The long reign of the Byzantine EmperorBasil II (976–1025) saw continuous warfare in both East (against the Arabs) and West (against the Bulgarians). A true soldier-emperor, Basil led most of these campaigns himself, something reflected in his epitaph. His complete subjugation of the Bulgarian state earned him the epithet "Bulgar-Slayer" by later generations. Initially, he was to be buried in the last sarcophagus available in the rotunda of Constantine I in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. However, Basil later asked his brother and successor Constantine VIII to be buried in the Church of St. John the Theologian (i.e. the Evangelist), at the Hebdomon, a suburb outside the walls of Constantinople which traditionally served as a major army encampment and parade ground. The epitaph on this tomb celebrated Basil's campaigns and victories. The text survives in a number of variants, and its authorship and date are unclear. It is attributed by a 14th-century manuscript to Michael Psellos.
Emperor Basil II receiving the submission of his vanquished foes.
Verses funereal on the tomb of lord (kyr) Basil the Bulgar-slayer and emperor (basileus). Other emperors of old, other burial places for themselves ordained, But I, Basil, born to the purple, place my tomb on the site of Hebdomon and I sabbatize from the endless toils which I accepted in battles, and which I endured. For nobody saw my spear at rest, from when the King of Heavens called me autokrator of the earth and senior emperor. but remaining vigilant through the whole span of my life guarding the children of New Rome when I marched bravely to the West (Hesperia), and as far as the very frontiers of the East (Eos), settling countless trophies all over the earth. The Persians and Scythians (Bulgars) bear witness to this, and along with them the Abasgian, Ishmael, the Arab, the Iberian. And now, man, looking upon this tomb reward my campaigns with prayers.
Stephenson, Paul (2003). The Legend of Basil the Bulgar-Slayer. Cambridge University Press. pp. 49–51. ISBN978-0-521-81530-7.
Magdalino, Paul, ed. (2003). Byzantium in the year 1000. BRILL. p. 63. ISBN978-90-04-12097-6.
April 13, 2024
epitaph, tomb, basil, long, reign, byzantine, emperor, basil, 1025, continuous, warfare, both, east, against, arabs, west, against, bulgarians, true, soldier, emperor, basil, most, these, campaigns, himself, something, reflected, epitaph, complete, subjugation. The long reign of the Byzantine Emperor Basil II 976 1025 saw continuous warfare in both East against the Arabs and West against the Bulgarians A true soldier emperor Basil led most of these campaigns himself something reflected in his epitaph His complete subjugation of the Bulgarian state earned him the epithet Bulgar Slayer by later generations Initially he was to be buried in the last sarcophagus available in the rotunda of Constantine I in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople However Basil later asked his brother and successor Constantine VIII to be buried in the Church of St John the Theologian i e the Evangelist at the Hebdomon a suburb outside the walls of Constantinople which traditionally served as a major army encampment and parade ground The epitaph on this tomb celebrated Basil s campaigns and victories The text survives in a number of variants and its authorship and date are unclear It is attributed by a 14th century manuscript to Michael Psellos Emperor Basil II receiving the submission of his vanquished foes Text and translation editOriginal text English translationstixoi ἐpitafioi eἰs tὸn tafon kyroῦ Basileioy toῦ Boylgaroktonoy kaὶ basilews ἄlloi mὲn ἄllῃ tῶn palai basilewn aὑtoῖs proafwrisan eἰs tafὴn topoys ἐgὼ dὲ Basileios porfyras gonos ἵsthmi tymbon ἐn topῳ gῆs Ἑbdomoy kaὶ sabbatizw tῶn ἀmetrhtwn ponwn oὓs ἐn maxais ἔstergon oὓs ἐkarteroyn oὐ gar tis eἶden ἠremoῦn ἐmὸn dory ἀf oὗ basileὺs oὐranῶn keklhke me aὐtokratora gῆs megan basilea ἀll ἀgrypnῶn ἅpanta tὸn zwῆs xronon Ῥwmhs tὰ tekna tῆs Neas ἐryomhn ὁtὲ strateywn ἀndrikῶs prὸs ἑsperan ὁtὲ prὸs aὐtoὺs toὺs ὅroys toὺs tῆs ἕw ἱstῶn tropaia pantaxoῦ gῆs myria kaὶ martyroῦsi toῦto Persai kaὶ Sky8ai sὺn oἷs Ἀbasgos Ἰsmahl Ἄraps Ἴbhr kaὶ nῦn ὁrῶn ἄn8rwpe tonde tὸn tafon eὐxaῖs ἀmeiboy tὰs ἐmὰs strathgias Verses funereal on the tomb of lord kyr Basil the Bulgar slayer and emperor basileus Other emperors of old other burial places for themselves ordained But I Basil born to the purple place my tomb on the site of Hebdomon and I sabbatize from the endless toils which I accepted in battles and which I endured For nobody saw my spear at rest from when the King of Heavens called meautokrator of the earth and senior emperor but remaining vigilant through the whole span of my life guarding the children of New Rome when I marched bravely to the West Hesperia and as far as the very frontiers of the East Eos settling countless trophies all over the earth The Persians and Scythians Bulgars bear witness to this and along with them the Abasgian Ishmael the Arab the Iberian And now man looking upon this tomb reward my campaigns with prayers References editAsdracha Inscr Byz AD 47 48A 310 102 from Packard Humanities Institute Stephenson Paul 2003 The Legend of Basil the Bulgar Slayer Cambridge University Press pp 49 51 ISBN 978 0 521 81530 7 Magdalino Paul ed 2003 Byzantium in the year 1000 BRILL p 63 ISBN 978 90 04 12097 6 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Epitaph on the tomb of Basil II amp oldid 1138238327, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
