Appendix: Byzantine Empresses

Kalavrezou, Ioli

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Appendix: Byzantine Empresses

Ioli Kalavrezou

Byzantine Women and Their World

Appendix: Byzantine Empresses

Author

Ioli Kalavrezou

PublisherHarvard Art Museums

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00029.019

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-18210

Appendix: Byzantine Empresses

Names in italics indicate empresses who were sole rulers, regents, or co-rulers with adults other than husbands.1The list is selective. Dates of elevation for Eastern empresses of the fourth through eighth century are taken mostly from James 2001, 168–69, appendix 1; dates for empresses and emperors of the middle through late Byzantine period are largely based on Garland 1999, 229–31, table 1.

* Depicted on coinage.

EMPRESS	CIRCUMSTANCES OF ACCESSION	SOCIAL/FAMILY HISTORY
*Flavia Julia Helena	Elevated by son, Constantine I (sole augustus 324–37); augusta from c. 325; d. c. 329	Former innkeeper, consort of Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus (augustus 305–6)
*Flavia Maxima Fausta	By marriage to Constantine I (sole augustus 324–37); augusta after 306 or c. 325; d. 326	2nd wife of Constantine I; daughter of Roman Emperor Maximian (augustus 286–305); mother of Constantius II (r. 337–61)
*Constantia	By imperial birth, d. c. 330	Wife of Roman Emperor Licinius (augustus 308–24); sister of Constantine I (sole augustus 324–37)
Anonyma	By marriage to Constantius II (r. 337–61)	1st wife and cousin of Constantius II
Eusebia	By marriage to Constantius II (r. 337–61)	2nd wife of Constantius II; daughter of consul from Macedonia
Faustina	By marriage to Constantius II (r. 337–61)	3rd wife of Constantius II; mother of Constantia “Posthuma,” wife of Gratian (emperor in the West 375–83)
Constantina (a.k.a. Constantia)	By imperial birth; made augusta by father, Constantine I (sole augustus 324–37); d. 354	Wife of Hannibal 335–37, then Gallus Caesar 351–54; daughter of Constantine I; sister of Constantius II (r. 337–61)
Helena	Imperial birth; marriage to Julian (r. 361–63)	Wife of Julian; daughter of Fausta and Constantine I (sole augustus 324–37)
Charito	By marriage to Jovian (r. 363–64)	Wife of Jovian
Marina Severa	By marriage to Valentinian I (emperor in the West 364–75)	1st wife of Valentinian I; mother of Gratian (emperor in the West 375–83)
Justina (regent 383-c. 388)	By marriage to Valentinian I (r. 364–75)	2nd wife of Valentinian I; widow of Magnentius (emperor in the West 350–53); mother of Valentinian II (emperor in the West 375–92)
Domnica	By marriage to Valens (r. 364–78); made augusta at unknown date	Wife of Valens
Constantia “Posthuma"	Imperial birth; marriage to Gratian (emperor in the West 375–83); made augusta at marriage in 374?	Wife of Gratian; daughter of Faustina and Constantius II (r. 337–61)
*Aelia Flavia Flacilla	By marriage to Theodosios I (r. 379–95); augusta 379–85	1st wife of Theodosios I; from aristocratic Spanish family; mother of Arkadios (r. 395–408) and Honorios (emperor in the West 395–423)
Galla	Imperial birth; marriage to Theodosios I (r. 379–95); made augusta at unknown date; d. 394	2nd wife of Theodosios I; daughter of Justina and Valentinian I (emperor in the West 364–75); mother of Galla Placidia (augusta in the West 421–50)
*Aelia Eudoxia	By marriage to Arkadios (r. 395–408); augusta 400–404	Wife of Arkadios; daughter of Frankish general and consul; mother of Theodosios II (r. 408–50) and Pulcheria (augusta 414–53)
