Stephen Lekapenos
Encyclopedia
Stephen Lekapenos (died 18 April 963) was the second son of the Byzantine
emperor Romanos I Lekapenos (r. 920–944), and co-emperor from 924 to 945. Along with his younger brother Constantine
he deposed Romanos I in December 944, only to be themselves overthrown and exiled by the legitimate emperor Constantine VII
(r. 913–959) a few weeks later. Stephen lived out his life in exile in Lesbos, where he died on Easter 963.
. His older siblings were Christopher
(co-emperor from 921 until his death in 931) and his older sisters Helena
, who married Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (r. 913–959), and Agatha, who married Romanos Argyros. His younger brothers were Constantine
(co-emperor 924–945) and Theophylact (Patriarch of Constantinople
in 933–956). He probably also had at least two unnamed younger sisters, known because of their marriages alone.
to Caesar
, and was eventually crowned senior emperor on 17 December 920. To consolidate his hold on power, and with a view of supplanting the ruling Macedonian dynasty
with his own family, he raised his eldest son Christopher to co-emperor in May 921, while Stephen and Constantine were proclaimed co-emperors on 25 December 924.
Following Christopher's early death in 931, and given Constantine VII's de facto sidelining, Stephen and Constantine assumed an increased prominence, although formally they still ranked after their brother-in-law in the college of emperors. In 933, Stephen was married to Anna, the daughter of Gabalas, who was crowned Augusta
on the same occasion. The couple had one known son, Romanos. According to Kedrenos
, he was castrated in 945, but later became a sebastophoros
.
In 943, Stephen and Constantine Lekapenos were noted for their opposition to a dynastic marriage for their nephew, Romanos II
. Their father wanted to have his eldest surviving grandson married to Euphrosyne, a daughter of his successful general John Kourkouas
. Although such a union would effectively cement the loyalty of the army, it would also strengthen the position of the legitimate Macedonian line
, represented by Romanos II and his father Constantine VII, over the imperial claims of Romanos' own sons. Predictably, Stephen and Constantine opposed this decision, and prevailed upon their father, who was by this time ill and old, to dismiss Kourkouas in the autumn of 944. Romanos II instead married Bertha, an illegitimate daughter of Hugh of Arles
, King of Italy
, who changed her name to Eudokia after her marriage.
With Romanos I approaching the end of his life, the matter of his succession became urgent. In 943, Romanos drafted a will
which would leave Constantine VII as the senior emperor following his death. This greatly upset his two sons, who feared that their brother-in-law would have them deposed and force them to take monastic vows. Motivated, in the opinion of Steven Runciman
, partially by self-preservation and partially from genuine ambition, they started planning to seize power through a coup d'état
.
Stephen was apparently the ringleader of their conspiracy, with Constantine a rather reluctant partner. Their fellow conspirators included Marianos Argyros
, the protospatharios
Basil Peteinos, Manuel Kourtikes, the strategos
Diogenes, Clado and Philip. Kedrenos however considers Peteinos to have served as an agent of Constantine VII among the conspirators. On 20 December 944, the conspirators set their plans in motion. The two brothers smuggled their supporters in the Great Palace of Constantinople
during the midday break in palace activities. They then led their men into the chamber of Romanos I, where they easily captured the "ill old man". They were able to transport him to the nearest harbour and from there to Prote
, one of the Princes' Islands
and a popular place of exile. There Romanos agreed to take monastic vows and retire from the throne.
Having managed to quietly depose their father, the brothers now had to deal with Constantine VII. Unfortunately for them, their actions were no longer secret. Rumours of the deposition soon spread around Constantinople
, to the effect that Constantine VII's life was in danger. Before long, crowds gathered before the palace, demanding to see their Emperor in person. Liutprand of Cremona
notes that the local ambassadors and envoys from Amalfi
, Gaeta
, Rome
, and the Provence
also supported Constantine VII. Stephen and his brother had to succumb to the inevitable, recognizing their brother-in-law as the senior emperor.
The new triumvirate lasted for about 40 days. The three emperors soon appointed new leaders for the military services. Bardas Phokas the Elder
was appointed as the new Domestic of the Schools
, and Constantine Gongyles
as head of the Byzantine navy
. Stephen and his brother managed to reward their fellow conspirators. Peteinos became patrikios and megas hetaireiarches, Argyros was appointed Count of the Stable
, Kourtikes a patrikios and droungarios of the Vigla
. On 26 January 945 however, at the urging of their sister, the Augusta Helena, another coup removed the two Lekapenoi from power and restored the sole imperial authority to Constantine VII.
