The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 25, 2024
Histamenon of Romanus III
1028–34
Location: 105 Byzantine
Did You Know?
On one side is a seated figure of Christ enthroned, on the other the Virgin is shown touching the head of emperor Romanus III.Description
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.- This coin was purchased by Dr. Zaworski about 10 years ago after Spink broke up, he obtained the coin from one of the former employees who went into business for himself.
- {{cite web|title=Histamenon of Romanus III|url=false|author=|year=1028–34|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2011.213