Basil II: HOW did an ascetic emperor restore Byzantium’s glory by BLINDING 15,000 men?

Welcome back, lovers of history! Today we journey into the Byzantine Empire at the turn of the millennium to study the formidable Emperor Basil II. Known as the "Bulgar-Slayer," this ascetic ruler forsook luxury and family life, dedicating his entire existence to the restoration of the Empire's power. We investigate his relentless fifty-year reign, culminating in the brutal act that cemented his terrifying reputation: the blinding of 15,000 Bulgarian soldiers after the Battle of Kleidion, an act that shattered an empire and returned Byzantium to its zenith.

• In this video you will learn:
• A Youth of Conspiracy: How Basil survived court intrigues to seize absolute power.
• The Ascetic Emperor: A ruler who slept on the ground and lived like a soldier.
• The Varangian Guard: The creation of the elite Norse bodyguard of the Byzantine Emperors.
• The Decades-Long War: Basil's obsessive campaign against the Bulgarian Empire.
• The Battle of Kleidion (1014): The decisive victory that ended a generation of war.
• The Blinding of an Army: The horrific aftermath and the death of Tsar Samuel.
• Bulgar-Slayer's Legacy: How Basil II restored Byzantium to its greatest height since Justinian I.

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