969 - 976

Co-emperors: Basil II (960 - 1025), Constantine VIII (961 - 1028)

A very great soldier, John Tzimisces defeated the Russians, who were closing on Constantinople as his reign began. He won important victories in the east, also, continuing the successes of his predecessor Nicephorus II in Palestine. His promising reign was cut short when he died of typhoid in 976. The reign of John I saw the introduction of the so-called "anonymous" folles, which were to last for about a century. No images of emperors during this period exist on coinage.