Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos or Porphyrogenitus, "the Purple-born" (that is, born in the purple marble slab paneled imperial bed chambers; ; September 2, 905 – November 9, 959), was the fourth Emperor of the Macedonian dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, reigning from 913 to 959. He was the son of the emperor Leo VI and his fourth wife, Zoe Karbonopsina, and the nephew of his predecessor, the emperor Alexander.