Romanos I Lekapenos
870 – 948 · Generation XXII · Emperor (r. 920–944)
Romanos (AD 870 – 948). Emperor (r. 920–944). Married Theodora. Senior co-emperor beside Constantine VII; deposed by his own sons Dec 944, died a monk in exile. A peasant’s son from Lakape — his father had saved Basil I’s life in battle at Tephrike — Romanos rose without polish or schooling through the ranks of the army and fleet, serving as admiral in the aftermath of the Byzantine disaster at Acheloos. In March 919 he seized the Boukoleon Palace, married his daughter Helena to the young Constantine VII, and climbed by way of the new title basileopator through caesar to the crown itself. Posterity dubbed him “the gentle usurper” for sparing the legitimate young emperor. Warfare against Simeon of Bulgaria consumed his opening years on the throne, and he healed the breach with the papacy over Leo VI’s four marriages.
Partners
- Married Theodora (870 – 922) — 5 children together
Children
- Christopher Lekapenos (886 – 931)
- Stephen Lekapenos (889 – 963)
- Constantine Lekapenos (889 – 946)
- Helena Lekapene (910 – 961)
- Agatha (889 – ?)