Constantine VII, called Porphyrogennetos because he was born "in the purple" to a reigning emperor, was Roman Emperor and Caliph of Islam from 912 to 959. The son and successor of Leo VI, he is said to have preferred to have dedicated his life to scholarly pursuits rather than wielding executive authority. However, after the failure of an attempted coup by the regent Romanos Lekapenos, Constantine took command himself and quickly set about eliminating all his remaining rivals. Constantine died in 959. He was succeeded by his son, Romanos I.