Joint rule with Basil II (his brother), 10 January 976 - 15 December 1025 A.D.
Sole rule, 15 December 1025 A.D. - 11 November 1028 A.D.
Constantine VIII was crowned emperor when he was an infant; however, for his first 63 years of "rule" he was a junior emperor and rarely played even a minor role in in state affairs. He spent his life in search of pleasure and entertainment, including spectator sports at the Hippodrome, feasting, riding and hunting. After his brother Basil II died, Constantine was sole emperor for nearly the last three years of his life. He carried on as he always had, enjoying life and avoiding state business as much as possible. Ineffective and cruel, he allegedly ordered the execution or mutilation of hundreds of innocent men. He arranged the marriage of his daughter Zoe, and upon his death, Zoe's husband took the throne as Romanus III.