Constantine VIII, Eastern Roman Emperor

http://genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00027727&tree=LEO

Constantine VIII From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Constantine VIII (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Η΄, Kōnstantinos VIII), (960–November 15, 1028) was Byzantine emperor from December 15, 1025 until his death. He was was the son of the Emperor Romanos II and Theophano, and the younger brother of the eminent Basil II, who died childless and thus left the rule of the Byzantine Empire in his hands.

Family

As a youth, Constantine VIII had been engaged to a daughter of Emperor Boris II of Bulgaria, but in the end he married a Byzantine aristocrat named Helena. By her he had three daughters: Eudokia, who became a nun, Zoe, future empress, and Theodora.

Life

Constantine VIII had been associated on the throne with his father and brother from 962. However, for some 63 out of the 68 years of his life he was eclipsed by other emperors, including Nikephoros II Phokas, John I Tzimiskes, and Basil II. On occasion Constantine participated in his brother's campaigns against rebel nobles. In 989, he acted as mediator between Basil II and Bardas Skleros. Otherwise he spent his life in the search of pleasure and entertainment, including spectator sports at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, or amusing himself with riding and hunting. When Basil II 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. Physically Constantine was tall and graceful, where Basil had been short and stocky. 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 courage and political savvy. He reacted to every challenge with impulsive cruelty, persecuting uppity nobles and allegedly ordering 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, although Constantine struck at the nobility when threatened by conspiracy. Like his brother, Constantine died without a male heir. The empire thus passed to his daughter Zoe, whom he had married to Romanos Argyros.

References

(primary source) Michael Psellus, Chronographia. The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, 1991.

Constantine VIII, Emperor of Constantinople held the office of Co-regent of Constantinople in 962. He succeeded to the title of Emperor Constantine VIII of Constantinople in 1025.

Constantine VIIIFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search Constantine VIII Emperor of the Byzantine Empire

Constantine VIII on the reverse of this histamenon coin, with crown, pelled labarum and akakia. Reign December 15, 1025 – November 11, 1028 Full name Constantine VIII) Predecessor Basil II Successor Romanos Argyros. Dynasty Macedonian dynasty

Constantine VIII (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Η΄, Kōnstantinos VIII) (960 – 11 November 1028) was reigning Byzantine emperor from December 15, 1025 until his death. He was the son of the Emperor Romanos II and Theophano, and the younger brother of the eminent Basil II, who died childless and thus left the rule of the Byzantine Empire in his hands.

Contents [hide] 1 Family 2 Life 3 References 4 External links

[edit] FamilyAs a youth, Constantine VIII had been engaged to a daughter of Emperor Boris II of Bulgaria, but in the end he married a Byzantine aristocrat named Helena. By her he had three daughters: Eudokia, who became a nun, Zoe, future empress, and Theodora.

[edit] Life Basil II and Constantine VIII, holding cross. Nomisma histamenon.Constantine VIII had been crowned with his brother by their father from 962; he was only a toddler then. However, for some 63 out of the 68 years of his life he was eclipsed by other emperors, including Nikephoros II Phokas, John I Tzimiskes, and Basil II. Even when his elder brother became senior emperor, Constantine was perfectly content to enjoy all the privileges of imperial status without concerning himself with state affairs. On occasion Constantine participated in his brother's campaigns against rebel nobles. In 989, he acted as mediator between Basil II and Bardas Skleros. Otherwise he spent his life in the search of pleasure and entertainment, including spectator sports at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, or amusing himself with riding and hunting.

When Basil II died on December 15, 1025, Constantine finally became sole emperor, although he ruled for less than three years before his own death on November 11, 1028.

Physically Constantine was tall and graceful, where Basil had been short and stocky. 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 courage and political savvy. He reacted to every challenge with impulsive cruelty, persecuting uppity nobles and allegedly ordering 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, although Constantine struck at the nobility when threatened by conspiracy.

Like his brother, Constantine died without a male heir. The empire thus passed to his daughter Zoe, whom he had married to Romanos Argyros.

[edit] References(primary source) Michael Psellus, Chronographia. The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, 1991. [edit] External links Media related to Constantine VIII at Wikimedia Commons Constantine VIII coinage: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/byz/constantine_VIII/t.html