Maria	By marriage to Honorios (emperor in the West 395–423)	1st wife of Honorios; daughter of general and consul Stilicho (d. 408)
Thermantia	By marriage to Honorios (emperor in the West 395–423)	2nd wife of Honorios; daughter of general and consul Stilicho (d. 408)
*Aelia Pulcheria	By imperial birth; marriage to Marcian (r. 450–57); augusta 414–53	Older sister of Theodosios II; wife of Marcian
*Aelia Galla Placidia (regent 423–39)	Imperial birth; marriage to Constantius III (emperor in the West 421); made augusta 421 at husbands accession; d. 450	Wife of Visigothic King Athaulf, then Constantius III; daughter of Galla and Theodosios I (r. 379–95); mother of Valentinian III (emperor in the West 425–55) and Justa Grata Honoria
*Aelia Eudokia	By marriage to Theodosios II (r. 408–50); made augusta at marriage in 423; d. 460	Wife of Theodosios II; previous name Athenais, daughter of pagan Athenian philosopher; mother of Licinia Eudoxia
*Aelia Licinia Eudoxia	Imperial birth; marriage to Valentinian III (emperor in the West 425–55); augusta 439–55?; d. after 462	Wife of Valentinian III; daughter of Eudokia and Theodosios II (r. 408–50); mother of Placidia
*justa Grata Honoria	By imperial birth; augusta c. 4262–49?	Daughter of Galla Placidia and Constantius III (emperor in the West 421); sister of Valentinian III (emperor in the West 425–55)
*Aelia Verina	By marriage to Leo I (r. 457–74); made augusta c. 457 at husbands accession; d. 484	Wife of Leo I; relative of Julius Nepos (emperor in the West 474–80) and Odoacer, Gothic leader; mother of Ariadne (augusta 4742–515)
*Aelia Marcia Euphemia	By marriage to Anthemios (emperor in the West 467–72); augusta	Wife of Anthemios; daughter of Marcian (r. 450–57)
Placidia	Imperial birth; marriage to Olybrios (emperor in the West 472)	Daughter of Licinia Eudoxia and Valentinian III (emperor in the West 425–55); mother of Anicia Juliana, ecclesiastical patron and heiress of the Theodosian imperial line
*Aelia Ariadne	Imperial birth; marriage to Zeno (r. 474–91); made augusta 474? at accession of Zeno; d. 515	Wife of Zeno, then Anastasios I (r. 491–518); daughter of Verina and Leo I (r. 457–74)
*Aelia Zenonis	By marriage to Basiliskos (r. 475–76); made augusta 475 at husbands accession; d. 476	Wife of Basiliskos, brother of Verina; perhaps relative of Zeno
Euphemia	By marriage to Justin I (r. 518–27); made augusta 518? at husbands accession?	Wife of Justin I; previous name Lupicina, former slave
Theodora	By marriage to Justinian I (r. 527–65); made augusta 527 at promotion of husband to co-emperor?; d. 548	Wife of Justinian I; former circus dancer; daughter of animal keeper Akakios and dancer/actress in the Constantinople hippodrome
*Aelia Sophia	By marriage to Justin II (r. 565–78); made augusta 565 at husbands accession	Wife of Justin II; niece of Theodora
*Aelia Anastasia	By marriage to Tiberios I (r. 578–82); made augusta 578 at husband’s accession	Wife of Tiberios; previous name Ino; widow of John Optio; mother of Constantina (augusta by 585–602)
*Aelia Constantina	Imperial birth; marriage to Maurice (r. 582–602); augusta by 585–602; elevated at husbands accession?	Wife of Maurice; previous name Augusta; daughter of Anastasia and Tiberios (r. 578–82)
*Leontia	By marriage to Phokas (r. 602–10); made augusta 602 at husbands accession	Wife of Phokas; daughter of the patrician Sergios
