Stephen Lekapenos: A Co-Emperor's Rise and Fall

Stephen Lekapenos, also spelled Lecapenus (Greek: Στέφανος Λεκαπηνός, Stéphanos Lekapenós; died 18 April 963), was a significant figure in 10th-century Byzantine imperial politics. He was the second son of Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos (reigned 920–944) and served as a co-emperor from 924 to 945. Born into a family that ascended from naval prominence to the imperial throne, Stephen's life was marked by both periods of considerable power and a dramatic downfall.

His tenure as co-emperor occurred during Romanos I’s efforts to consolidate his family's hold on the Byzantine Empire, effectively overshadowing the young and legitimate emperor, Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus. Romanos I, originally a skilled admiral, had risen to power and initially elevated his eldest son, Christophoros, and subsequently Stephen and his younger brother Constantine, to co-emperor status. However, the Lekapenos family’s grip on the throne proved ultimately precarious. In a bold and ultimately ill-fated attempt to secure their own positions and perhaps pre-empt the inevitable return of Constantine VII, Stephen, along with his younger brother Constantine Lekapenos, orchestrated the deposition of their own father, Romanos I, in December 944. This act of familial betrayal, intended to solidify their control, instead paved the way for their own rapid demise.

The coup against Romanos I proved to be short-lived and strategically flawed for the Lekapenos brothers. Within a mere few weeks of their audacious power grab, Stephen and Constantine Lekapenos were themselves overthrown. The legitimate emperor, Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (who reigned from 913 to 959), skillfully capitalized on the resulting political instability and the widespread public sentiment that largely favored the return of the rightful heir. Constantine VII, who had been effectively sidelined for much of Romanos I’s long reign, swiftly asserted his authority, resulting in the exile of the Lekapenos brothers. Stephen Lekapenos was banished to the island of Lesbos, a common destination for deposed Byzantine figures. He spent the remainder of his life there, dying on 18 April 963, a date that notably coincided with Easter Sunday that year.

Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus: The Scholar Emperor

Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Πορφυρογέννητος, translit. Kōnstantînos Porphyrogennētos), born on 17 May 905 and reigning as Byzantine Emperor from 6 June 913 to 9 November 959, stands as one of the most intellectually significant monarchs of the Macedonian dynasty. He was the son of Emperor Leo VI the Wise and his fourth wife, Zoe Karbonopsina, and the nephew of his predecessor, Emperor Alexander. His long reign, though initially marked by powerful regencies, is renowned for its cultural and administrative advancements, reflecting his deep commitment to learning and the preservation of imperial knowledge.

A significant portion of Constantine VII’s early imperial life was spent under the shadow of powerful co-regents. From 913 until 919, his mother, Zoe Karbonopsina, held the reins of power as regent. Subsequently, from 920 until 945, he endured the powerful influence of Romanos I Lekapenos, a formidable admiral who ascended to co-emperor status and effectively marginalized Constantine. Romanos I further solidified his influence by arranging the marriage of his daughter, Helena Lekapena, to Constantine VII, forging a crucial, albeit politically complex, dynastic alliance. During this period, Romanos I also elevated his own sons, including Stephen and Constantine Lekapenos, to co-emperor status, further sidelining the legitimate heir. It was only after the dramatic deposition of Romanos I by his own sons in December 944, and the subsequent swift counter-coup by Constantine VII against those same brothers, that Constantine VII was finally able to fully reclaim his imperial authority and rule independently.

Scholarly Legacy and Key Works

Beyond his political tribulations, Constantine VII is most celebrated for his profound scholarly contributions, which transformed his court into a vibrant center of learning and literary production. He personally commissioned and authored several invaluable encyclopedic works, which serve as crucial primary sources for understanding the Byzantine Empire and its complexities:

• Geoponika (Γεωπονικά): This extensive compilation is an important agronomic treatise that synthesized ancient and contemporary knowledge on agricultural practices, horticulture, and animal husbandry. It provides invaluable insights into the economic life and practical concerns of the Byzantine Empire during his era.
• De Administrando Imperio (Πρὸς τὸν ἴδιον υἱὸν Ῥωμανόν): Meaning "On the Administration of the Empire," this is perhaps his most renowned work. Written as a confidential manual of foreign and domestic policy for his son, the future Emperor Romanos II, it offers detailed geographical, historical, and ethnological information about Byzantium's various neighbors, alongside practical advice on diplomacy and imperial governance. This text remains indispensable for scholars studying early medieval European and Near Eastern history.
• De Ceremoniis (Περί Βασιλείου Τάξεως): Titled "On Ceremonies," this monumental work meticulously describes the elaborate court protocols, imperial ceremonies, and administrative procedures of the Byzantine palace. It provides a vivid glimpse into the grandeur and symbolic importance of imperial rituals, reflecting the highly organized nature of Byzantine statecraft and the divine legitimacy attributed to the emperor.
• De Thematibus (Περί Θεμάτων): This treatise focuses on the "themes," which were the crucial military-administrative districts of the Byzantine Empire. It provides historical and geographical information about these provincial divisions, which formed the backbone of the empire's defense and internal administration.
• Vita Basilii (Βίος Βασιλείου): A biography of his grandfather, Emperor Basil I, who was the founder of the Macedonian dynasty. This work served a crucial political purpose, aiming to legitimize the Macedonian imperial line and solidify Constantine VII's own claim to the throne by celebrating the achievements and divine favor of his illustrious ancestor.

The Significance of "Porphyrogenitus"

The epithet Porphyrogenitus (Πορφυρογέννητος), meaning "born in the purple," is inextricably linked to Constantine VII and held immense symbolic weight within the Byzantine imperial tradition. This prestigious title alludes to the "Purple Chamber" (Porphyra) within the Great Palace of Constantinople, a specific room lavishly decorated with valuable porphyry stone, where legitimate children of reigning emperors were traditionally born. A birth in this chamber was considered a powerful symbol of undisputed imperial lineage and absolute legitimacy, serving to differentiate true heirs from those who might seize power through other means.

Although his mother, Zoe Karbonopsina, had not been formally married to Leo VI at the time of Constantine's birth, his birth in this prestigious room allowed him to emphatically underline his position as the legitimate heir to the Byzantine throne. This was particularly crucial in an era marked by numerous claimants to the throne and pervasive political intrigue. According to established Eastern Roman legal tradition and deeply ingrained custom, sons born to a reigning Emperor held significant precedence in the line of succession, even over elder sons who might not have been born "in the purple," further reinforcing the unique and undeniable status conferred by this birthright. Constantine VII adeptly leveraged this symbolic advantage throughout his tumultuous reign to solidify his authority.