, before finally settling in Methymna
, Lesbos. A plot by some members of the imperial government to restore him was discovered in December 947 and the conspirators mutilated
and publicly humiliated. Stephen died at Methymna on Easter Sunday
, 963. John Skylitzes
claims that Stephen was poisoned by order of the Empress Theophano as part of her efforts to protect the rights to the throne of her sons Basil II
and Constantine VIII
, by eliminating other possible claimants to the throne. It should however be noted that several deaths of the extended imperial family at the time are attributed to Theophano by hostile sources, usually by poison.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
emperor Romanos I Lekapenos (r. 920–944), and co-emperor from 924 to 945. Along with his younger brother Constantine
Constantine Lekapenos
Constantine Lekapenos or Lecapenus was the third son of the Byzantine emperor Romanos I Lekapenos , and co-emperor from 924 to 945. Along with his elder brother Stephen he deposed Romanos I in December 944, only to be themselves overthrown and exiled by the legitimate emperor Constantine VII a...
he deposed Romanos I in December 944, only to be themselves overthrown and exiled by the legitimate emperor Constantine VII
Constantine VII
Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos or Porphyrogenitus, "the Purple-born" was the fourth Emperor of the Macedonian dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, reigning from 913 to 959...
(r. 913–959) a few weeks later. Stephen lived out his life in exile in Lesbos, where he died on Easter 963.
Family
Stephen was the second oldest son of Romanos I and his wife TheodoraTheodora, wife of Romanos I
-Empress:Her origins and background are not known. She became the mother-in-law to Constantine VII in May or June, 919 with the marriage of the young Emperor to her daughter Helena Lekapene...
. His older siblings were Christopher
Christopher Lekapenos
Christopher Lekapenos or Lecapenus was the eldest son of Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos and co-emperor from 921 until his death in 931.- Life :...
(co-emperor from 921 until his death in 931) and his older sisters Helena
Helena Lekapene
Helena Lekapene was the Empress consort of Constantine VII. She was a daughter of Romanos I and his wife Theodora.-Background:...
, who married Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (r. 913–959), and Agatha, who married Romanos Argyros. His younger brothers were Constantine
Constantine Lekapenos
Constantine Lekapenos or Lecapenus was the third son of the Byzantine emperor Romanos I Lekapenos , and co-emperor from 924 to 945. Along with his elder brother Stephen he deposed Romanos I in December 944, only to be themselves overthrown and exiled by the legitimate emperor Constantine VII a...
(co-emperor 924–945) and Theophylact (Patriarch of Constantinople
Patriarch of Constantinople
The Ecumenical Patriarch is the Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome – ranking as primus inter pares in the Eastern Orthodox communion, which is seen by followers as the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church....
in 933–956). He probably also had at least two unnamed younger sisters, known because of their marriages alone.
Reign
Romanos Lekapenos had risen to power in 919, when he had managed to appoint himself regent over the young Constantine VII and marry his daughter Helena to him. Within a year, he successively rose from basileopatorBasileopator
Basileopatōr was one of the highest secular titles of the Byzantine Empire. It was an exceptional post , and conferred only twice in the Empire's history...
to Caesar
Caesar (title)
Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator...
, and was eventually crowned senior emperor on 17 December 920. To consolidate his hold on power, and with a view of supplanting the ruling Macedonian dynasty
Macedonian dynasty
The Macedonian dynasty ruled the Byzantine Empire from 867 to 1056, following the Amorian dynasty. During this period, the Byzantine state reached its greatest expanse since the Muslim conquests, and the Macedonian Renaissance in letters and arts began. The dynasty was named after its founder,...
with his own family, he raised his eldest son Christopher to co-emperor in May 921, while Stephen and Constantine were proclaimed co-emperors on 25 December 924.
Following Christopher's early death in 931, and given Constantine VII's de facto sidelining, Stephen and Constantine assumed an increased prominence, although formally they still ranked after their brother-in-law in the college of emperors. In 933, Stephen was married to Anna, the daughter of Gabalas, who was crowned Augusta
Augusta (honorific)
Augusta was the imperial honorific title of empresses. It was given to the women of the Roman and Byzantine imperial families. In the third century, Augustae could also receive the titles of Mater castrorum and Mater Patriae .The title implied the greatest prestige, with the Augustae able to...
on the same occasion. The couple had one known son, Romanos. According to Kedrenos
Kedrenos
George Kedrenos or Cedrenus was a Byzantine historian. In the 1050s he compiled A concise history of the world, which spanned the time from the biblical account of creation to his own day. Kedrenos is one of the few sources that discuss Khazar polities in existence after the sack of Atil in 969...
, he was castrated in 945, but later became a sebastophoros
Sebastophoros
The sebastophoros was a high Byzantine court position and rank reserved for eunuchs in the 10th–12th centuries. Its functions are unclear.-History and functions:...
.
