Basil had been of peasant origins, but evnetually became a favourite and parakoimomenos of the Emperor Michael III (842-867). The rank of parakoimomenos was traditionally held by eunuchs, which Basil was not, because the position allowed the holder to sleep in the emperor's room. Michael then raised Basil to the rank of co-emperor in 866, when Basil began to appear on Michael's base metal coinage. Michael had Basil married to Michael's mistress, Eudokia Ingerina, in order that she could reside in the palace with her new husband, and therefore also Michael. Eudokia went on to bear a son, Leo (later Leo VI), officially to Basil, but possibly biologically to Michael. Basil was good at getting rid of rivals and managed to assassinate Bardas, Michael's uncle and caesar, in 866, then Michael himself in 867. His reign saw the loss of the mint city of Syracuse to the Aghlabids, but military successes elsewhere. He was the founder of the Macedonian dynasty, considered to preside over one of the 'golden ages' of Byzantium.

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