Basil I vs King Gongmin

Basil I, a co-emperor under Michael III, orchestrated the murder of Michael in his palace. Basil then became sole emperor, founding the Macedonian dynasty. This act ended the Amorian dynasty and initiated a period of Byzantine resurgence.

Basil I launched a campaign against the Arabs in southern Italy, capturing the city of Bari and establishing the Theme of Longobardia. This restored Byzantine control over parts of Italy and strengthened the empire's position in the Mediterranean.

Basil I commissioned the Prochiron, a legal manual, and the Epanagoge, a revised law code. These works aimed to simplify and update Roman law, replacing the earlier Ekloga and reinforcing the emperor's authority. They influenced later Byzantine legal development.

Gongmin launched military campaigns to reclaim northern territories that had been ceded to the Yuan dynasty. Goryeo forces recaptured the Ssangseong and Dongnyeong regions, restoring the kingdom's traditional borders.

King Gongmin expelled Mongol officials and military personnel from Goryeo, ending the Yuan dynasty's direct control over the kingdom. He abolished the Mongol-style administrative offices and reasserted Goryeo's sovereignty.

Gongmin implemented a series of reforms to eliminate Mongol influence, including restoring Korean names for government offices, reviving Confucian rituals, and promoting native Korean culture. These reforms strengthened national identity.

Queen Noguk, Gongmin's Mongol wife and close advisor, died under mysterious circumstances, possibly by poisoning. Her death deeply affected Gongmin, leading to his increasing paranoia and erratic behavior in later years.

King Gongmin was assassinated by his eunuchs and close aides, possibly with the involvement of pro-Mongol factions. His death ended the reform era and led to a period of political instability in Goryeo.