Talbot Alice-M., Sullivan D. The History of Leo the Deacon. Byzantine Military Expansion in the Tenth Century

Washington, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Dumbarton Oaks Trustees for Harvard University, 2005. — 264 p.
On the whole the era of the Macedonian dynasty (867 — 1056) was a time of territorial expansion and flourishing culture for the Byzantine empire; nevertheless the continuation of the dynasty was at risk on several occasions in the tenth century when an orderly succession to the throne proved impossible. Fortunately for the empire, the day was saved by three generals who assumed the throne, in theory as guardians for junior emperors until such time as they should achieve their majority. Problems began already with the second member of the Macedonian line, Leo VI the Wise (886 — 912), who had difficulties in producing an heir to the throne. Only one of his first three wives, who were all shortlived, bore a son and he soon died. Therefore Leo waited until his new mistress, Zoe Karbonopsina, gave birth to a healthy boy in 905 before marrying her. This uncanonical fourth marriage split the church hierarchy. The child, the future Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (945 — 959), would grow up to be one of the most famous of Byzantine emperors, known in particular for his patronage of arts and letters and for his sponsorship of several important compilations, such as On the Administration of the Empire and the Book of Ceremonies, which provide invaluable information on the Byzantine state, foreign policy, diplomacy and court ceremonial in the tenth century.