In 864 Antioch, the capital of the eastern empire, was sacked by the Bulgars and the last Isaurian emperor killed. Theodemar, perceiving that the Bulgar threat was greater than ever before, gathered his army and marched along the coast to Syria. On the 11th June, 865, the Africans won a decisive victory at the Battle of Heliopolis and liberated Antioch three weeks later. Basil died in 886 and was succeeded by his son, Leo VI.