Same She was the wife of Leo IV. Although she was an orphan, her uncle or cousin Constantine Sarantapechos was a patrician and was possibly strategos of the theme of Hellas at the end of the 8th century. 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, and co-emperor with him. Vita Irenes, 'La vie de l'impératrice Sainte Irène', ed. Empress Irene of Athens was the first female ruler of the Byzantine Empire. According to the contemporary Byzantine historian Theophanes, the scheme was frustrated by one of Irene’s favourites. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Irene-Byzantine-empress-752-803, Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors - Biography of Constantine VI and Irene. An unnamed female relative was married to the Bulgar ruler Telerig in 776. He was 26 years old. Information and translations of irene of athens in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the Treadgold, 'The Unpublished Saint's Life of the Empress Irene', Byzantinische Forschungen, 7 (1982) 237-51. https://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Irene_of_Athens&oldid=120658. Then, through the use of a bride-show, Irene selected Maria of Amnia as Constantine's bride. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Irene of Athens is one of the Great People specifically a Great Merchant in Civilization VI. The rival factions continued their intrigues and, in 797, Constantine found it necessary to flee the palace. Her family background is not known. Irene then reigned alone as emperor (not empress) for five years. Theodore the Studite wrote a praising letter [1] to Irene because of her work in supporting icons. Events came to a head when emissaries from Charlemagne and Pope Leo arrived in Constantinople with a proposal of marriage between Irene and Charlemagne. Irene was born in Athens about the year 752. Also, to open the posts of this year, certainly later than planned, we begin with the Byzantine Empress Irene of Athens and how important she was to the Orthodox Eastern Church. Irene was born to a noble Greekfamily of Athens, the Sarantapechos family. At this time, October 31, 802, the nobles of the empire, having been concerned with her financial incompetency, took action and chose Nikephoros, Irene's finance minister, as emperor. In 798 she opened diplomatic relations with the Western emperor Charlemagne, and in 802 a marriage between her and Charlemagne was reportedly contemplated. Civilization VI Wiki is a Fandom Gaming Community. As Constantine approached maturity, he grew resentful of his mother’s controlling influence in the empire. In 802 a conspiracy of officials and generals deposed her and placed on the throne Nicephorus, the minister of finance. What does irene of athens mean? As Constantine matured he became involved in plots to wrestle control from Irene. Before becoming empress, she was consort to Leo IV from 775 to 780 and empress dowager from 780 to 797. She was brought to Constantinopleby Emperor Constantine Von November 1, 769, and was married to his son Leo IVon December 17. For what she thought was for the safety and protection of her family To forestall threats of disloyalty and to strengthen her position in these feuds, Irene demanded that oaths of fidelity be taken only in her name. They are considered the most important person in … When it comes to Irene of Athens, who ruled the Byzantine Empire at the turn of the 9 th century, iconoclasm was fine as long as it wasn’t for religious reasons. Lethal and beautiful, one of the most evil women in history but also one of the most influential. After Irene's deposition, the forces for iconoclasm returned to power, finally to be defeated under another strong iconodule leader, the Empress Theodora. Each of these women's stories is a great … By skillful intrigues with the bishops and courtiers she organized a conspiracy against Constantine, who was arrested and blinded at his mother’s orders (797). By this marriage they had two daughters, Euphrosyne and Irene. Irene of Athens - Champion of Orthodoxy and the Birth of the Welfare State. Britannica Explores. However, after she had disclosed the location of the imperial treasures she held Nikephoros banished her to the island of Lesbos, where she supported herself by spinning. It is believed that she was born of a Greek noble family. She apparently was a beautiful but orphaned girl who at the age of seventeen was brought to Constantinople by the Emperor Constantine V to be married to his son Leo in November 769. Constantine VI was proclaimed sole ruler and his mother banished from court. Irene Serantapechaina, known as Irene of Athens or Irene the Athenian (Greek: Ειρήνη η Αθηναία, "Eirēnē") (c. 752 – August 9, 803) was a Byzantine empress regnant from 797 to 802, having previously been Empress consort from Please leave this field empty Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and join Updates? Irene favoured the restoration of the use of icons, which had been prohibited in 730. This letter became the beginning of the misconception that Irene is considered a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Irene, (born c. 752, Athens—died Aug. 9, 803, Lesbos), Byzantine ruler and saint of the Greek Orthodox Church who was instrumental in restoring the use of icons in the Eastern Roman Empire. With Leo's death, his son became emperor as Constantine VI, but since he was only ten years old his mother Irene was installed