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Irene of Athens (Greek: Εἰρήνη, Eirḗnē; 750/756 – 9 August 803), surname Sarantapechaena (Greek: Σαρανταπήχαινα, Sarantapḗchaina), was Byzantine empress consort to Emperor Leo IV from 775 to 780, regent during the childhood of their son Constantine VI from 780 until 790, co-ruler from 792 until 797, and finally empress regnant and sole ruler of the Eastern Roman ...
- 19 August 797 –, 31 October 802
- Leo IV
Mar 14, 2024 · Irene (born c. 752, Athens—died Aug. 9, 803, Lesbos) was a Byzantine ruler and saint of the Greek Orthodox Church who was instrumental in restoring the use of icons in the Eastern Roman Empire. The wife of the Byzantine emperor Leo IV, Irene became, on her husband’s death in September 780, guardian of their 10-year-old son, Constantine VI ...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Irene came from a noble family in Athens. She was born about 752. She was married by Constantine V, ruler of the Eastern Empire, to his son, the future Leo IV, in 769. Their son was born just a little over a year after the marriage. Constantine V died in 775, and Leo IV, known as the Khazar for his maternal heritage, became the emperor, and ...
Feb 20, 2024 · Irene of Athens (c. 752 – August 9, 803), also known as Irene Sarantapechaena, remains a captivating figure in Byzantine history.Rising from Athenian nobility to become the first woman to reign independently over the Eastern Roman Empire, her legacy is marked by political intrigue, religious controversy, and ultimately, the restoration of icons.
Nov 15, 2017 · Sailko (CC BY-SA) Empress Irene was the wife of Leo IV and, on her husband's death, she reigned as regent for her son Constantine VI from 780 to 790 CE. From 797 to 802 CE she ruled as emperor in her own right, the first woman to do so in Byzantine history. During her lacklustre reign, Irene ruthlessly schemed and plotted to keep the throne she ...
- Mark Cartwright
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Irene of Athens (c. 752–803) First woman to be sole ruler of the Byzantine empire who ruled for ten years, displaying firmness and intelligence, and summoned the council at Nicaea in 787, which formally revived the adoration of images and reunited the Eastern church with that of Rome. Name variations: Irene the Great; Eirene.
Aug 26, 2017 · Empress Irene was born between 750 and 755 into a noble family of Athens. [3] In 769, Emperor Constantine V chose her as a bride for his son and co-ruler Leo IV. The reason he chose her is unclear. However, most historians believe that it was because of Irene’s beauty. [4]
