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Euphrosyne
- Thekla (wife of Michael II)
Euphrosyne (Greek: Εὐφροσύνη; c. 790 – after 836), was a Byzantine empress by marriage to Michael II. She was a daughter of Byzantine emperor Constantine VI, the last representative of the Isaurian dynasty, and his empress Maria of Amnia. Life Coin depicting Euphrosyne's husband Michael II and stepson Theophilos.
When Michael II the Amorian was born in 0779, in Phrygia, Roman Empire, his father, Artavasd II Mamikonian, was 69 and his mother, Theoktista Phlorina d'Arménie, was 48. He married Euphrosyne Byzantium. They were the parents of at least 1 daughter.
After the death of Thekla, in c. 823, Michael II married Euphrosyne, a daughter of Constantine VI and Maria of Amnia. This marriage was probably intended to strengthen Michael's position as emperor, but it incurred the opposition of the clergy, as Euphrosyne had previously become a nun.
She was later married to the emperor Michael II (820–29) after the death of his first wife Thecla. Michael chose Euphrosyne because of her ties to the imperial family, but, since she was also a nun, the marriage was considered unseemly and brought condemnation from leading Byzantine churchmen.
Michael first rose to prominence as a close aide (spatharios) to the general Bardanes Tourkos, alongside his future antagonists Leo the Armenian and Thomas the Slav. He married Bardanes' daughter Thekla, while Leo married another daughter.
Although she had taken a monastic vow she became the second wife of Michael II., a marriage which was practically forced upon her by Michael, who was anxious to strengthen his claims to the throne by an alliance with the last representative of the Isaurian dynasty, and secured the compliance of senate and patriarch with his desire.
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Feb 7, 2020 · Emperor Michael II of Amorion (r. 820-829) and 2nd wife Empress Euphrosyne, daughter of Constantine VI