with him as co-emperor, and she immediately reversed the iconoclastic policies of her husband. Later in that year she crushed what seems to have been a plot by the Iconoclasts (opposers of the use of icons) to put Leo’s half brother, Nicephorus, on the throne. She sponsored many philanthropic endeavors, remitting taxes and canceling payments from soldiers' widows, which were required in lieu of the deceased soldiers' military service. Irene also had a nephew. Her zeal for the restoration of icons put an end to the most virulent phase of iconoclasm in the Byzantine empire and paved the way for the permanent acceptance of icons in the Orthodox Church. An attempt to seize power was crushed by the Empress, who demanded that the military oath of fidelity should recognize her as senior ruler. Initially convened in Constantinople on August 1, 786, the council was moved to Nicea in May 787 because of the instigated opposition in Constantinople of soldiers loyal to the iconoclasts who forced the dissolution of the 786 sessions. FAQs. Irene of Athens (c.752-30 September 806), also known as Irene Sarantapechos, was the Byzantine Empress regnant from 797 to 806. Biography Irene was born in 752 to the House of Sarantapechos, the daughter of Theophylaktos Sarantapechos, and she married Emperor Leo IV of Byzantium. Irene was a strong iconodule. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. She was born about 752. Born in Athens of a Greek noble family, between the years of 750 and 755, little is known regarding Irene Sarantapechaina's life before ascending to the Byzantine throne. By her marriage to Emperor Leo IV the Khazar, Irene had only one son Constantine VI, whom she succeeded on the throne. Upon the death of Constantine V in 775, Irene's husband Leo ascended to the throne as Leo IV. Irene of Athens Biography: Irene came from a noble family in Athens. Seeking closer relations with the Carolingians, Irene negotiated a marriage between her son and Rotrude, who was a daughter of Charlemagne by his third wife Hildegard. Meaning of irene of athens. She is most remembered for her marriage to Charlemagne in 803, unifying the Franks and the Byzantines. Irene, (born c. 752, Athens—died Aug. 9, 803, Lesbos), Byzantine ruler and saint of the Greek Orthodox Church who was instrumental in restoring the use of icons in the Eastern Roman Empire. She was exiled, first to the island of Prinkipo (now Büyükada) and then to Lesbos. Her feast day is August 9. Corrections? To blunt the threat from the half-brothers, she had them ordained as priests, since clergy could not rule. She apparently was a beautiful but orphaned girl who at the age of seventeen was brought to Constantinople by the Emperor Constantine V to be married to his son Leo in November 769. It is believed that she was born of a Greek noble family. Irene (c. 752 - 9 August 803) was a Byzantine empress (although she called herself basileus, the male form of the word "emperor," rather than basilissa, "empress") from 797 to 802. Definition of irene of athens in the Definitions.net dictionary. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Leo, however, was a steadfast iconoclastwho, according to tradition, found that Irene possessed icons and thereafter would no longer … Ruling alone, Irene reigned from 797 to 802, calling herself basileus (βασιλεύς), "emperor," rather than basilissa (βασίλισσα), "empress." Rivalries in court also intensified. In 790, discontent swelled to open resistance when soldiers from the Theme of Armeniacs proclaimed Constantine the sole ruler. When Leo died in 780, she became regent for her nine-year-old son. Though this claim is not supported by the Menaion, the "Lives of Saints" by Nikodemos the Hagiorite, or any other related book of the Orthodox Church, some Western sources [2] still cite Irene as a saint of the Orthodox Church, based on the writings of the Bollandists. She showed little interest in finance or diplomacy, but made her mark in the Orthodox Christian world by rejection of iconoclasm. This came at a critical point in history, when the eastern empire was controlled by iconoclasts. She ruled jointly with her son, Constantine, after the death of her husband Leo. Although she was an orphan, her uncle, Constantine Sarantapechos, was a patricianand possibly strategosof the themeof Hellas. Irene's place in the Orthodox Christian church is that of a strong defender of the veneration of images. Learning from the experience in Constantinople, Irene arranged that the council in 787 would be away from the capital, in Nicea, which incidentally was the site of Constantine the Great's council of 325. Irene of Athens was the wife of the Byzantine Emperor Leo IV and mother of Constantine VI, both strong iconoclasts. Being in poor health, Leo died after only five years as emperor, on September 8, 780. However, Irene broke off the engagement in 788, over her son's objections. Irene was also known for her generous financial policies, which were especially friendly to monasteries. Leo, however, was a steadfast iconoclast who, according to tradition, found that Irene possessed icons and thereafter would no longer share their marriage bed. Irene of Athens, Byzantine basilissa, is comparable to Egyptian queen Hatshepsut, and Russian empress Catherine the Great. Irene was born c. 752 to the influential Sarantapechos family of Athens (hence the moniker); she was brought to Constantinople by Emperor Constantine V and married to his son Leo in 768. With the election of Tarasius as the Patriarch of Constantinople on December 25, 784, she was able to convene the Seventh Ecumenical Council. Irene of Athens is credited as Byzantine empress, Isaurian Dynasty, Pala D'oro, Venice. The marriage, however, was very unpopular with the Church, because its legality was seriously questioned. A female relative of Irene, Theophano was chosen in 807 by Empereor Nikephoros as the bride of his son Staurakios. Irene of Athensの意味や使い方 エイレーネー (東ローマ女帝)エイレーネー“アテナイア”（ギリシア語：Ἐιρήνη ἡ Ἀθηναία, Eirēnē hē Athēnaiā、752年 - 803年8月9日）は、東ローマ帝国イサウリ... - 約1171万語ある英和辞典・和英辞典。 