Nikephoros Ouranos, Latinized as Nicephorus Uranus, was a high-ranking Byzantine official and general during the reign of Emperor Basil II. One of the emperor's closest associates, he was active in Europe in the wars against the Bulgarians, scoring a major victory at Spercheios, and against the Arabs in Syria, where he held command during the first decade of the 11th century as Basil's virtual viceroy. A well-educated man, he wrote a military manual (Taktika) and composed several surviving poems and hagiographies.
The Byzantine emperor Basil II (r. 976–1025). Nikephoros Ouranos was one of his closest and most trusted collaborators.
Bulgarians put to flight by Ouranos's forces at Spercheios, from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes.
Basil II Porphyrogenitus, nicknamed the Bulgar Slayer, was the senior Byzantine emperor from 976 to 1025. He and his brother Constantine VIII were crowned before their father Romanos II died in 963, but they were too young to rule. The throne thus went to two generals, Nikephoros Phokas and John Tzimiskes before Basil became senior emperor, though his influential great-uncle Basil Lekapenos remained as the de facto ruler until 985. His reign of 49 years and 11 months was the longest of any Roman emperor.
Replicated depiction of Basil II from his Menologion, National Historical Museum
Clash between the armies of Bardas Skleros and Bardas Phokas at Pankaleia, miniature from the Madrid Skylitzes.
The Armenian prince Gregory Taronites is ambushed by the Bulgarians near Thessalonica.
Byzantine victory over the Bulgarians at the Battle of Kleidion, from the Madrid Skylitzes
