Histamenon of Romanus III

Romanus III Argyrus (968–April 11, 1034) was Byzantine emperor from November 15, 1028, until his death. He was husband of Zoe, the daughter of Constantine VII, the man Romanus was to succeed as emperor three days after wedding the daughter. He appears to have thought a lot of himself and his abilities, but in fact was inept, corrupt, and self-absorbed. His government was filled with corruption and mismanagement. He made the mistake of ignoring his wife Zoe and limiting her expenses in an effort to reduce expenditures. This would prove fatal to him as he was either poisoned or drowned (accounts differ) by the hand or order of his wife.