The Joshua Roll, an illuminated manuscript of highly unusual format, probably of the tenth century-Macedonian Renaissance, is believed to have been created by artists of the Imperial workshops in Constantinople; it is now in the Vatican Library.

The Roll is in the form of a continuous horizontal scroll or rotulus, common in Chinese art, but all but unique in surviving examples of medieval Christian art.

It is made of several joined pieces of sheep vellum, is thirty-one centimeters high and about ten meters long, and may be incomplete, as it starts with Chapter II and ends with Chapter X.

The Roll covers the early part of the Old Testament Book of Joshua using a reduced version of the Septuagint text; it includes Joshua's main military successes, ending with conquered kings paying him homage.

At roughly this time, the Empire is enjoying military success in its campaigns in the Holy Land.

It is originally painted in grisaille, by several artists, with partial coloring added later in a separate stage.

The lettering is in majuscule and minuscule forms.

Sayf al-Dawla raids into the imperial theme of Lykandos in 949, but is defeated.

The imperial army counterattacks and seizes Germanikeia, defeating an army from Tarsus, then …

…raiding as far south as Antioch.

Mu'izz al-Dawla remains subordinate to 'Imad al-Dawla, who rules in Shiraz, despite the fact that he has taken control of Iraq by himself,.

Coins bearing 'Imad al-Dawla's name in addition to his own are made.

His title of amir al-umara', which in theory makes him the senior amir of the Buyids, means little in reality and is soon claimed by 'Imad al-Dawla.

Although he maintains a certain level of independence, it is clear that he should respect the authority of 'Imad al-Dawla.

Mu'izz al-Dawla accepts the change of rulers when 'Imad al-Dawla dies in 949 and Rukn al-Dawla takes the title of senior amir.

He also sends troops to Shiraz to ensure that Fana-Khusrau, who is the son of Rukn al-Dawla and 'Imad al-Dawla's successor, will take power there.

Still, he raises objections when Fana-Khusrau requests the title of "Taj al-Dawla".

The title of "Taj" ("crown") implies that Fana-Khusrau is superior to his father and uncle, provoking a reaction from Mu'izz al-Dawla.

A more suitable title ("'Adud al-Dawla") is instead chosen.

Theophilos Kourkouas, fighting in Anatolia, captures Theodosiopolis for the Empire.

The Rashtrakutans defeat the Cholans in a series of campaigns beginning in 948, taking the Vengi plain and in 949, dealing the expansionist Cholas a disastrous military setback.

Constantine launches a new fleet of one hundred ships (twenty dromons, sixty-four chelandia, and ten galleys) against the Arab corsairs sheltering in the Emirate Crete in 949, but, like his father's attempt in 911 to retake the island, this attempt also fails when the overconfident troops, under the eunuch and court official Constantine Gongyles, are defeated in a surprise night attack on their camp by the Arabs and flee the island.

Abd ar-Rahamn is very wary of losing control and keeps a tight rein on his family.

In 949, he executes one of his sons for conspiring against him.

Erik Bloodaxe, the deposed Norwegian ruler, briefly becomes king of York after 948.