(βασιλίσκος, from βασιλεύς), a fabulous crested serpent, called a cockatrice, because supposed to be produced from a cock's egg. (See Lucan, ix. 726.) It is also the name given by naturalists to a genus of saurian reptiles belonging to the Iguanoid family. See Reptilia, Index.

ancient species of ordnance, so called from its supposed resemblance to the fabulous serpent of that name. The basilisk threw an iron ball of 200 pounds weight. It was much used in the time of Sultan Soliman, particularly during the wars of Hungary, but is now entirely out of use; unless, indeed, the name may still be applied to those enormous pieces of ordnance which the Turks have built into the ramparts of the castles on the Dardanelles, and which carry stone balls of from 200 to 300 pound weight.

BASILIUS I., surnamed the Macedonian, was sprung of an obscure family in Macedonia, and rose, after many adventures and vicissitudes, from the rank of a common soldier to be emperor of the Greeks. He was made chamberlain to the Emperor Michael III., and having co-operated with that weak and vicious prince in the murder of the Caesar Bardas, he was made his colleague in the empire. In A.D. 867, he assassinated Michael when overpowered by wine, and thus obtained undivided sovereignty. He ruled with great ability, and left the kingdom in a very flourishing condition. He was dreaded by the Saracens, whom he frequently vanquished; and he was loved by his subjects on account of his justice and clemency. He died in A.D. 886, of wounds received from a stag while hunting. He is the author of a small work on the duties of a prince, which he dedicated to his son. (Gibbon, xlvii. liv.)