Romanos III was attacked by a chronic illness which entailed facial swelling, rapid breathing and serious loss of hair and beard. He ate and slept little, but remained assiduous in the performance of his ceremonial role, though it greatly tired him. It was said that he was poisoned by Ioannes orphanotrophos, who had been his servant since before his accession, and had great influence over him. The empress Zoe, who felt an intense passion for Ioannes' brother Michael (IV), may also have used slow poisons against the emperor, and Michael (IV) himself is also suspected. Romanos was forced to take to his bed in constant pain. Ioannes was said to have visited Zoe secretly and warned her that further delay would lead to the death of both of them. However a contemporary panegyric praises the care with which Zoe organised his nursing