Irene of Athens

Irene of Athens was a Byzantine ruler who governed as regent from 780 to 797 and as empress in her own right from 797 to 802. Her reign restored the veneration of icons after decades of Byzantine iconoclasm.

Constantine VI: Constantine VI was Byzantine emperor from 780 to 797 and Irene’s son. His coming of age turned Irene’s regency into a prolonged struggle over who held imperial power.
Second Council of Nicaea: The Second Council of Nicaea was an ecumenical council held in 787 that defended the veneration of religious images. Irene and Patriarch Tarasios convened it, reversing the iconoclast settlement of 754.
Leo IV the Khazar: Leo IV was Byzantine emperor from 775 to 780 and Irene’s husband. His death left their young son Constantine VI emperor and Irene in control as regent.
Pulcheria: Pulcheria was a fifth-century Byzantine empress who exercised political authority during her brother Theodosius II’s reign. Like Irene, she used a regency and imperial status to govern in a male-dominated court.
Byzantine regency: A Byzantine regency was rule exercised on behalf of an emperor deemed too young or unable to govern. Irene first governed in this capacity after Constantine VI inherited the throne as a child.
Byzantine iconoclasm: Byzantine iconoclasm was a series of imperial campaigns opposing the religious veneration of images. Irene’s council restored icon veneration during the first major period of Byzantine iconoclasm.
Constantine V: Constantine V was Byzantine emperor from 741 to 775 and father of Leo IV. The dynasty he led arranged Irene’s marriage to his son and heir.
Theodora (wife of Justinian I): Theodora was empress consort of Justinian I and a powerful political figure in sixth-century Byzantium. Unlike Irene, she wielded influence beside a reigning emperor rather than ruling as sole sovereign.
Byzantine succession: Byzantine succession was the process by which emperors inherited, seized, or secured the throne. Irene’s deposition and blinding of Constantine VI raised questions about succession and female sovereignty.
Icon veneration: Icon veneration is the religious honoring of sacred images without treating them as divine beings. The council under Irene affirmed this distinction as the basis for honoring icons.

Linked from 5 pages