Constantine VIII

Constantine VIII ( Κωνσταντῖνος Η ', * 960, † November 11, 1028 ). Was Byzantine emperor from 1025 to 1028, he was a son of the Emperor Romanos II and the younger brother of Emperor Basil II, who died childless, and his the empire left behind.

Constantine ascended the throne 976 was already at Basil's appointed co-emperor, but played in the 49 years of the activity of his brother not matter, even if Basil Constantine Opel left to go to war. Constantine spent his time in luxury and without any accountability. In his youth he seems to have given a physically imposing figure, but which faded by years of over-exploitation of its power over time. When he became the sole ruler at the age of 65 years, after all, already, he could barely hold due to chronic gout on the legs, but this did not prevent him from further binges and orgies.

Since Constantine felt that he could not deal with the immense power, but also to further indulge his pleasures to, he transferred a large part of its power to various eunuchs. In addition, was a notorious racket called spondylos prince of Antioch, the most important at this time fortress to the east. The Anatolian aristocracy took advantage of the weakness of the new government's advantage, and brought the weak emperor to repeal the land laws enacted by Basil II again and deprive thousands of farmers of their livelihood.

As Basil died without a male heir Constantine. The government went to his daughter Zoe, the long series of their husbands and children, and her sister Theodora III. about.