Irene the Athenian: The First Female Emperor

The empress Irene seized power from her son and after blinding him took power for herself. The following explores her reign and deposition by her finance minister Nikephoros, later crowned emperor Nikephoros I.

Predecessor: Constantine VI
   • Constantine VI: The Blind and Foolish...  

Successor: Nikephoros I
   • Nikephoros I: The Vexatious Emperor  

Bibliography:
Primary Sources
Theophanes the Confessor, Chronographia, Translation by Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, (1997).
Theodore the Studite, Letters, edition by A. Fatouros, Vols. II, (CFHB 31/1-2, Vienna, 1992).

Scholarship
Brubaker, L. and Haldon J. (2011) Byzantium in the Iconoclast Era 680-850, A History, Cambridge.
Fine, J. V. A. Jr. (1983) The Early Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Sixth to the Late Twelfth Century, (Michigan).
Herrin, J. (1987) The Formation of Christendom, London.
Treadgold, W. (1988) The Byzantine Revival 780-842, Stanford.

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Music Credits:
'One Planet at a Time', 'Bellum Infinitus', 'The Art of War', 'Seraphim Unleashed' and the Final Act Begins' by Jeremy Soule from Supreme Commander by Gas Powered Games.

All images used are for educational purposes, if I have used a piece of art and you would like me to credit you, please contact me and I shall do so.