Constantine VII

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Byzantine Empire, Constantine VII, 11 May 912 - 9 November 959

Joint rule under Alexander (his uncle), 11 May 912 - 6 June 913
Under regent Patriarch Nicholas Mysticus, 6 June 913 - February 914
Under regent Zoe (his mother), February 914 - 919
Under regent Romanus I (his father-in-law), 919 - 17 December 920
Joint rule under Romanus I (his father-in-law), 17 December 920 - 20 May 921
Joint rule under Romanus I (his father-in-law), with Christopher (Romanus' son), 20 May 921 - 25 December 924
Joint rule under Romanus I (his father-in-law) and Christopher, with Stephen and Constantine (Romanus' sons), 25 December 924 - August 931
Joint rule under Romanus I (his father-in-law) with Stephen and Constantine (Romanus' sons), August 931 - 16 December 944
Joint rule with Stephen and Constantine (Romanus' sons), 16 December 944 - 27 January 945
Sole rule, 27 January 945 - 6 April 945
Joint rule as senior emperor with Romanus II (his son), 6 April 945 - 9 November 959
Constantine VII was a minor when his uncle, Alexander, died leaving him as sole emperor. Constantine's mother, Zoe, soon took control. However after Zoe failed to halt a growing Bulgarian threat, the regency passed to Romanus I Lecapenus, commander of the fleet, a much more able leader. Constantine was not allowed to take part in government and his regent Romanus I was made co-emperor in 920 A.D. Romanus I was deposed by his own sons who wanted the throne but instead Constantine VII took control. Finally, in 945 when he was 40 years old, he had real power. Later that year he made Romanus II, his son and grandson of Romanus I, his co-emperor. Romanus II outlived his father and ruled alone for only three years.

Byzantine Empire, Constantine VII and Zoe, 914 - 919 A.D.

Constantine VII was a minor when his uncle, Alexander, died leaving him as emperor. Constantine's mother, Zoe, soon took control. However after Zoe failed to halt a growing Bulgarian threat, the regency passed to Romanus I Lecapenus, commander of the fleet, a much more able leader.BZ71739. Bronze follis, DOC III, part 2, 22; Sommer 36.14; Wroth BMC 1; Morrisson BnF 1; Ratto 1883; SBCV 1758, VF, Constantine's face obscured (unstruck or hammered by someone that didn't like him?), weight 6.337 g, maximum diameter 25.8 mm, die axis 180^o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 914 - 919 A.D.; obverse COnStAnt' CE ZOH b', Constantine VII facing, beardless, wearing loros and crown with cross, holding long patriarchal cross with Zoe, wearing crown and chlamys; reverse COnSt/tAntino' / CE ZOH bA/SILIS Ro/meon in five lines; $80.00 (�71.20)

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Byzantine Empire, Constantine VII and Romanus I Lecapenus, 17 December 920 - 16 December 944 A.D.

Romanus was a crafty commoner, who must have been an expert at manipulation and court politics. He raised himself to a position of power, and although he was largely responsible for the loss of a campaign to the Bulgars, it was he who profited from the political backlash. Romanus moved three of his sons into positions of power, at one point eclipsing the power of his co-emperor, Constantine VII. His own sons then attempted to overthrow him and in the ensuing chaos, Constantine VII seized his throne once and for all.BZ77228. Bronze follis, DOC III, part 2, 25; Sommer 36.16; Morrisson BnF 31; Wroth BMC 14; Ratto 1886; SBCV 1760, aVF, well centered, nice dark patina, weight 5.605 g, maximum diameter 26.2 mm, die axis 180^o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 17 Dec 920 - 16 Dec 944 A.D.; obverse RWmAn' bASILEVS RWM' (or similar), Romanus I facing, bearded, wearing jeweled chlamys and crown with cross, globus cruciger in left, transverse labarum in right; reverse RWMA/n' En ΘEW bA/SILEVS RW/mAIWn in four lines; $80.00 (�71.20)

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Byzantine Empire, Constantine VII and Romanus I Lecapenus, 17 December 920 - 16 December 944 A.D.

Romanus was a crafty commoner, who must have been an expert at manipulation and court politics. He raised himself to a position of power, and although he was largely responsible for the loss of a campaign to the Bulgars, it was he who profited from the political backlash. Romanus moved three of his sons into positions of power, at one point eclipsing the power of his co-emperor, Constantine VII. His own sons then attempted to overthrow him and in the ensuing chaos, Constantine VII seized his throne once and for all.BZ71740. Bronze follis, DOC III, part 2, 25; Sommer 36.16; Morrisson BnF 31; Wroth BMC 14; Ratto 1886; SBCV 1760, VF, nice green patina, well centered, weight 6.238 g, maximum diameter 25.47 mm, die axis 180^o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 17 Dec 920 - 16 Dec 944 A.D.; obverse RWmAn' bASILEVS RWM' (or similar), Romanus I facing, bearded, wearing jeweled chlamys and crown with cross, globus cruciger in left, transverse labarum in right; reverse RWMA/n' En ΘEW bA/SILEVS RW/mAIWn in four lines; SOLD

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REFERENCES

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Catalog current as of Tuesday, July 25, 2017.
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