Constantine VIII
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Constantine VIII 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 f
Contemporary miniature of Constantine VIII, from a Bari Exultet roll
Constantine VIII's father (left) in the Romanos Ivory
Gold solidus of Romanos II's father Constantine VII (left) and Romanos II (right), with a haloed Christ on reverse
Histamenon of Nikephoros II (left) and Basil II (right)
Basil II
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Basil II Porphyrogenitus, given the epithet the Bulgar Slayer, was the senior Byzantine emperor from 976 to 1025. He and his brother Constantine VIII were crowned before their father Romanos II died i
Constantine VIII
…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. He occupied the throne for 66 years in total, making him de jure the longest-reigning…
Restored depiction of Basil II from his Menologion, National Historical Museum, Athens
Clash between the armies of Bardas Skleros and Bardas Phokas at Pankaleia, miniature from the Madrid Skylitzes.
The Armenian prince Gregory Taronites is ambushed by the Bulgarians near Thessalonica.
Byzantine victory over the Bulgarians at the Battle of Kleidion, from the Madrid Skylitzes