The Macedonian Dynasty
The first half of the ninth century in Byzantium was a sorry spectacle of generals climbing over slain rivals to imperial power, to be slain in their turn; of pomp and luxury, eye-gouging and nose-cutting, incense and piety and treachery; of emperor and patriarch unscrupulously struggling to determine whether the empire should be ruled by might or myth, by sword or word. Then came the Macedonian Dynasty (established in 867 by Basil "the Macedonian"), which ruled through 190 years of violence, war, adultery, piety, and excellent administration. It was the longest of all Byzantine administrations. It began with Basil I and was followed by Leo VI (who earned the cognomen "the Wise"). This dynasty later had great personalities like Basil II (who strengthened the empire to levels not seen since Justinian), as well as Zoë and Theodora (the Imperial sisters). Zoë came first; she ruled with grace, punished corruption, and judged with astounding impartiality. Theodora was also a judge in Zoë court, but she retired to a convent after Zoë’s death. Constantine IX then ruled for five years with wisdom and taste. When he died (1055), supporters of the Dynasty forced Theodora to come out of her retirement and rule. She did, but when she died chaos ensued and the Dynasty came to an end; replaced by the Comnenos Dynasty—who endured the rise of the Turks and lost the empire to the Crusades.
Source: Durant, Will. The Story of Civilization, Vol. 4: The Age of Faith, A History of Medieval Civilization, Christian, Islamic, and Judaic, From Constantine to Dante, A.D. 325-1300. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1950.
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Full disclosure, I may occasionally borrow a sentence from Will Durant's Story of Civilization. I absolutely love that collection!