The Macedonian dynasty ruled the Byzantine Empire from 867 to 1056, following the Amorian dynasty. During this period, the Byzantine state reached its greatest expanse since the Muslim conquests, and the Macedonian Renaissance in letters and arts began. The dynasty was named after its founder, Basil I the Macedonian who came from the theme of Macedonia which at the time was part of Thrace. The dynasty's founder may have been of Armenian descent, hence the dynasty is also referred to by at least one author as the Armenian Dynasty.