CONSTANTINE VIII. This title is given by Gibbon to the son of Romanus I. Lecapenus, one of the colleagues of Constantine VII. Porphyrogenitus, but it is now generally bestowed upon Constan tine, the brother and colleague of Basil II. from 976-1025, sole ruler 1025-28. He gave himself up to pleasure and allowed the administration to fall into the hands of six eunuchs.