Aelia Flavia Eudokia	By marriage to Herakleios, (r. 610–41); made augusta 610 at coronation; d. 612	1st wife of Herakleios, previous name Fabia; perhaps daughter of the exarch Rogas, head of an aristocratic African family; mother of Herakleios-Constantine (co. augustus 641)
*Martina (co-ruler 641–42)	By marriage to Herakleios (r. 610–41); made augusta c. 613 at marriage	2nd wife and niece of Herakleios; mother of Heraklonas (co-augustus 641–42)
Gregoria (regent 642–before 650?)2Herrin 2001, 24–25.	By marriage to Herakleios-Constantine (co-augustus 641)	Wife of Herakleios-Constantine; daughter of Niketas, patrician and general; mother of Constans II (r. 641–68)
Fausta	By marriage to Constans II (r. 641–68); made augusta at unknown date	Wife of Constans II; of Armenian origin; daughter of Valentinos Arsakuni (usurper 645); mother of Constantine IV (r. 668–85)
Anastasia	By marriage to Constantine IV (augustus 668–85), made augusta at unknown date	Wife of Constantine IV, mother of Justinian II (augustus 685–95, 705–11)
Eudokia	By marriage to Justinian II (r. 685–95, 705–11)	1st wife of Justinian II
Theodora	By marriage to Justinian II (r. 685–95, 705–11); made augusta after 705?, at husband’s re-accession?	2nd wife of Justinian II; sister of the khazar khagan
Irene	By marriage to Anastasios II (r. 713–15); made augusta at unknown date	Wife of Anastasios II
Maria	By marriage to Leo III (augustus 717–41), made augusta 718 at sons baptism	Wife of Leo III, mother of Constantine V (augustus 741–75)
Irene	By marriage to Constantine V (emperor 741–75)	1st wife of Constantine V; former name Čiček, daughter of the khazar khagan; mother of Leo IV (r. 775–80)
Maria	By marriage to Constantine V (r. 741–75); made augusta at marriage 750–52?	2nd wife of Constantine V
Eudokia	By marriage to Constantine V (r. 741–75); made augusta 769, at marriage?	3rd wife of Constantine V
*Irene (regent 780–90, restored 792, sole ruler 797–802)	By marriage to Leo IV (r. 775–80); made augusta 768, just before marriage	Wife of Leo IV; from aristocratic Athenian family; mother of Constantine VI (r. 780–97); sanctified for restoration of holy icons
Maria of Amnia	By marriage to Constantine VI (r. 780–97); made augusta, at marriage in 788?; divorced and exiled 795	1st wife of Constantine VI; from aristocratic Amnian family; mother of Euphrosyne (wife of Michael II, r. 820–29)
Theodote	By marriage to Constantine VI (r. 780–97); made augusta 795 just before marriage	2nd wife and former mistress of Constantine VI
Theophano	By marriage to Staurakios (r. 811); made augusta, at husband’s accession?	Wife of Staurakios; from Athens; relative of Irene (sole ruler 797–802)
Prokopia	Imperial birth; marriage to Michael I Rangabè (r. 811–13)	Wife of Michael I Rangabè; daughter of Nikephoros I (r. 802–11); sister of Staurakios (r. 811)
Theodosia	By marriage to Leo V (r. 813–20)	Wife of Leo V; daughter of Armenian patrician Arsaber; as widow exiled by Michael II (r. 820–29) for her orthodox religious beliefs
Thekla	By marriage to Michael II (r. 820–29)	1st wife of Michael II; daughter of Anatolian theme commander; mother of Theophilos (r. 829–42)
Euphrosyne	Imperial birth; marriage to Michael II (r. 820–29); made augusta at marriage?, date unknown	2nd wife of Michael II; daughter of Maria of Amnia and Constantine VI (r. 780–97)
*Theodora (regent 842–56)	By marriage to Theophilos (r. 829–42); made augusta 830 at marriage	Wife of Theophilos; from aristocratic Paphlagonian family; mother of Michael III (r. 842–67) and augustae Thekla, Anna, *Anastasia; sanctified for her permanent restoration of holy icons
