Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 02.djvu/647

BASIL. North American genus of many species; also of Calamintha cliiiojiodium of Europe and North America. Acinos vulyaris (now Calamintha acinos) is a native British phint known as Basil thyme. Basil vinegar is nuule by steeping the leaves of basil in vinegar, and is used for seasoning when the fresli ]ilant cannot be had.

BA'SIL THE GREAT (0.330-379). Bishop of Cicsarea in Cappadocia, founder of Eastern monasticism, theologian, and doctor of the Church. He was born at C'e.sarea, of Christian parentage, about the year A.u. 330, and died there, January 1, 379. He is often grouped with his brother, Gregory of Nyssa (q.v. ), and Gregory of Nazianzus (q.v.). under the general title of 'the three Cappadocians,' all being distinguished leaders of Trinitarianism and successors of Athanasius. Basil received a careful education, under such teachers as the rlietorfcian Libanius, at Constantinople, and Hinierius, at Athens. Here (351-355) two of his fellow-students and friends were Gregory of Nazianzus and Julian, afterwards Emperor. Returning to Ctesarea, Basil entered with zest into the social life of the city, and thus aroused the anxiety of his pious sister, Maerina, who wished him to embrace the religious life. This he was soon led to do. He first visited the famous hermits of Syria. Palestine, and Egypt, and then took up his al)ode in a picturesque spot on the banks of the Iris, in Pontus, where he gathered a few sympathizers about him and spent several years in severe asceticism. So great were his austeri- ties that he was described as being 'without flesh and almost without blood.' His monastic period falls between A.n. 357 and 364. The rule of Saint Basil is still the standard of the Oriental monks. It was less systematic than that of Saint Bene- dict (q.v.), which arose later in Italy and eon- trolled the monastic develoi)ment of Western Europe, but it included the characteristic fea- tures of monachism ; viz. a union of active labor and quiet devotion with strict asceticism.

Basil was made presbyter of Ca'sarea in 34. His intense activity and devotion to the people soon gave him an influence greater even than that of the local bishop. He went about establishing new communities of monks, and founding hospi- tals, orphanages, etc. During a particularly severe famine (3fi8) his labors were little short of heroic. All this time his theological position was becoming more clearly defined. He had originally sympathized with the mediating party in the Arian controversy (see .^Klis), though his primary interest was not in dogma, but in the practical religious life. But his antagonism to the thorough-going Arians led him ever closer to the orthodox side. This attitude aroused hos- tility, and when the bishopric of Cresarea became vacant (370), and he was a candidate for the position, there was violent opposition. He was, however, elected, and his administration proved to be vigorous and successful. The office carried with it a virtual primacy of the churches in that part of Asia Minor. He was Metropolitan of Cappadocia and Exarch of Pontus, having many bishops under him, who were often opposed to his policy. But firmness and patience overcame opposition, even from the Arians, his greatest foes. A notable instance of Basil's courage was his withstanding the demands of the (Arian) Emperor Valens, in 372, when, in spite of threats of deposition, the bishop refused to surrender his orthodoxy or grant any favors to heretics. The Emperor is said to have been so impressed by Basil's dignity and courage, that he left him. in peaceful possession of his see.

As a theologian, Basil ranks below Athanasius, and below his brother Gregory. In common with the other Cappadocians, he emphasized the trinitj' rather than the unity of the Godhead. The completed Trinitarian formula asserted one substance (ousia) and three persons {hypos- tases). In the form in which Basil taught this doctrine, it laid him open to the charge of tri- theism. One of Basil's greatest disappointments arose from his failure to secure doctrinal har- mony between Eastern and Western Christendom. In support of Catholic orthodoxy he was com- pelled to look toward the West, but his overtures were received with marked coolness at Rome. Pope Damasus never forgave Basil for his fail- ure to recognize the Roman claim to primacy; and Jerome accused him of stubborn pride in thus persistently refusing Damasus due honor, iloreover, Basil's orthodoxy was for a long time under suspicion, for in his early life he had been known to have friends among the Arian heretics. He died before East and West came to an agree- ment.

Basil was master of a fine literary style. His works include expositions of the Bible, dogmatic, moral, and ascetic treatises, liturgical pieces, and letters. The Liturgy of Saint Basil is not wholly his work. Some 370 letters are preserved. The best complete edition of his works is the Bene- dictine (3 vols., Paris, 1721-30; reprinted in Migne's Patrologia GrcEcrt,Vols. XXIX. XXXII. ). His chief works are translated into English in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 2d .series,. Vol. VIII. (New York, 1895), with valuable prolegomena containing a sketch of his life and an analysis of his works. Consult, in general. Smith and Wace, Dictionary of Christian Biog- raphy, art. "Basilius of Caesarea" (London, 1887).

BASIL I. (c.813-886). Byzantine Emperor from 866 to 886, and founder of the Macedonian dTiasty. He was of Slavic descent, and when a boy entered the service of Michael the Drunkard (q.v.) as a groom. By his strength and bravery he attracted the Emperor's notice and won his favor. He was promoted rapidly until he was made protostrator, or Count of the Stables. He was the Emperor's boon companion, and after the murder of Bardas, in 866, he was chosen by Michael to be his associate in the Empire. The next year Basil, who had obtained a firm control of the Government, caused Michael to be murdered. The deed was unrevenged, no party took up the cause of Michael's children, and Basil ruled, until 886, with remarkable ability. The Empire was enlarged by the addition of new provinces in the east, which more than counterbalanced the loss of Syracuse in 878. Everywhere else, his armies and fleets were successful. At home he reformed the finances, began a recodification of the laws (see B.siLic.), and worked earnestly to improve the administration. He reinstated Ignatius (q.v.) as Patriarch, and sought to end the schism between the Eastern and Western churches; but in this. he failed. The Macedonian dynasty ruled ati Constantinople for 190 years.