The Children of Adam and Eve

He was the founder of the Macedonian dynasty. Born in Macedonia of peasant
stock, as a youth Basil Worked as a groom in the imperial stables in
Constantinople. He won the favor of Emperor Michael III (838-67), who made
him his chamberlain. In 866 Basil, with Michael's consent, murdered the
latter's uncle, Caesar Bardas (flourished 842-66), regent during Michael's
minority (842-56), and became coruler of the Byzantine Empire with
Michael. In 867 Basil had Michael assassinated. As sole ruler of the
empire, he began the reform of the legal code completed by his son Leo VI
(866-912), introduced other administrative reforms, and ended the Photian
Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches.