Who were the Byzantine emperors and what were their notable actions?

The Byzantine emperors were the rulers of the Byzantine Empire, which was the eastern continuation of the Roman Empire. Some notable Byzantine emperors and their actions include:

1. Justinian I (527-565): He is known for his efforts to restore the Roman Empire's territorial boundaries through military campaigns, most notably the reconquest of Italy and North Africa. Justinian also implemented legal reforms, including the codification of Roman laws in the Corpus Juris Civilis.

2. Heraclius (610-641): He successfully defended the Byzantine Empire against the Sassanian Persians and led a counteroffensive that resulted in the recovery of lost territories. Heraclius also introduced Greek as the official language of the Byzantine Empire, replacing Latin.

3. Basil II (976-1025): Known as "Basil the Bulgar Slayer," he expanded the Byzantine Empire's borders and defeated the Bulgarian Empire, bringing stability to the region. Basil II also implemented administrative and military reforms, strengthening the Byzantine state.

4. Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118): He played a crucial role in the First Crusade by requesting Western European assistance against the Seljuk Turks. Alexios I also implemented economic and military reforms, stabilizing the Byzantine Empire and laying the foundation for the Komnenian restoration.

5. Justinian II (685-695, 705-711): He is known for his attempts to centralize power and his brutal suppression of opposition, which led to his overthrow and exile. Justinian II also introduced the gold coin known as the solidus, which became the standard currency of the Byzantine Empire.

These are just a few examples of the Byzantine emperors and their notable actions. The Byzantine Empire had a long and complex history with many emperors who made significant contributions to its development and survival.