Past Emperors designated for themselves other burial places.
I, Basil the purple born, place my tomb on the site of the Hebdomon.
And take sabbath’s rest from the endless toils which I satisfied in war.
For nobody saw my spear at rest.
From when the emperor of heaven called me
to the rulership of this great empire on earth,
I kept vigilant, through the whole span of my life,
guarding the children of New Rome.
Marching bravely to the west,
and as far as the very frontiers of the east,
the Persians and Scythians bear witness to this.
And along with them: Abascos, Ishmael, Arabs, Iber.
And now, you; looking upon this tomb,
reward it with prayers in return for my campaigns.