Zoë Porphyrogenita
Macedonian Dynasty c.978-1050
As a daughter of Constantine VIII, Zoë was next in the Byzantine line of succession. She was known for having numerous love affairs and was rumoured to have killed her first husband, Romanos III, either by drowning or poisoning him. She married her lover, Michael, on the very same day but was then removed from political power until his death as he was afraid that she would turn on him. An uprising against his heir and nephew, Michael V, led to Zoë being restored to the throne alongside her sister Theodora, who promptly took control. A vain woman, Zoë had little interest in governing but resented Theodora for her authority and ability to rule.