*Thekla (co-regent with Theodora (842–56?)	By imperial birth; made augusta at unknown date	Eldest child of Theodora and Theophilos (r. 829–42); sister of Michael III (r. 842–67)
Eudokia Dekapolitissa	By marriage to Michael III (r. 842–67); made augusta 855 at marriage?	Wife of Michael III; daughter of court official
*Eudokia Ingerina	By marriage to Basil I (r. 867–86); made augusta 867 at husband’s accession	2nd wife of Basil I; mistress of Michael III (emperor 842–67); daughter of court official, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; mother of Leo VI (r. 886–912)
Theophano Martinakiou	By marriage to Leo VI (r. 886–912); made augusta 882? at marriage?; d. c. 896	1st wife of Leo VI; daughter of patrician and relative of Eudokia Ingerina; sanctified
Zoe Zaoutzaina	By marriage to Leo VI (r. 886–912); made augusta 898?, at marriage?; d. c. 900	2nd wife and former mistress of Leo VI; daughter of Stylianos Zaoutzes, captain of palace guard; mother of Anna
Anna	By imperial birth; made augusta c. 900 by father, Leo VI (r. 886–912)	Daughter of Zoe Zaoutzaina and Leo VI; wife of Louis III of Provence
Eudokia Baiane	By marriage to Leo VI (r. 886–912); made augusta 900?, at marriage?; d. 901	3rd wife of Leo VI
*Zoe Karbounopsina (regent 914–19)	By marriage to Leo VI (r. 886–912); made augusta 906, soon after baptism of son and marriage	4th wife and former mistress of Leo VI; from aristocratic family influential at court; mother of Constantine VII (r. 913–59)
Helena Lekapena	By marriage to Constantine VII (r. 913–59); made augusta c. 919? at marriage?	Wife of Constantine VII; daughter of Romanos Lekapenos (r. 920–44); mother of Romanos II (r. 959–63) and Theodora
Theodora	By marriage to Romanos I Lekapenos (r. 920–44)	Wife of Romanos I
Eudokia	By marriage in 944 to Romanos II (r. 959–63); d. 949	1st wife of Romanos II; previous name Bertha, daughter of Hugo, king of Italy
Theophano (regent 963)	By marriage to Romanos II (r. 959–63); made augusta, c. 955, at marriage?; d. 976	2nd wife of Romanos II; then 2nd wife of Nikephoros II Phokas (r. 963–69); previous name Anastaso, daughter of innkeeper?; mother of Basil II (r. 976–1025) and Constantine VIII (r. 1025–28)
Theodora	By imperial birth; marriage in 970 to John I Tzimiskes (r. 969–76)	Wife of John I Tzimiskes; daughter of Helena Lekapena and Constantine VII (r. 913–59)
Helena Alypia	By marriage to Constantine VIII (r. 1025–28)	Wife of Constantine VIII; mother of augustae Zoe and Theodora (co-rulers 1042)
*Zoe (co-ruler 1042 with Theodora)	By imperial birth; marriage to three emperors	Daughter of Helena Alypia and Constantine VIII (r. 1025–28); married Romanos III Argyros (r. 1028–34), Michael IV (r. 1034–41), Constantine IX Monomachos (r. 1042–55)
*Theodora (co-ruler 1042 with Zoe; sole ruler 1055–56)	By imperial birth	Daughter of Helena Alypia and Constantine VIII (r. 1025–28)
Aikaterina	By marriage to Isaak I Komnenos (r. 1057–59)	Wife of Isaak I Komnenos; daughter of John Vladislav, ruler of Bulgaria
*Eudokia Makrembolitissa (sole ruler 1067)	By marriage to Constantine IX Doukas (r. 1059–67); made augusta, at Constantine’s accession?	2nd wife of Constantine IX Doukas; then wife of Romanos IV Diogenes (r. 1068–71); niece of Michael Keroularios (patriarch 1043–58); mother of Michael VII Doukas (r. 1071–78)
*Maria of Alania (Georgia)	By marriage to Michael VII Doukas (r. 1071–78); made augusta, at Michaels accession?	Wife of Michael VII, then Nikephoros III Botaneiates (r. 1078–81); previous name Martha, daughter of Bagrat IV, king of Georgia (1027–72)
