Editing Constantine VIII (section)

===Emperor===
{{multiple image|direction=vertical|width=170|align=left
|image1=Histamenon of Basil II & Constantine VIII.png
|caption1=''[[Histamenon]]'' of Constantine VIII and Basil II
|image2=Histamenon of Constantine VIII.png
|caption2=''Histamenon'' of Constantine VIII as sole emperor.
}}

Basil II had an illustrious reign, pursuing both government reforms and a series of successful wars. He died childless on 15 December 1025 and Constantine, a sixty-five-year-old widower, became the sole emperor as Constantine VIII. During his long term as co-emperor, he had been content to enjoy the privileges of imperial status, without concerning himself with state affairs.{{sfn|Brand|Cutler|1991|pp=503–504}} Sole rulership did not fundamentally alter this desire "to pass his life wallowing in extravagant pleasures".{{sfn|Ostrogorsky|1957|p=265}}
[[File:Appointment of Alexios Stoudites as patriarch.png|thumb|Appointment of [[Alexius of Constantinople|Alexius Stoudites]]  as patriarch (top) by Emperor Constantine VIII.]]
The Byzantine aristocracy had been rigorously controlled by Basil II. By comparison, they judged Constantine to be "[d]evoid of any semblance of moral fibre", and worked steadily to extract concessions from him.{{sfn|Norwich|1991|p=268}} Unqualified men received senior government posts, and Basil's land laws were dropped under pressure from the aristocracy of [[Anatolia]]. These interactions with Constantine were not without risk; when challenged, or led to suspect conspiracies, the emperor responded with impulsive cruelty. Condemned members of the elite suffered torture or were sentenced to [[political mutilation in Byzantine culture|blinding]].

[[File:Emperor Constantine VIII orders the blinding of Nikephoros Komnenos.png|thumb|Emperor Constantine VIII (left) orders the blinding of [[Nikephoros Komnenos]],miniature from the ''[[Madrid Skylitzes]]'']]
The start of the decline of the Byzantine Empire has been linked to Constantine's accession to the throne.{{sfn|Ostrogorsky|1957|p=283}} His reign has been described as "an unmitigated disaster", "a break up of the system" and the cause of "a collapse of the military power of the Empire".{{sfn|Norwich|1991|pp=283, 268}}{{sfn|Ostrogorsky|1957|p=264}}

He ruled for less than three years before his death, on 11 or 12 November 1028.{{refn|Sources do not agree on the exact date of his death.<ref>''[[Lupus Protospatharius]]''; [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/protospatarius.shtml 1029]: "mortuus est Constantinus Imperator in vigilia S. Martini." On the eve of [[Martin of Tours]]', that is, the day before 12 November (unless it's referring to the very same day).</ref><ref>''[[Georgius Cedrenus]]'' − ''[[Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae|CSHB]]'' '''9''': [https://books.google.com/books?id=nbkVAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA484 484-5]: "Nona Novembris die, indictione 12, anno 6537, subito morbo correptus Constantinus... triduo post Constantinus vivendi finem fecit, cum vixisset annos." The Latin translation indicates that he fell ill on the 9th and died 3 days later. However, the text could also be interpreted as ''the third day since'' his illness, that is, 11 November.</ref><ref>According to the ''[[Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium|ODB]]'', [[Yahya of Antioch]] gives 12 November.</ref><ref>The [https://archive.org/details/kleinchroniken1/page/n80/mode/1up Chronicle 15/7] of the ''Chronica byzantina breviora'' gives 11 November, although it also gives Basil's death as 12 December.</ref>|group="n."}} On his deathbed and without a male heir, Constantine named as successor [[Constantine Dalassenos (duke of Antioch)|Constantine Dalessenos, Duke of Antioch]], a senior aristocrat and member of one of the few powerful patrician families who had been unswervingly loyal to the Macedonian dynasty.{{sfn|Norwich|1991|p=269}} Constantine Dalassenos was summoned from his estates in the [[Armeniac Theme]], with the intention that he should certify his position as successor by marrying the emperor's daughter Zoe. Before Dalassenos completed his journey to [[Constantinople]], the situation had changed. The emperor's advisors preferred a different candidate, [[Romanos III Argyros|Romanos Argyros]], who showed promise of being a weak ruler whom they could control. Characteristically, Constantine acquiesced to this preference. Romanos was named as the new imperial heir, and compelled to divorce his wife and marry Zoe. The wedding took place on 12 November and Romanos was crowned four days later.{{sfn|Ostrogorsky|1957|p=322}}