Epitaph on the tomb of Basil II
Introduction Emperor Basil II receiving the submission of his vanquished foes.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.
Text and translation  Original text English translationVerses funereal on the tomb of lord (''kyr'') Basil the Bulgar-slayer and emperor (''basileus'').Other emperors of old, otherburial places for themselves ordained,But I, Basil, born to the purple,place my tomb on the site of Hebdomonand I sabbatize from the endless toilswhich 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 lifeguarding the children of New Romewhen 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 tombreward my campaigns with prayers.
References * Asdracha, Inscr. Byz. (AD 47/48A) 310,102 from Packard Humanities Institute* *