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Irene of Athens

Type Figure Region Europe Time c. 752–803 Also known as Irene of Athens、Irene Sarantapechaina、Εἰρήνη ἡ Ἀθηναία、雅典的伊琳娜

Byzantine empress (r. 797–802), born into an Athenian noble family; regent after marrying Leo IV, she later deposed her son Constantine VI to rule al…

Timeline

  1. c. 752–768Athens · Byzantine EmpireIrene was born into the Athenian noble Sarantapechos family, beautiful and intelligent. In 768 she was selected to enter the palace and married the crown prince Leo IV, becoming an important member of the Isaurian dynasty.
  2. 768–797Constantinople · Byzantine EmpireAfter Leo IV died in 780, Irene served as regent for her young son Constantine VI, gradually seizing control of government and allying with the iconophile faction, paving the way for the restoration of icon veneration.
  3. 797–802Constantinople · Byzantine EmpireIn 797 Irene deposed and blinded her son Constantine VI, proclaiming herself empress. In 787 she presided over the Second Council of Nicaea, formally restoring icon veneration; in 800 she refused to recognize Charlemagne as Roman emperor, provoking Western discontent.
  4. 802–803Lesbos · Byzantine EmpireIn 802 Nikephoros I seized power in a coup, overthrowing Irene and exiling her to a convent on the island of Lesbos, where she died the following year. Her reign ended the Isaurian dynasty and also marked the formal end of the Iconoclast era.

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