*Irene Doukaina	By marriage to Alexios I Komnenos (r. 1081–1118); made augusta 1081, soon after husband’s accession	2nd wife of Alexios I; daughter of general Andronikos Doukas and Maria of Bulgaria; mother of John II Komnenos (r. 1118–43) and chronicler Anna Komnene, sebaste (b. 1083, d. c. 1153)
Anna Dalassene (regent periodically during reign of Alexios I Komnenos)3Although not technically an empress, Anna Dalassene had substantial official powers as a regent.	Granted regency by chrysobull of Alexios I Komnenos (r. 1081–1118)	Mother of Alexios I; wife of John I Komnenos, brother of Isaak I Komnenos (r. 1057–59)
*Irene of Hungary	By marriage to John II Komnenos (r. 1118–43); made augusta, at husband’s accession?; d. 1134	Wife of John II; previous name Piriska, daughter of Saint Ladislas of Hungary; mother of Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143–80); sanctified
Irene of Sulzbach	By marriage to Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143–80); made augusta at marriage in 1146?; d. c. 1159	1st wife of Manuel I; previous name Bertha, sister-in-law of Konrad III Hohenstaufen (king of Germany 1138–52)
Maria-Xena of Antioch (regent 1180–82)	By marriage to Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143–80); made augusta 1161, at marriage?; d. 1182	2nd wife of Manuel I; previous name Marguerite-Constance, daughter of Count Raymond of Poitiers and Constance of Antioch; mother of Alexios II Komnenos (r. 1180–83)
Anna of Savoy	By marriage to Alexios II Komnenos (r. 1180–83); augusta	Wife of Alexios II, then Andronikos I Komnenos (r. 1183–85); previous name Agnes, daughter of Louis VII (king of France 1137–80)
Maria of Hungary	By marriage to Isaak II Angelos (r. 1185–95, 1203–4)	2nd wife of Isaak II; former name Margaret, daughter of Béla III (king of Hungary from 1172)
Euphrosyne Doukaina	By marriage to Alexios III Angelos (r. 1195–1203); made augusta, at husbands accession?; d. c. 1211	Wife of Alexios III; daughter of Andronikos Doukas Kamateros (eparch of Constantinople); mother of Eudokia (wife of Alexios V Doukas, r. 1204) and Anna (wife of Theodore I Laskaris (r. 1204–21)
Eudokia	Imperial birth; marriage to Alexios V Doukas Mourtzouphlos (r. 1204)	2nd wife of Alexios V; then married Leo Sgouros, ruler of Corinth; daughter of Euphrosyne and Alexios III Angelos (r. 1195–1203)
Empire of Nicaea (the Byzantine Empire in exile from Constantinople 1204–61)
Anna	Imperial birth; marriage (1199) to Theodore I Laskaris (first emperor of Nicaea, r. 1204–21)	1st wife of Theodore I; daughter of Euphrosyne Doukaina and Alexios III Angelos (r. 1195–1203); mother of Irene
Philippa	By marriage to Theodore I Laskaris (first emperor of Nicaea, r. 1204–21)	2nd wife of Theodore I; from Lesser Armenia
Maria of Courtenay	By marriage (1219) to Theodore I Laskaris (first emperor of Nicaea, r. 1204–21)	3rd wife of Theodore I; daughter of Yolande, Latin empress of Constantinople (sole ruler 1217–19)
Irene	Imperial birth; marriage to John III Doukas Vatatzes (r. 1221–54)	1st wife of John III; daughter of Anna and Theodore I Laskaris (r. 1204–21); mother of Theodore II Doukas Laskaris (r. 1254–58)
Anna of Hohenstaufen	By marriage (1244) to John III Doukas Vatatzes (r. 1221–54)	2nd wife of John III; previous name Constance, daughter of Frederick III Hohenstaufen (king of Sicily 1198–1250, emperor of Germany 1212–50)
