Stephen Lekapenos
889 – 963 · Generation XXIII · co-emperor (r. 924–945)
Stephen (AD null – 963). co-emperor (r. 924–945). Son of Romanos I; helped depose his father then was himself exiled. Proclaimed co-emperor at Christmas 924, Stephen formally ranked after his brother-in-law Constantine VII but grew in prominence once his elder brother Christopher died. With his brother Constantine he engineered the fall of the general John Kourkouas in 944, and in Runciman’s reading he was ringleader of the December coup: conspirators smuggled into the Great Palace seized the ill old emperor at midday and carried him to the nearest harbour. The brothers had feared being forced into monastic vows once Constantine VII became senior emperor; instead their own overthrow followed within weeks. Stephen lived out his days on Lesbos, dying there on Easter day, while his son Romanos, castrated after the family’s fall, later rose to the rank of sebastophoros.
Parents
- Romanos I Lekapenos (870 – 948)
- Theodora (870 – 922)
Siblings
- Christopher Lekapenos (886 – 931)
- Agatha (889 – ?)
- Constantine Lekapenos (889 – 946)
- Helena Lekapene (910 – 961)