Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus lived from 905 to 959 in Constantinople (Istanbul). A Byzantine emperor of the Macedonian dynasty, he was crowned co-emperor in 908; his reign is conventionally dated 913–959, while his personal exercise of power began in 945. “Porphyrogenitus” means “born in the purple” and refers to imperial birth. He was the son of Leo VI and the father of Romanos II.

De Administrando Imperio was compiled in Greek in the mid-tenth century, conventionally around 948–952, to instruct his son Romanos II in government, diplomacy and neighbouring peoples. The selected passage is in Chapter 32, concerning the Serbs. It is a tenth-century account of events attributed to the seventh century.

Selected passage

“Serbs” in the tongue of the Romans is the word for “slaves”, whence the colloquial “serbula” for menial shoes, and “tzerboulianoi” for those who wear cheap, shoddy footwear. This name the Serbs acquired from their being slaves of the emperor of the Romans. Now, after some time these same Serbs decided to depart to their own homes.

Source

CONSTANTINE PORPHYROGENITUS DE ADMINISTRANDO IMPERIO GREEK TEXT EDITED by GY. MORAVGSIK ENGLISH TRANSLATION by R. J. H. JENKINS New, Revised Edition Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies Trustees for Harvard University Washington, District of Columbia 1967.