Byzantine Emperor. He was named as co-emperor by his father, Romanos II, in AD 962, but for more than sixty years afterwards he stood by while real power was held by a succession of other rulers, including Nikephoros II, John I, and Basil II. He did however put down rebellions by the nobility and undertook some diplomatic work for Basil II, but otherwise led a life of leisure until finally becoming Emperor in his own right on Basil's death in 1025. He was aged sixty-three when he came to the throne, and was by then suffering from chronic gout and had difficulty walking. During his three year reign he showed little political skill and often acted with great cruelty, persecuting the nobles and ordering hundreds of innocent men mutilated or executed; while all the time avoiding state business as much as possible in order to pursue his leisure interests such as hunting. The aristocracy soon forced him to repeal Basil's land laws and conspiracies were begun against him. He died without a male heir, leaving the throne to his daughter, Zoë, and her husband, Romanos III.
Byzantine Emperor. He was named as co-emperor by his father, Romanos II, in AD 962, but for more than sixty years afterwards he stood by while real power was held by a succession of other rulers, including Nikephoros II, John I, and Basil II. He did however put down rebellions by the nobility and undertook some diplomatic work for Basil II, but otherwise led a life of leisure until finally becoming Emperor in his own right on Basil's death in 1025. He was aged sixty-three when he came to the throne, and was by then suffering from chronic gout and had difficulty walking. During his three year reign he showed little political skill and often acted with great cruelty, persecuting the nobles and ordering hundreds of innocent men mutilated or executed; while all the time avoiding state business as much as possible in order to pursue his leisure interests such as hunting. The aristocracy soon forced him to repeal Basil's land laws and conspiracies were begun against him. He died without a male heir, leaving the throne to his daughter, Zoë, and her husband, Romanos III.
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