Constantine VIII was the second son of Romanos II and Theophano and a porphyrogennetos emperor (purple-born, a child of a reigning emperor). Although technically a co-emperor from 962, Constantine was greatly overshadowed by first the 'regents' Nikephoros II Phokas and John I Tzimisces, who effectively ruled as sole emperors from 963-976, then by his older brother Basil II from 976-1025; although Constantine did appear on his brother's coinage as co-emperor. For the three years between Basil's death in 1025 and Constantine's death in 1028, Constantine VIII was sole emperor. He was recorded as being a generally ineffective and pleasure-loving emperor and was succeeded at his death, in 1028, by his daughter Zoe and her husband Romanos III Argyros.

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