Magister tells the story of how Basil came to Constantinople as a poor peasant youth. He entered the city at dusk one Sunday, and since he had no place to stay he lay down to sleep outside the monastery of St Diomede near the Golden Gate. The abbot noticed him there and gave him supper and a bed for the night. The next day Basil found work in the palace stables, where his strength and good looks brought him to the attention of the emperor Michael. Michael appointed Basil as his grand chamberlain, and then on 26 May 866 he crowned him as co-emperor. Basil bided his time until the night of 23–24
...more