By 792, the feud between Irene and her son had cooled and Irene's title as empress was confirmed. Please consider supporting OrthodoxWiki. Anger at the demand prompted the themes (administrative divisions) of Asia Minor to open resistance in 790. She had Tarasius, one of her supporters, elected patriarch of Constantinople and then summoned a general church council on the subject. She was brought to Constantinople by Emperor Constantine V on 1 November 769, and was married to his son Leo IV on 17 December. Her family background is not known. Although she was an orphan, her uncle, Constantine Sarantapechos, was a patrician and possibly strategos of the theme of Hellas. Irene was born to a noble Greek family of Athens, the Sarantapechos family. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Their son was born just a little She gave birth to a son, Constantine, on January 14, 771. Since Irene didn’t have any siblings, she must have had quite a lonely childhood being shuttled from one house to another. Irene of Athens was one of the most ruthless, ambitious, and forceful women ever to hold a throne and, in her determination to prevent her son from reigning and her boldness in daring to become the first woman ever to hold the Roman throne, she ranks with Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt and Catherine the Great as a profound breaker with dynastic tradition. Her common name was Irene Sarantapechaina, she was born to a noble family in Athens; but she became an orphan at a young age, her uncle took her under his wing and using his political influences, he helped her to secure a an advantageous marriage. Portraits [] She was also known to have initiated the Second Council of Nicea. Irene was related to the noble Greek Sarantapechos family of Athens. The council affirmed the principle of veneration of icons and declared iconoclasm a heresy. Irene had taken a hands-off attitude with Constantine's handling of his marriage. Thus the two halves of the Roman empire would be united. If you find our videos helpful you can support us by buying something from amazon. Irene of Athens (Greek: Εἰρήνη ἡ Ἀθηναία, Eirénē ē Athēnaía; c. 752 – 9 August 803), surnamed Sarantapechaina (Σαρανταπήχαινα), was Byzantine empress consort by marriage to Emperor Leo IV from 775 to 780, regent during the minority of her son Constantine VI from 780 until 790, co-regent from 792 until 797, and finally sole ruler and first empress regnant of the Byzantine Empire from 797 to 802. Not having a dynastic background, Irene was continually confronted by opposition forces, some of whom used Leo's half-brothers as figureheads. Then, she had them administer communion at the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord to demonstrate that they had rejected politics. Irene was born in Athens, sometime between 750-755. The couple were married in November 788. Empress Irene of Athens was the first female ruler of the Byzantine Empire. Irene of Athens is similar to these monarches: Tzitzak, Theophylact (son of Michael I), Aelia Eudocia and more. Irene of Athens was the first woman to be sole ruler (Autokrator) of the Byzantine empire. This council, in contrast with the robber council of 754 in Hieria, was attended by the patriarchs or their representatives. She was also known to have initiated the Second Council of Nicea. It is believed that she was born of a Greek noble family. In January 771 Irene gave birth to a son, the goal of all queens and empresses of the time. Irene was born in Athens about the year 752. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Nikephoros was then crowned by Patriarch Tarasius in Hagia Sophia Cathedral. Captured by forces friendly to Irene, Constantine was brought back to Constantinople to the Purple Palace, Porphyra, where he was born, and there blinded in mid-August 797, apparently with the foreknowledge of his mother, Irene. She gave birth to a son, Constantine, on January 14, 771. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Meet extraordinary women who dared to bring gender equality and other issues to the forefront. We don’t know much about her parents, but she was very young when they passed, leaving the poor little girl at the mercy of different relatives. Her family background is not known. Irene of Athens (Greek: Εἰρήνη ἡ Ἀθηναία; c. 752 – 9 August 803 AD), also known as Irene Sarantapechaina (Greek: Εἰρήνη Σαρανταπήχαινα), was Byzantine empress from 797 to 802. Another council, which is recognized by both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches as the Seventh Ecumenical Council, met at Nicaea in 787 and restored the cult of images. When it met in Constantinople in 786, it was broken up by Iconoclast soldiers stationed in that city. 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