Byzantine Empire under the Macedonian dynasty

Byzantine Empire Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων (Ancient Greek) Imperium Romanum (Latin)
867–1056
The Byzantine Empire at the death of Basil II, 1025
Capital	Constantinople
Common languages	Medieval Greek, Romance languages, Armenian, Old Church Slavic, South Slavic languages
Religion	Eastern Orthodox Church
Government	Bureaucratic semi-elective monarchy
Emperor
• 867–886	Basil I
• 1055–1056	Theodora Porphyrogenita
History
• Murder of Michael III	24 September 867
• Death of Theodora Porphyrogenita	31 August 1056
Preceded by Succeeded by Byzantine Empire under the Amorian dynasty First Bulgarian Empire Byzantine Empire under the Doukas dynasty County of Apulia and Calabria Catepanate of Ras Duklja

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The Byzantine Empire under the Macedonian dynasty underwent a revival during the late 9th, 10th, and early 11th centuries. Under the Macedonian emperors, the empire gained control over the Adriatic Sea, Southern Italy, and all of the territory of the Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria. The Macedonian dynasty was characterised by a cultural revival in spheres such as philosophy and the arts, and has been dubbed the "Golden Age" of Byzantium.^[1]

The cities of the empire expanded, and affluence spread across the provinces because of the newfound security. The population rose, and production increased, stimulating new demand for trade.

Culturally, there was considerable growth in education and learning (the "Macedonian Renaissance"). Ancient texts were preserved and recopied. Byzantine art flourished, and brilliant mosaics graced the interiors of the many new churches.^[2]

Though the empire was much smaller than during the reign of Justinian, it was stronger, as its territories were both less dispersed and more politically and culturally integrated.^{[citation needed]}