13 Facts About Constantine Diogenes

Constantine Diogenes was a Byzantine general of the early 11th century, active in the Balkans.

Constantine Diogenes served with distinction in the final stages of the Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria under Emperor Basil II, and occupied high commands in the Balkans until his arrest in 1029, as the result of his participation in a conspiracy against Emperor Romanos III Argyros.

Constantine Diogenes was the father of Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes.

Constantine Diogenes is the first notable member of the noble Diogenes family with origins from Cappadocia, which played an important role in 11th-century Byzantium.

The Bulgarian ruler set up an ambush for his pursuers, but Basil was informed in time, and led the rest of his troops to Constantine Diogenes' aid, scattering the Bulgarians.

Constantine Diogenes took Sirmium and was named its commander ; his authority extended over the vassal polities in the inner regions of Serbia.

Constantine Diogenes's title was possibly that of "strategos of Serbia", which is attested in a seal attributed to him.

Constantine Diogenes was ordered by Basil II to subdue Sermon, the ruler of Sirmium, to consolidate Byzantine control of the northern Balkans.

Consequently, Constantine Diogenes invited Sermon to a meeting at the estuary of the river Sava in the Danube, where each would only be accompanied by three attendants.

Constantine Diogenes had hidden his sword in the folds of his clothes, and struck Sermon down.

Around 1022 or 1025, Constantine Diogenes succeeded Arianites as overall Byzantine commander of conquered Bulgaria.

Constantine Diogenes was transferred east as strategos of the Thracesian Theme but, as soon as his complicity in the affair was confirmed, was recalled to Constantinople.

Theodora herself was placed in a convent, but she apparently continued to conspire with Constantine Diogenes, who planned to take advantage of Romanos's absence on campaign in the East in 1032 to escape to the Balkans.