Epitaph on the tomb of Basil II
The long reign of the
Text and translation
Original text | English translation |
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στίχοι ἐπιτάφιοι εἰς τὸν τάφον κυροῦ Βασιλείου τοῦ Βουλγαροκτόνου καὶ βασιλέως. |
Verses funereal on the tomb of lord ( born to the purple ,place my tomb on the site of Hebdomon and I sabbatize from the endless toils which I accepted in battles, and which I endured. For nobody saw my spear at rest, from when the King of Heavens called me autokrator of the earth and senior emperor. but remaining vigilant through the whole span of my life guarding the children of New Rome when I marched bravely to the West (Hesperia), and as far as the very frontiers of the East (Eos), settling countless trophies all over the earth. The Persians and Scythians (Bulgars) bear witness to this,and along with them the Iberian .And now, man, looking upon this tomb reward my campaigns with prayers. |
References
- Asdracha, Inscr. Byz. (AD 47/48A) 310,102 from Packard Humanities Institute
- Stephenson, Paul (2003). The Legend of Basil the Bulgar-Slayer. Cambridge University Press. pp. 49–51. ISBN 978-0-521-81530-7.
- Magdalino, Paul, ed. (2003). Byzantium in the year 1000. BRILL. p. 63. ISBN 978-90-04-12097-6.