sylla1

On the leaders of the Classical polis Byzantion little is known to determine who may have been "the best"; maybe Python?

On the leaders of Medieval Roman Empire, there were several excellent leaders and it would be IMHO impossible to single any one as "the best".



My favorite one (just that!) would be regularly misunderstood emperor Leo III (later called the Isaurian, depicted in the obverse of the gold solidus above) for having saved the Empire (and therefore all Europe) from the powerful Islamic advance, for re-establishing the control of the central power over the remaining Empire, and also for trying (eventually unsuccessfully) to control the power of the Church, including the still poorly understood first iconoclastic decrees.

Kirialax

While they are hardly fully understood, check out Haldon and Brubaker's 2011 book on the subject for a modern and rigorous academic treatment.

diola

My favorite is Ioannes III Doukas Vatatzes, Emperor of "Nicea".

He managed to combine military expansion with economic prosperity and was a people's emperor, dedicated to justice and the well-being of his subjects.

Sadly, the Paleologi managed to destroy most of his achievements.

To be fair though, he benefited from Mongol raids in Bulgaria and the Sultanate of Rum, but most of the great leaders were lucky at some point.

Picard

Basil II and Heraclius.

sturm

Basil II

abrr

+1

Not the most famous of all emperors, but in my opinion one of the most interesting of them.

Also I can add to favorites Emperor Basil II. Excellent commander in fascinating war with tsar Samuil (also good commander in his early days)

P.S. First post in the forum. I hope first in many more

falcon

From the ones of Roman extraction undoubtely my choices are:

Constantine I
Theodosius I
Justinian I

Above all I would put Constantine I.


For the ones of Greek extraction the following:

Heracleios
Leo III, the Isaurian
John V,
Nikeforos II, Focas
John I, Tsimiskis
Basil II, Voulgaroktonos
John II, Komnenos

During their time the empire was the strongest on its own.
Above all of them IMHO I would put BASIL II.

Kirialax

What's so great about Basil II?

Thessalonian

He took back Bulgarian land.... At his death, the Empire stretched from Southern Italy to the Caucasus and from the Danube to the borders of Palestine. What more do you want?

Kirialax

So did Tzimiskes.

Ever heard of Manzikert?