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Definition. Constantine VI, also known as Constantine "the Blinded”, was emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 780 to 797 CE, although for most of his reign his mother, Irene the Athenian, ruled as regent. When Constantine did finally get a go at ruling in his own right, he was anything but successful.
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- Publishing Director
Constantine VI ( Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος, romanized: Kōnstantinos; Latin: Constantinus, 14 January 771 – before 805) was Byzantine emperor from 780 to 797. The only child of Emperor Leo IV, Constantine was named co-emperor with him at the age of five in 776 and succeeded him as sole Emperor in 780, aged nine.
- Background, Family
- Irene of Athens Biography
- Regency
- Emperor Constantine Vi
- Empress 797 - 802
- Deposed
from a noble Athenian familyuncle: Constantine Sarantapechoshusband: Emperor Leo IV the Khazar (January 25, 750 – September 8, 780); married December 17, 769, son of Constantine V Copronymus who arranged the marriage and his first wife Irene of Khazaria. Pa...one child: Constantine VI (January 14, 771 – about 797 or before 805), emperor 780 - 797Irene 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 Irene t...
Constantine, son of Leo and Irene, was only nine years old at his father’s death, so Irene became his regent, along with a minister named Staurakios. That she was a woman, and an iconophile offended many, and her late husband’s half-brothers again tried to take over the throne. They were discovered; Irene had the brothers ordained into the priestho...
A military revolt against Irene in 790 erupted when Irene would not hand over authority to her 16-year-old son, Constantine. Constantine managed, with the support of the military, to take full power as emperor, though Irene retained the title of Empress. In 792, Irene’s title as empress was reconfirmed, and she also regained power as co-ruler with ...
In 797, a conspiracy led by Irene to regain power for herself succeeded. Constantine tried to flee but was captured and returned to Constantinople, where, on the orders of Irene, he was blinded by his eyes being gouged out. That he died shortly after is assumed by some; in other accounts, he and Theodote retired to private life. During Theodote’s l...
Another victory by the Arabs reduced Irene’s support among the government leaders. In 803, the officials in government rebelled against Irene. Technically, the throne was not hereditary, and the leaders of government had to elect the emperor. This time, she was replaced on the throne by Nikephoros, a finance minister. She accepted her fall from pow...
Constantine VI, b. c.770, Byzantine emperor (780–97), son and successor of Leo IV. His mother, Irene, was regent until 790, when she was deposed by a military revolt. Constantine recalled her in 792 and made her joint ruler. His subsequent acts of cruelty and his divorce and immediate remarriage (795) alienated his supporters.
Constantine VI and the regency of Irene, 780–797. The only child of Emperor Leo IV and Irene, Constantine VI was crowned co-emperor by his father in 776. Leo's premature death in 780 left Constantine as sole emperor at the age of nine, with Irene serving as his regent. Gold solidus showing Irene alongside her son Constantine VI
Definition. 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.
Constantine VI, b. c.770, Byzantine emperor (780–97), son and successor of Leo IV. His mother, Irene, was regent until 790, when she was deposed by a military revolt. Constantine recalled her in 792 and made her joint ruler. His subsequent acts of cruelty and his divorce and immediate remarriage (795) alienated his supporters.