Constantine 7 Full name: Constantine Flavius Porphyrogenitus

(905-959) Byzantine emperor 913-959; sole ruler since 945, almost 15 years. Constantine's reign was largely dominated by Romanus 1, who managed to become real emperor throug a period of 24 years. Constantine had an excellent intellect, but devoted his abilities mainly to scholarly pursuits, and did little to challenge Romanus. As sole ruler, he chose to delegate his power to bureaucrats and generals, as well as to his wife. Internationally, he focused much on keeping good diplomatic relations with foreign rulers. While he may appear uninterested and even inapt as leader, it could well be argued that he was more of a modern leader than other Byzantine emperors, who theoretically had to approve every decision. Constantine established an administration stronger than the capacity of the emperor's mind. Among his main challenges was his legitimacy, being the illegitimate son of the emperor. In order to promote his right to his position, he emphasized his nickname, which related to the purple room in the palace. This was the place where he was born, a room where only a royal childbirth was allowed. Constantine is famous for his two descriptive books, Imperial Administration (De Administrando Imperio) and Byzantine Ceremonies (De Ceremoniis aulae Byzantinae). Imperial Administration is a handbook in foreign politics, and it also gives unique information on Slavic and Turkic peoples. Byzantine Ceremonies describes the elaborate ceremonies at the imperial court. Among his other works, De thematibus describes the origins and development of the imperial provinces. Biography 905 September: Born as son of Emperor Leo 6. Being illegitimate, but born in the Purple Chamber of the Imperial Palace in Constantinople, as befitted legitimate children of reigning emperors. 911: Made co-emperor with his father. 912 May 11: Leo dies, and is succeeded by his half-brother, Alexander. 913: His uncle, Alexander, dies, and only 7 years old, Constantine succeeds him as emperor. Patriarch Nicholas Mysticus acts as his regent. — Constantine's mother, Zoe, replaces Nicholas as regent. 917: The Byzantines are severely defeated by the Bulgarians. 919: Zoe is replaced as regent by Admiral Romanus Lekapenos. — May: Romanus' daughter, Helena, is married to Constantine. 920 December: Romanus has himself appointed co-emperor. Romanus would keep his position for more than 24 years, a period in which Constantine exercised practically no power. 927 September: Peter of Bulgaria marries Maria, daughter of Cristopher, Romanus' appointed heir. With this alliance, Cristopher lifted his precedence in rank over Constantine's. 931: Christopher dies. 944 December 16: Romanus is deposed by his sons, Stephen and Constantine. 945 January 27: Constantine is able exercise his role as sole ruler of the empire. He has himself crowned again. He forces Romanus's sons into exile. — April 6: Crowns his son, Romanus, co-emperor. 949: Launches an attack on Arabs on Crete, but has no success. 949: The Byzantines conquer Germanica (modern Kahramanmaras, Turkey). 952: Byzantine troops cross the upper Euphrates River. 953: Germanica is lost to the Abbasids, and their troops penetrate imperial territory. 957: Constantine has the Russian princess, Olga, converted to Christianity. She takes the name Helena, and begins converting her people to Christianity. 958: Nicephorus Phocas conquers Hadath in northern Syria. 959: John Tzimiskes, later emperor, captures Samosata in northern Mesopotamia. 959 November 9: Dies and is succeeded by his son, Romanus 2. Rumours said he had been poisoned.

Constantine VIII (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Η΄, Kōnstantinos VIII) (960 – 11 November 1028) was reigning Byzantine Emperor from 15 December 1025 until his death in 1028. He was the son of the Emperor Romanos II and Theophano, and the younger brother of the eminent Basil II, who died childless and thus left the rule of the Byzantine Empire in his hands.

As a youth, Constantine VIII had been engaged to a daughter of Emperor Boris II of Bulgaria, but in the end he married a Byzantine aristocrat named Helena, daughter of Alypius. By her he had three daughters: Eudokia, who became a nun, Zoe and Theodora of Byzantium.

Constantine VIII had been crowned with his brother by their father in 962, when he was still an infant. However, for some 63 out of the 68 years of his life he was eclipsed by other emperors, including Nikephoros II Phokas, John I Tzimiskes, and Basil II. Even when his elder brother became senior emperor, Constantine was perfectly content to enjoy all the privileges of Imperial status without concerning himself with state affairs. On occasion Constantine participated in his brother's campaigns against rebel nobles. In 989, he acted as mediator between Basil II and Bardas Skleros. Otherwise he spent his life in the search of pleasure and entertainment, including spectator sports at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, or amusing himself with riding and hunting.

When Basil II died on 15 December 1025, Constantine finally became sole emperor, ruling for less than three years before his own death on 11 November 1028.

Physically Constantine was tall and graceful, where Basil had been short and stocky. 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 courage and political savvy. He reacted to every challenge with impulsive cruelty, persecuting uppity nobles and allegedly ordering 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 (the dynatoi), although Constantine struck at the nobility when threatened by conspiracy.

Like his brother, Constantine died without a male heir. The Empire thus passed to his daughter Zoe, whom he had married to Romanos Argyros.

------------------------------

Костянтин VIII (грец. Κωνσταντίνος Η′, * 960 — † 11 листопада 1028) — імператор Візантії з 1025 по 1028 роки.

Костянтин VIII був сином Романа II та молодший брат Василія II, який помер не залишивши спадкоємців трону.

Костянтина призначено співімператором при Василії ІІ вже у 976 році. Він однак не відіграє під час правління Василія жодної значної ролі під час 49-річного правління його брата. Навіть і тоді коли Василій покидає Константинополь для ведення війни, Костянтин проводить час у розкошах та безвідповідально. Легковажне життя привело його до того стану, що ставши імператором у віці 65 років він уже не міг ходити, оскільки хворів на подагру, що однак не заважало йому дольше брати участь в оргіях та застіллях.

Відчуваючи, що не справляється з владою, Костянтин передав її частину своїм євнухам. Наприклад, один з них, Спондил, став правити Антіохією. З другого боку анатолійська аристократія використала цю слабість із своєю користю, усуваючи закони видані попередником Костянтина для грабування тисяч сільських жителів.

Як і Василій ІІ, Костянтин VIII помер без чоловічого спадкоємця. Правління перейшло до його доньки Зої, а потім до Феодори.