Constantine VIII (in Greek Konstantinos VIII, written Κωνσταντίνος Η') (960 – November 15, 1028), Byzantine emperor (December 15, 1025 – November 15, 1028) was the son of the Emperor Romanus II and the younger brother of the eminent Basil II, who died childless and thus left the rule of the Byzantine Empire in his hands. Events Edgar the Peaceable crowned King of England. ... November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... Events November 12 - Dying Emperor Constantine VIII of the Byzantine Empire marries his daughter Zoe of Byzantium to his chosen heir Romanus Argyrus. ... This is a list of Byzantine Emperors. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events April 18 - Boleslaw I Chrobry is crowned as the first king of Poland. ... November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... Events November 12 - Dying Emperor Constantine VIII of the Byzantine Empire marries his daughter Zoe of Byzantium to his chosen heir Romanus Argyrus. ... Romanus II (939 - 963) succeeded his father Constantine VII as Byzantine emperor in 959 at the age of twenty-one, and died, poisoned, it was believed, by his wife, Theophanu in 963. ... Painting of Basil II, from an 11th century manuscript. ... The Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centered at its capital in Constantinople. ...

Technically, Constantine became co-emperor with his brother when Basil assumed the throne in 976 at the age of 18, but during the 49 years that Basil II ruled, his brother had little role in the affairs of state even though Basil was often away from Constantinople fighting wars. Constantine is said to have spent most of this time living in luxury and with little or no responsibility. Events January 10 - Basil II becomes Eastern Roman Emperor, see Byzantine Emperors. ... Map of Constantinople. ...

When Basil died on December 15, 1025, Constantine finally became sole emperor, although he ruled for less than three years before his own death on November 15, 1028. December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events April 18 - Boleslaw I Chrobry is crowned as the first king of Poland. ... November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... Events November 12 - Dying Emperor Constantine VIII of the Byzantine Empire marries his daughter Zoe of Byzantium to his chosen heir Romanus Argyrus. ...

Physically Constantine was tall and magnificent where Basil had been short and stocky, and was graceful. He was a superb horseman. By the time he became emperor, he had chronic gout and could hardly walk. His reign was a disaster because he lacked in courage. He reacted to every challenge with cruelty. He ordered the execution or mutilation of hundreds of innocent men. Constantine carried on as he always had: hunting, feasting, and enjoying life - and avoided state business as much as possible. He was poor at appointing officials. Within months, the land laws of Basil II were dropped under pressure from the Anatolian aristocracy. Painting of Basil II, from an 11th century manuscript. ...

Like his brother, Constantine died without a male heir. The empire thus passed to his daughter Zoë and a long line of her husbands and children, none of whom distinguished themselves. Zoe (in Greek Ζωή, meaning life), (c. ...

Bibliography

• Michael Psellus the Younger. Chronographia.

Michael Constantine Psellus (Greek: Psellos) the younger, born in 1018 (probably at Nicomedia; according to some, at Constantinople) of a consular and patrician family, was a philosopher. ...

Romanus II (939 - 963) succeeded his father Constantine VII as Byzantine emperor in 959 at the age of twenty-one, and died, poisoned, it was believed, by his wife, Theophanu in 963. ... This is a list of Byzantine Emperors. ... Painting of Basil II, from an 11th century manuscript. ... Romanus III (Argyrus), (in Greek Romanos Argyros, written Ρωμανός Αργυρός, lived 968 - April 11, 1034) was a Byzantine emperor(November 15, 1028 to April 11, 1034). ...