The era of the Byzantine Empire's governance by Basil II (976-1025), the longest-reigning of all Byzantine emperors, is considered a "golden age" for the empire, as it was during this time that Bulgaria was annexed. This, as we know from tradition, occurred through a long and bloody war during which Basil earned the nickname "Bulgar Slayer."

In this new study, Paul Stevenson argues that none of the legends surrounding Basil have any basis in truth. On the contrary, Basil fought only sporadically in the Balkans and regarded, like his predecessors, this region as less attractive than the East.

Furthermore, his reputation as the "Bulgar Slayer" was created a century and a half later, as a result of the warlike fervor that an empire with the structure of Byzantium was inevitably subjected to. Nevertheless, this nickname was to become an invigorating national element for the Byzantines.

During the Ottoman rule, Basil was forgotten, but he returned to the forefront when the Greeks were striving to establish a modern national state. As Greek scholars and politicians integrated Byzantium into their Greek past, the "Bulgar Slayer" became an icon during the Macedonian Struggle (1904-08) and the Balkan Wars (1912-13).