866 Michael kills Bardas with the aid of Basil the Macedonian, who becomes cæsar.
867 Assassination of Michael at the instigation of Basil, who takes the throne. Basil removes Photius and restores Ignatius.
THE BASILIAN DYNASTY (867-1057 A.D.)
871 The Paulicians attacked and reduced to obedience.
872 Basil takes the field against the Mohammedans.
875-876 Victories of Basil in Cilicia.
877 Death of Ignatius. Photius regains the patriarchate.
881 Basil plans to drive the Mohammedans out of Sicily and Italy. Cyprus recovered and held for eleven years.
885 Nicephorus Phocas expels the Mohammedans from Italy. They still hold Sicily. Accusation against Leo, the emperor’s son, by Santabaren, in which the former narrowly escapes death.
886 Death of Basil, who is wounded while hunting. His son, Leo (VI) the Philosopher, succeeds. He has Santabaren’s eyes put out, and banishes him. Photius deposed.