Originally the son of Armenian peasant, rose through the ranks in the navy (strategos of Samos, droungarios). He married his daughter Helena Lekapene to Constantine VII and became basileopator/caesar; he was crowned on 17 Dec. 920. He also crowned his sons to sideline Constantine VII. Romanos promulgated a series of laws (novels) to protect peasants from landlords (dynatoi). Romanos also dealt with uprisings, and the war against Bulgarian tsar Symeon (until a peace was signed with the latter's successor Peter, 927). Under his reign, Byzantium increased influence in Serbia and concluded a treaty with the Hungarians; it also renewed the wars with the Arabs. The Tomos of Union (920) dealt with ecclesiastical matters; and Romanos appointed his youngest son patriarch. Eventually Romanos was dethroned by his sons Stephen and Constantine. He died in exile as a monk.

Romanos built a palace with a cistern in Myrelaion (Bodrum).