The Macedonian dynasty ruled the Byzantine Empire from 867 to 1056, following the Amorian dynasty. During this period, the Byzantine state reached its greatest expanse since the Muslim conquests, and the Macedonian Renaissance in letters and arts began. The dynasty was named after its founder, Basil I the Macedonian who came from the Theme of Macedonia which at the time was part of Thrace. The dynasty's founder may have been of Armenian descent, hence the dynasty is also referred to by at least one author as the Armenian Dynasty.
Claims have been made for the dynasty's founder being of Armenian, (hence the dynasty is also referred to by at least one author as the Armenian Dynasty) Slavic, or indeed "Armeno-Slavonic" descent. The author of the only dedicated biography of Basil I in English has concluded that it is impossible to be certain what the ethnic origins of the emperor were, though Basil was definitely reliant on the support of Armenians in prominent positions within the Byzantine Empire.
Basil I the Macedonian (Βασίλειος Α') (811–886, ruled 867–886) - married the Varangian Eudokia Ingerina, mistress of Michael III; died in hunting accidentLeo VI the Wise (Λέων ΣΤ') (866–912, ruled 886–912) – son of Eudokia Ingerina, legal son and heir of Basil I; possibly the natural son of Michael IIIAlexander (Αλέξανδρος) (870–913, ruled 912–913) – son of Basil I, regent for nephewConstantine VII the Purple-born (Κωνσταντίνος Ζ') (905-959, ruled 913 - 959) – son of Leo VIRomanos I Lekapenos (Ρωμανός Β') (870–948, ruled 919–944) – father-in-law of Constantine VII; co-emperor, attempted to found his own dynasty. Deposed by his sons and entered monasteryRomanos II the Purple-born (Ρωμανός Β') (938–963, ruled 959–963) – son of Constantine VIINikephoros II Phokas (Νικηφόρος Β' Φωκᾶς) (912–969, ruled 963–969) – successful general, married Romanos II's widow, regent for Basil; assassinated (Origin: Cappadocian)John I Tzimiskes (Ιωάννης Α')(925-976, ruled 969–976) – successful general, brother-in-law of Romanos II, lover of Nikephoros's wife but banned from marriage, regent for Basil II and Constantine VIIIBasil II (Βασίλειος Β') the Bulgar-slayer (958–1025, ruled 976–1025) – son of Romanos IIConstantine VIII (Κωνσταντίνος Η') (960-1028, ruled 1025–1028) – son of Romanos II; silent co-emperor with Basil II, sole emperor after his brother's deathZoe (Ζωή Α') (c. 978–1050, ruled 1028–1050) – daughter of Constantine VIIIRomanos III Argyros (Ρωμανός Γ')(968–1034, ruled 1028–1034) – eparch of Constantinople; Zoe's first husband, arranged by Constantine VIII; murderedMichael IV the Paphlagonian (Μιχαήλ Δ') (1010–1041, ruled 1034–1041) – Zoe's second husbandMichael V the Caulker (Μιχαήλ Ε') (1015–1042, ruled 1041–1042) – Michael IV's nephew, Zoe's adopted sonTheodora (Θεοδώρα)(980–1056, ruled 1042) – daughter of Constantine VIII, co-empress with ZoeConstantine IX Monomachos (Κωνσταντίνος Θ') (1000–1055, ruled 1042–1055) – Zoe's third husbandTheodora (Θεοδώρα) (ruled 1055–1056) – restoredMichael VI (Μιχαήλ ΣΤ') (ruled 1056–1057) – chosen by Theodora; deposed and entered monasteryBasil I the Macedonian (813–886)from his marriage to Maria:Constantine (865–878), co-emperor with his fatherAnastasiafrom his marriage to empress Eudokia Ingerina:Leo VI the Wise (866–912)Eudokia (died 892)AnnaBasil (died 900)Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (905–959), married Helena Lekapene, daughter of Romanos I LekapenosRomanos II (938–963)childless by his marriage to Bertha of Italyfrom his marriage to Theophano:Basil II the Bulgar-Slayer (957–1025)Constantine VIII (961–1028)EudokiaZoe (978–1050), married:- Romanos III Argyros (ca. 968–1034)
- Michael IV the Paphlagonian (1015–1042)
- Constantine IX Monomachos (ca. 1000–1055)
Theodora (980–1056)Anna Porphyrogeneta (963–1011), married Vladimir I of KievAgatheEirene Lakapena, married Peter I of BulgariaTheodora, married John I TzimiskesAlexander (870–913)Stephen I (870–893), Patriarch of Constantinople
