Romanus took power for himself and mantained it until 944, when he was deposed by his sons. Neverthless, he was a very intelligent young man with a large range of interests, and dedicated those years to study the court's ceremonial.
Because of this, Nicholas was driven out of the regency by Constantine's mother Zoë.Ĭhrist Crowning Constantine VII (945).Zoë was no more successful with the Bulgars, and in 919 she was replaced with Romanus Lecapenus, who married his daughter Helena to Constantine.Ĭonstantine's youth had been a sad one for his unpleasant appearance, his taciturn nature and his relegation at the third level of succession behind the two sons of Romanus Lecapenus. His regent was presently forced to make peace with Tsar Simeon of Bulgaria, whom he reluctantly recognized as Bulgarian emperor. Nevertheless, the epithet allowed him to underline his position as the legitimized son, as opposed to all others who claimed the throne during his lifetime.Ĭonstantine succeeded to the throne at the age of seven in 913, under the regency of the Patriarch Nicholas Mysticus. Constantine was also born in this room, although his mother Zoe had not been married to Leo at that time. His nickname alludes to the Purple Room of the imperial palace, where legitimate children of the emperors were normally born. He is famous for his two descriptive books, De Administrando Imperio and De Ceremoniis. Constantine VII Porphyrogenitos ("the Purple-born") (Constantinople, 905 Constantinople, November 9, 959) was the son of Byzantine emperor Leo VI and his fourth wife Zoe Karvounopsina.