T

he Purple Born

 

Constantine VII's mother, Zoe Karbonopsina, was the mistress to Emperor Leo VI (The Wise) of Byzantium.  But I would think that it was Zoe who was the wiser for because of her foresight, Constantine VII's legitimacy started to take shape simply by the room in the palace where he was born.  Being born in the Purple Room of the imperial palace meant that you were the son of a reigning Emperor of Byzantium.  To secure the throne for her son and also his legitimacy, three days after the christening a marriage took place and Zoe was proclaimed Empress.  Still feeling that the succession was in question,  Leo had his son crowned as co-emperor on May 15, 908, when he was only two years old.

 

Yet all was not smooth going.