Irene of Athens
Upon the death of her husband, Emperor Leo IV, Irene of Athens became regent for her 10-year-old son, Constantine VI. She successfully defended her position against numerous plots and dominated her son in the process.
Empress Irene was a strong proponent of the use of Icons in the Christian church, a practice that had been prohibited for 60 years. After violent opposition from Iconoclasts, Irene managed to arrange the Second Council of Nicaea in 787, at which the use of Icons was restored. For this and for her patronage of monasteries, Irene is considered a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
When her son grew older and tried to wrest his indepencence from his mother, Irene had him blinded and imprisoned. She then took the title of Emperor for herself, becoming the first woman to rule the empire. Irene was also rumored to have considered a marriage to Charlemagne, who visited Constantinople during her reign.
In 802 Irene was deposed and exiled to Prinkipo (now Büyükada) and then to Lesbos, where she died.
Important Dates
Died: Aug. 9, 803
On the Web
Biographical
Empress Irene 751-803
Poor site design detracts from an otherwise informative bio at Mabelyn.com's Infamous Women site.
Of Special
Interest
(142) Irene
A little background accompanies pics of this coin bearing Irene's image and minted in the late 8th or early 9th century.
Related
Background
Catholic Encyclopedia: Iconoclasm
A thorough explanation of the controversy over the use of Icons in the Christian church by Adrian Fortescue.Second Council of Nicaea - 787 A.D.
A fairly complete rendering of the substance of the Council, taken from Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils edited by Norman P. Tanner.
In Print
The link below will take you to a site where you can compare prices at booksellers across the web. More in-depth info about the book may be found by clicking on to the book's page at one of the online merchants.
A Short History of Byzantium
by John Julius Norwich
Related Resources
Byzantine Studies
A multilevel index of useful and interesting sites related to general Byzantine studies, Art and Architecture, Music, and more about the Eastern Roman Empire.Women of the Middle Ages
Index to online biographies, general introductions and in-depth analyses of women in all walks of life.
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