Emperors of Rome

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Silver coin depicting Romanos holding a cross in his right hand and the imperial orb in the left
Silver miliaresion of Romanos III
Name
Romanos III Argyros
Dynasty
Macedonian/Argyros
Born
968
Ierapolis, Thracesian Theme, Byzantine Empire
Died
11 April 1034
Constantinople, Byzantine Empire
Reign
15 November 1028 to 11 April 1034
(5 years, 4 months and 25 days)
Links

Romanos III Argyros, or Romanus III Argyrus (Greek: Ρωμανός Γ΄ Αργυρός, Rōmanos III Argyros; 968 – 11 April 1034), was Byzantine emperor from 15 November 1028 until his death. He was a Byzantine noble and senior official in Constantinople when the dying Constantine VIII forced him to divorce his wife and marry the emperor's daughter Zoë. Upon Constantine's death three days later, Romanos took the throne.

Romanos has been recorded as a well meaning but ineffective emperor. He disorganised the tax system and undermined the military, personally leading a disastrous military expedition against Aleppo. He fell out with his wife and foiled several attempts on his throne, including two which revolved around his sister-in-law Theodora. He spent large amounts on the construction and repair of churches and monasteries. He died after six years on the throne, allegedly murdered, and was succeeded by his wife's young lover, Michael IV.