In 943, Stephen and Constantine Lekapenos were noted for their opposition to a dynastic marriage for their nephew, Romanos II
Romanos II
Romanos II was a Byzantine emperor. He succeeded his father Constantine VII in 959 at the age of twenty-one, and died suddenly in 963.-Life:...
. Their father wanted to have his eldest surviving grandson married to Euphrosyne, a daughter of his successful general John Kourkouas
John Kourkouas
John Kourkouas , also transliterated as Kurkuas or Curcuas, was one of the most important generals of the Byzantine Empire. His successes in battle against the Muslim states in the East definitively reversed the course of the centuries-long Byzantine–Arab Wars and began Byzantium's 10th-century...
. Although such a union would effectively cement the loyalty of the army, it would also strengthen the position of the legitimate Macedonian line
Macedonian dynasty
The Macedonian dynasty ruled the Byzantine Empire from 867 to 1056, following the Amorian dynasty. During this period, the Byzantine state reached its greatest expanse since the Muslim conquests, and the Macedonian Renaissance in letters and arts began. The dynasty was named after its founder,...
, represented by Romanos II and his father Constantine VII, over the imperial claims of Romanos' own sons. Predictably, Stephen and Constantine opposed this decision, and prevailed upon their father, who was by this time ill and old, to dismiss Kourkouas in the autumn of 944. Romanos II instead married Bertha, an illegitimate daughter of Hugh of Arles
Hugh of Italy
Hugh of Arles was King of Italy from 924 until his death. He was a Bosonid. During his reign, he empowered his relatives at the expense of the aristocracy and tried to establish a relationship with the Byzantine-Roman Empire...
, King of Italy
King of Italy
King of Italy is a title adopted by many rulers of the Italian peninsula after the fall of the Roman Empire...
, who changed her name to Eudokia after her marriage.
With Romanos I approaching the end of his life, the matter of his succession became urgent. In 943, Romanos drafted a will
Will (law)
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death...
which would leave Constantine VII as the senior emperor following his death. This greatly upset his two sons, who feared that their brother-in-law would have them deposed and force them to take monastic vows. Motivated, in the opinion of Steven Runciman
Steven Runciman
The Hon. Sir James Cochran Stevenson Runciman CH — known as Steven Runciman — was a British historian known for his work on the Middle Ages...
, partially by self-preservation and partially from genuine ambition, they started planning to seize power through a coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
.
Stephen was apparently the ringleader of their conspiracy, with Constantine a rather reluctant partner. Their fellow conspirators included Marianos Argyros
Argyros
Argyros , latinized as Argyrus, can refer to:* Argyros , prominent Byzantine noble clan* Argyrus , Byzantine general of Lombard origin* Billy Argyros, Greek-Australian professional poker player...
, the protospatharios
Protospatharios
Prōtospatharios was one of the highest court dignities of the middle Byzantine period , awarded to senior generals and provincial governors, as well as to foreign princes.-History:...
Basil Peteinos, Manuel Kourtikes, the strategos
Strategos
Strategos, plural strategoi, is used in Greek to mean "general". In the Hellenistic and Byzantine Empires the term was also used to describe a military governor...
Diogenes, Clado and Philip. Kedrenos however considers Peteinos to have served as an agent of Constantine VII among the conspirators. On 20 December 944, the conspirators set their plans in motion. The two brothers smuggled their supporters in the Great Palace of Constantinople
Great Palace of Constantinople
The Great Palace of Constantinople — also known as the Sacred Palace — was the large Imperial Byzantine palace complex located in the south-eastern end of the peninsula now known as "Old Istanbul", modern Turkey...
during the midday break in palace activities. They then led their men into the chamber of Romanos I, where they easily captured the "ill old man". They were able to transport him to the nearest harbour and from there to Prote
Kinaliada
Kınalıada is an island in the Sea of Marmara; it is the closest of the Princes' Islands to Istanbul, Turkey, about south. Administratively, it is a neighbourhood in the Adalar district of Istanbul....
, one of the Princes' Islands
Princes' Islands
The Princes' Islands , are a chain of nine islands off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey, in the Sea of Marmara. The islands also constitute the Adalar district of Istanbul Province...
and a popular place of exile. There Romanos agreed to take monastic vows and retire from the throne.
Having managed to quietly depose their father, the brothers now had to deal with Constantine VII. Unfortunately for them, their actions were no longer secret. Rumours of the deposition soon spread around Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, to the effect that Constantine VII's life was in danger. Before long, crowds gathered before the palace, demanding to see their Emperor in person. Liutprand of Cremona
Liutprand of Cremona
Liutprand, also Liudprand, Liuprand, Lioutio, Liucius, Liuzo, and Lioutsios was a Lombard historian and author, and Bishop of Cremona....
notes that the local ambassadors and envoys from Amalfi
Amalfi
Amalfi is a town and comune in the province of Salerno, in the region of Campania, Italy, on the Gulf of Salerno, c. 35 km southeast of Naples. It lies at the mouth of a deep ravine, at the foot of Monte Cerreto , surrounded by dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery...
