Christopher Lekapenos
886 – 931 · Generation XXIII · co-emperor (r. 921–931)
Christopher (AD null – 931). co-emperor (r. 921–931). Eldest son of Romanos I and senior co-emperor; predeceased his father. When his father assumed guardianship of the young Constantine VII, Christopher was made megas hetaireiarches, commander of the palace guard, and in May 921 Romanos raised him to co-emperor so that the Lekapenos family would take precedence over the Macedonian line. He seems to have worn the diadem loyally: when his own father-in-law Niketas urged him in 928 to unseat Romanos, the plot came to nothing and Niketas was banished for it. After Christopher’s death the imperial college passed on through his father, his brothers and Constantine VII — and in December 944 those brothers overthrew Romanos, only to be exiled themselves within weeks after moving against Constantine VII.
Parents
- Romanos I Lekapenos (870 – 948)
- Theodora (870 – 922)
Siblings
- Agatha (889 – ?)
- Constantine Lekapenos (889 – 946)
- Stephen Lekapenos (889 – 963)
- Helena Lekapene (910 – 961)