ROMANUS III ARGYRUS

born c. 968 died April 11, 1034 Byzantine emperor from 1028 to 1034. He was an undistinguished Byzantine patrician, who was compelled by the dying emperor, Constantine VIII, to marry his daughter Zoe and to become his successor. Romanus showed great eagerness to make his mark as a ruler but was mostly unfortunate in his enterprises; and in his endeavour to relieve the pressure of taxation he disorganized the finances of the state. In 1030 he resolved to retaliate against the incursions of the Muslims on the eastern frontier by leading a large army against Aleppo, but he was defeated at Azaz. His death was supposed to have been caused by poison administered by his wife.