1028 - 1034

Son-in-Law of Constantine VIII, Romanus III was totally unsuited to the task of being emperor. Great victories were won by the Byzantine army during his reign, but these were largely down to the general George Maniaces. Romanus' wife Zoe, daughter of Constantine VII grew restless with her husband, preferring the advances of the courtier Michael the Paphlagonian. Romanus was murdered in his bath on 11th April 1034. On the 12th April, Zoe married Michael and Michael was crowned Michael IV.