Caucasia |
-990 - BII defeats David III of Georgia - forced to cede territory on his death
-992/3 - Basil attacks Marwanid territories and defeats them, forced to pay an annual tribute -1021-2 - several kingdoms submit peacefully to the Byzantine Empire for protection |
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Which Caucasian kingdoms peacefully submitted to Byzantine Rule? |
-King George of Abasgia -King Senekerin following Turkish raids -John-Smbat of Armenia |
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What do these submissions indicate about the Byzantine Empire |
-Seen as a powerful force again which can defend itself -Improved reputation |
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Key dates and events in the Balkans |
-976 - new Bulgar Empire establishes under Tsar Samuel -986 - Basil personally led an initially succesful campaign against the Bulgars, ended in disaster at the battle of the Gates of Trajan 990s - series of minor raids against the Bulgars - damaging but not a serious attack on the Bulgar Empire -997 - battle of River Spercheios - Byzantine army defeated a bulgarian army in the Balkans which had been raiding, halted raiding and damaged the Bulgar empire (not led by BII) -1000s - Bulgars on the back foot - BII raids but doesn't suppress the Bulgars -1014 - Battle of Kleidon - major turning point and victory for BII, would lead to the destruction of the Bulgarian Empire 1018 |
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What are Basil's achievements in the West like? |
-Didn't gain any territory in Italy as he did in the East and Balkans -Also held on to what he had in Italy - none lost -Did not fail but did not make any major gains |