Helena	By marriage to Theodore II Laskaris (r. 1254–58)	Wife of Theodore II; daughter of John Asen II (tsar of Bulgaria 1218–41); mother of John IV Laskaris (r. 1258–61)
Empire Restored to Constantinople (1261–1453)
Theodora Doukaina Komnene Palaiologina	By marriage to Michael VIII Palaiologos (r. 1259–82)	Wife of Michael III; great-niece of John III Doukas Vatatzes (emperor of Nicaea 1221–54); mother of Andronikos II Palaiologos (r. 1282–1320)
Anna of Hungary	By marriage (1273) to Andronikos II Palaiologos (r. 1282–1320); d. 1281/2	1st wife of Andronikos II; daughter of Stephen V (king of Hungary); mother of Michael IX Palaiologos (co-emperor 1294–1320)
Irene of Montferrat	By marriage (1284/5) to Andronikos II Palaiologos (r. 1282–1320); crowned after sons birth 1288/9; d. 1317	2nd wife of Andronikos II; previous name Yolanda, daughter of William VII of Montferrat; heiress to Kingdom of Thessaloniki
Maria of Armenia	By marriage (1296) to Michael IX Palaiologos (coemperor 1294–1320)	Wife of Michael IX; previous name Rita, sister of Het’um (ruler of Armenian Cicilia); mother of Andronikos III Palaiologos (r. 1328–41)
Irene of Brunswick	By marriage to Andronikos III Palaiologos (r. 1328–41); d. 1322	1st wife of Andronikos III; previous name Adelheid of Brunswick-Grubenhägen
*Anna of Savoy (regent 1341–47, ruler of Thessaloniki 1352–65)	By marriage (1326) to Andronikos III Palaiologos (r. 1328–41); d. 1365	2nd wife of Andronikos III; previous name Giovanna, daughter of Count Amadeus V of Savoy; mother of John V Palaiologos (r. 1341–91)
Helena	By marriage (1326) to John V Palaiologos (r. 1341–91)	Wife of John V; daughter of Irene Asanina and John VI Kantakouzenos (rival emperor 1347–54); mother of Andronikos IV Palaiologos (r. 1376–79) and Manuel II Palaiologos (r. 1391–1425)
Irene Asanina	By marriage to John VI Kantakouzenos (r. 1347–54)	Wife of John VI; mother of Matthew Kantakouzenos (co-emperor 1353–57)
Maria	By marriage to Andronikos IV Palaiologos (r. 1376–79)	Wife of Andronikos IV; previous name Kyratza, daughter of Ivan Alexander (tsar of Bulgaria 1331–71)
Eugenia	By marriage to John VII Palaiologos (r. 1390)	Wife of John VII; daughter of Francesco II Gattilusio (ruler of Mytilene/Lesbos)
Helena	By marriage (1392) to Manuel II Palaiologos (r. 1341–91);	Wife of John Manuel II; daughter of Constantine Dragash (ruler of Serbia, d. 1395); mother of John VIII Palaiologos (r. 1425–48) and Constantine IX Palaiologos (r. 1449–53)
Anna	By marriage to John VIII Palaiologos (r. 1425–48)	1st wife of John VIII; daughter of Basil I (grand duke of Moscow and Vladimir 1389–1425)
Sophia of Montferrat	By marriage to John VIII Palaiologos (r. 1425–48)	2nd wife of John VIII
Maria Komnene of Trebizond	By marriage to John VIII Palaiologos (r. 1425–48)	3rd wife of John VIII
Theodora	By marriage to Constantine IX Palaiologos (r. 1449–53)	1st wife of Constantine IX; previous name Maddelena, daughter of Leonardo II Tocco
Caterina	By marriage to Constantine IX Palaiologos (r. 1449–53)	2nd wife of Constantine IX; daughter of Dorino Gattilusio

1 The list is selective. Dates of elevation for Eastern empresses of the fourth through eighth century are taken mostly from James 2001, 168–69, appendix 1; dates for empresses and emperors of the middle through late Byzantine period are largely based on Garland 1999, 229–31, table 1. »

2 Herrin 2001, 24–25. »

3 Although not technically an empress, Anna Dalassene had substantial official powers as a regent. »

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