, Gaeta
Gaeta
Gaeta is a city and comune in the province of Latina, in Lazio, central Italy. Set on a promontory stretching towards the Gulf of Gaeta, it is 120 km from Rome and 80 km from Naples....
, Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, and the Provence
Provence
Provence ; Provençal: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm) is a region of south eastern France on the Mediterranean adjacent to Italy. It is part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur...
also supported Constantine VII. Stephen and his brother had to succumb to the inevitable, recognizing their brother-in-law as the senior emperor.
The new triumvirate lasted for about 40 days. The three emperors soon appointed new leaders for the military services. Bardas Phokas the Elder
Bardas Phokas the Elder
Bardas Phokas was a notable Byzantine general in the first half of the 10th century, and father of Byzantine emperor Nikephoros II Phokas and the kouropalates Leo Phokas the Younger....
was appointed as the new Domestic of the Schools
Domestic of the Schools
The Domestic of the Schools was a senior Byzantine military office, extant from the 8th century until at least the early 14th century. Originally simply the commander of the Scholai, the senior of the elite tagmata regiments, the Domestic quickly rose in prominence: by the mid-9th century, its...
, and Constantine Gongyles
Constantine Gongyles
Constantine Gongyles was a Byzantine eunuch and court official who led a failed expedition against the Emirate of Crete in 949.Nothing is known of Constantine's early life, except that he came from Paphlagonia. The Life of St...
as head of the Byzantine navy
Byzantine navy
The Byzantine navy was the naval force of the East Roman or Byzantine Empire. Like the empire it served, it was a direct continuation from its imperial Roman predecessor, but played a far greater role in the defense and survival of the state then its earlier iterations...
. Stephen and his brother managed to reward their fellow conspirators. Peteinos became patrikios and megas hetaireiarches, Argyros was appointed Count of the Stable
Count of the Stable
The Count of the Stable was a late Roman and Byzantine office responsible for the horses and pack animals intended for use by the army and the imperial court...
, Kourtikes a patrikios and droungarios of the Vigla
Vigla (tagma)
The Vigla , also known as the Arithmos and in English as the Watch, was one of the elite tagmata of the Byzantine army. It was established in the latter half of the 8th century, and survived until the late 11th century...
. On 26 January 945 however, at the urging of their sister, the Augusta Helena, another coup removed the two Lekapenoi from power and restored the sole imperial authority to Constantine VII.
Exile
Initially, the two brothers were sent to Prote, where their father received them with bitter sarcasm, according to the chroniclers. Soon however Stephen was moved on to a prison at Prokonnesos, and then to RhodesRhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
, before finally settling in Methymna
Mithymna
Mithymna is a former municipality on the island of Lesbos, North Aegean, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Lesbos, of which it is a municipal unit. The second most important town of the island, it is located NE of Eressos, N of Plomari and NW of...
, Lesbos. A plot by some members of the imperial government to restore him was discovered in December 947 and the conspirators mutilated
Political mutilation in Byzantine culture
Mutilation in the Byzantine Empire was a common method of punishment for criminals of the era but it also had a role in the Empire's political life. The mutilation of political rivals by the Emperor was deemed an effective way of sidelining from the line of succession a person who was seen as a...
and publicly humiliated. Stephen died at Methymna on Easter Sunday
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
, 963. John Skylitzes
John Skylitzes
John Skylitzes, latinized as Ioannes Scylitzes was a Greek historian of the late 11th century. He was born in the beginning of 1040's and died after 1101.- Life :Very little is known about his life...
claims that Stephen was poisoned by order of the Empress Theophano as part of her efforts to protect the rights to the throne of her sons Basil II
Basil II
Basil II , known in his time as Basil the Porphyrogenitus and Basil the Young to distinguish him from his ancestor Basil I the Macedonian, was a Byzantine emperor from the Macedonian dynasty who reigned from 10 January 976 to 15 December 1025.The first part of his long reign was dominated...
and Constantine VIII
Constantine VIII
Constantine VIII was reigning Byzantine emperor from December 15, 1025 until his death. He was the son of the Emperor Romanos II and Theophano, and the younger brother of the eminent Basil II, who died childless and thus left the rule of the Byzantine Empire in his hands.-Family:As...
, by eliminating other possible claimants to the throne. It should however be noted that several deaths of the extended imperial family at the time are attributed to Theophano by hostile sources, usually by poison.