Origins & Early Life

Constantine VIII (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος, romanized: Kōnstantīnos; 960 – 11/12 November 1028) was de jure Byzantine emperor from 962 until his death. He was the younger son of Emperor Romanos II and Empress Theophano. He was nominal co-emperor from 962, successively with his father; his stepfather, Nikephoros II Phokas; his uncle, John I Tzimiskes; and his brother, Basil II. Basil's death in 1025 left Constantine as the sole emperor.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He occupied the throne for 66 years in total, making him de jure the longest-reigning amongst all Roman emperors since Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus Constantine displayed a lifelong lack of interest in politics, statecraft and the military, and during his brief sole reign the government of the Byzantine Empire suffered from mismanagement and neglect. He had no sons and was instead succeeded by Romanos Argyros, husband of his daughter Zoe. Constantine was born in 960, two years after his brother Basil. Their parents were Romanos II, the sixth Byzantine emperor of the Macedonian dynasty, and his second wife Theophano, an innkeeper's daughter described by contemporaries as ambitious and amoral. Aged eight, Constantine was engaged to a daughter...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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