CONSTANTINE VII PORPHYROGENITUS and ZOE.(913-959).Constantinople.Follis.

Obv : COnStAnt' CE ZOH b.
Crowned busts of Constantine, wearing loros, and Zoe, draped, holding patriarchal cross between them.

Rev : +COnS tAnTInO CE ZOh bA SILIS RO mEOn.
Sear 1758.

Condition : This coin features a dark patina with patches of light encrustation, suggesting natural aging and long-term exposure to the elements. The dark brown and green hues give the surface a well-worn, ancient appearance. The high-relief details, such as the figures and inscriptions, still maintain decent clarity despite some wear. The patina provides a protective layer, ensuring that the underlying details remain legible and enhancing the overall historic charm of the coin.Very fine.

Material : Copper.
Axis : 6h

Weight : 7.76 gr
Diameter : 25 mm

Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, born in 905, was a Byzantine emperor who ruled from 913 to 959 AD. The epithet "Porphyrogenitus" means "born in the purple," referring to the purple chamber in the imperial palace where children of reigning emperors were born, signifying his legitimacy as a ruler of royal blood. His reign is marked by both periods of direct rule and times when he was overshadowed by regents, particularly in his youth, as well as his deep involvement in intellectual and cultural pursuits.

Constantine VII was the son of Emperor Leo VI the Wise and Empress Zoe Karbonopsina. His early life was dominated by the regency of his mother, Zoe, and several political figures who wielded power in his stead due to his young age when he ascended the throne in 913. Constantine’s mother, Zoe Karbonopsina, was a significant figure in his life and in the politics of the empire. She served as regent during his minority and was involved in several court intrigues as she tried to ensure her son’s claim to the throne.

During the early years of Constantine’s reign, the empire was ruled by various regents, including the powerful admiral Romanos Lekapenos, who became co-emperor in 920. Romanos effectively sidelined Constantine for much of his reign, ruling the empire and placing his own family members in positions of power. Constantine was reduced to a figurehead emperor, and only after the fall of Romanos in 944 was he able to assume full control of the Byzantine Empire.

Once he took the reins of power, Constantine VII distinguished himself as a ruler who promoted learning, culture, and the arts. Unlike many of his predecessors who focused on military expansion, Constantine’s reign is known for a flourishing of Byzantine intellectual and artistic achievements. He was a scholar-emperor who took a great interest in history, literature, and the administration of the empire. His most famous literary work is **De Administrando Imperio**, a manual written for his son and heir, Romanos II, on the governance of the empire and the handling of foreign relations. The work provides valuable insights into the politics of the Byzantine state, its neighbors, and strategies for maintaining control over such a diverse empire.

Constantine also wrote **De Ceremoniis**, a detailed account of the elaborate court rituals and ceremonies of the Byzantine imperial court, and **De Thematibus**, which dealt with the administrative divisions of the empire. These works reflected his scholarly nature and interest in preserving and codifying the traditions and administration of the empire.

His reign saw stability in the empire, although he faced external challenges from the Arabs and internal court intrigue. Constantine VII was not known for his military prowess, but his policies were generally aimed at maintaining peace and strengthening the internal organization of the state.

Zoe, his mother, had a significant influence during the early part of his life, especially during the years of her regency. She was known for her ambition and determination to secure her son’s place on the throne. Although she faced opposition and political challenges, her role was crucial in Constantine’s rise to power. Her involvement in the imperial court was often marked by controversy, but her efforts ensured that Constantine eventually became emperor in his own right.

Constantine VII’s reign was a time of great cultural achievement in the Byzantine Empire. The empire's administration became more sophisticated, and art, particularly religious mosaics, flourished. Constantine took a keen interest in reviving the classical traditions of the ancient Roman Empire and worked to restore the splendor of the Byzantine court. He is often considered one of the more intellectual and cultured emperors, though his reign was not without its political challenges.

Constantine’s later years were largely peaceful, and he worked to secure the imperial succession for his son, Romanos II. His death in 959 marked the end of an era in Byzantine history known for its cultural renaissance and intellectual advancements. Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus is remembered not for his military conquests, but for his contributions to the cultural and intellectual life of Byzantium, which left a lasting legacy on the empire and on subsequent generations of scholars and rulers.

In conclusion, Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus and his mother, Zoe, were key figures in Byzantine history. While Zoe’s influence was primarily political during Constantine’s early years, Constantine’s legacy is marked by his scholarship and his efforts to preserve and enhance the cultural heritage of the empire. His reign represents a time of relative peace and intellectual prosperity in the Byzantine world, setting the stage for further cultural achievements in the centuries to come.