Basil II (958?–1025), a Byzantine emperor, called the "Bulgar-Slayer." He came to the throne in 976 as coruler with his brother, Constantine VIII, who took little part in governing. When the Bulgarians, who had earlier been conquered by the Byzantines, revolted, Basil defeated them and blinded 14,000 prisoners of war to eliminate future uprisings. He also put down an insurrection of his own nobles and lessened the power of the nobility by appropriating their estates and dividing the land among the peasants.