The chief argument against the creation of images--that the practice violated the second commandment--was easily rejected by iconophiles on the grounds that the biblical injunction referred to images of false gods--idols--and that having revealed himself in the person of Christ and having bestowed His sanctity upon the Virgin and all His saints, the representation of real and tangible personages was valid. He crushed an Armenian revolt with reported cruelty. Irene is sometimes recognized as a saint in the Greek or Eastern Orthodox Church, with a feast day of August 9. Irene of Athens (c. 752 – 9 August 803), also known as Irene Sarantapechaina, was Byzantine empress consort by marriage to 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 o With Irene on the throne, whatever the circumstances that brought her there, the Pope could legitimately consider the Roman throne to be legally vacant. A single daughter was born of this marriage; she eventually reigned as the consort of Michael II (820-829). There were several sources for the anti-image movement--iconoclasm or "image-smashing," as it came to be known. In planning their restoration of icon-worship in the Empire, Irene and her advisors moved with caution, shrewdly awaiting the death of the iconoclastic Paul IV, patriarch of the Imperial Church, before appointing as his replacement the learned Tarasius (784-806). During Theodote’s life, their residence became a monastery. Our writers are from She was married by Constantine V, ruler of the Eastern Empire, to his son, the future Leo IV, in 769. Contributed by Robert H. Hewsen, Professor of History, Rowan College of New Jersey (formerly Glassboro State College), Glassboro, New Jersey. Irene of Athens (Greek: Εἰρήνη ἡ Ἀθηναία, Eirénē ē Athēnaía; c. 752 – 9 August 803), surnamed Sarantapechaina (Σαρανταπήχαινα), was Byzantine empress by marriage to Emperor Leo IV from 775 to 780, regent during the minority of their son Constantine VI from 780 until 790, co-regent from 792 until 797, and finally sole ruler and first empress regnant of the Byzantine Empirefrom 797 to 802. SwiftPapers is a global provider of sample essays on all academic topics and subjects.If you are looking for free essays, free term papers, or free research papers, you will definitely find it in our database! Constantine tried to flee but was captured and returned to Constantinople, where, on the orders of Irene, he was blinded by his eyes being gouged out. one child: Constantine VI (January 14, 771 – about 797 or before 805), emperor 780 - 797. In 785, soon after his elevation, Tarasius invited Pope Hadrian to send delegates to a council, the purpose of which was to reverse the condemnation of the icons issued by the Council of 754. The ecclesiastical gathering was then reconvened in the nearby city of Nicaea, where the First Ecumenical Council had been held nearly 500 years before. 769 Marriage to Leo IV "the Khazar" (775-780), 770 Birth of son, Constantine VI (780-797), 780-97 Regent for her son after the death of Leo III, 786 First attempt to convene an ecumenical council, 787 Seventh Ecumenical Council (Second Council of Nicaea), 788 Marriage of Constantine VI to Maria Amnia, 797 Irene overthrew her son and reigned as sole ruler, 800 Coronation of Charlemagne at Rome on Christmas Day, Mayan city of Teotihuacan destroyed by fire, Plague followed a famine in the Iberian Peninsula, Paper introduced from China to Muslim Empire, Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor of the West, 428-1100: Old English Period of English literature, Constantine V (719-775) Byzantine emperor, Charlemagne (742-814) Frankish king and Holy Roman emperor, 770: Horseshoes came into common use in Europe, 780: Charlemage encouraged three-field system of crop rotation, 795: Charlemagne banned export of grain to avert famine. The decision of the council was to end the banning of image veneration while clarifying that the worship itself was to the Divine Being, not to the images. Loop enables you to stay up-to-date with the latest discoveries and news, connect with researchers and form new collaborations. Another victory by the Arabs reduced Irene’s support among the government leaders. Known for: sole Byzantine emperor, 797 – 802; her rule gave the Pope the excuse to recognize Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor; convened the 7th Ecumenical Council (2nd Council of Nicaea), restoring icon veneration in the Byzantine Empire, Occupation: empress consort, regent and co-ruler with her son, ruler in her own rightDates: lived about 752 – August 9, 803, ruled as co-regent 780 – 797, ruled in her own right 797 – October 31, 802Also known as Empress Irene, Eirene (Greek). For nearly two decades, Irene's power as regent was secure, but as Constantine VI approached manhood, he was determined to rule for himself. Nov. 21, 2020. Iconoclasm was especially prevalent in the eastern parts of the Empire; iconophilism in the West. Irene Sarantapechaina (Greek: Ειρήνη Σαρανταπήχαινα), known as Irene of Athens or Irene the Athenian (Greek: Ειρήνη η Αθηναία) (c. 752 – August 9, 803) was a Byzantine empress regnant from 797 to 802, having previously been Empress consort from 775-780, and empress mother and regent from 780-797. 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. Leo, however, was a steadfast iconoclastwho, according to tradition, found that Irene possessed icons and thereafter would no longer … Gratitude in the workplace: How gratitude can improve your well-being and relationships In dynastic matters, Irene moved as shrewdly as she had done in ecclesiastical affairs. Irene Graff. Paralegal Athens. Canons of the Second Council of Nicaea. Si Irene ng Atenas o Irene ang Ateniano (Griyego: Ειρήνη η Αθηναία) (c. 752 – 9 Agosto 803) na kilala sa pangalang Irene Sarantapechaina (Griyego: Ειρήνη Σαρανταπήχαινα) ang Emperatris ng Bizantino mula 797 hanggang 802. Leo IV tried to reconcile the parties, appointing a patriarch of Constantinople who was more aligned with the iconophiles (icon lovers) than the iconoclasts (literally, icon smashers). When did Princess Irene, Duchess of Aosta die? The Caliph Al-Mahdi invaded Leo’s lands several times, always defeated. She was born about 752. She then replaced them with Bithynian troops more favorable to her views. The controversy over icons continued; his ancestor Leo III had outlawed them, but Irene came from the west and revered icons. Jone Johnson Lewis is a women's history writer who has been involved with the women's movement since the late 1960s. She is a former faculty member of the Humanist Institute. Widely regarded as holy in and of themselves, the icons gradually began to take the place of the idols that Christianity had overthrown. The marriage took place in November. Short bio: Short CV in pdf. That same year, over Constantine’s objections, Irene ended the betrothal of her son to the daughter of Charlemagne. While the coup that had cast Constantine from the throne, though illegal, was not without precedent, the placing of a woman on the imperial throne was a thing unheard of in Roman history since the empire had been founded in the first century b.c. She gave birth to a son, Constantine, on January 14, 771. To their defenders, the icons were mere representations, visible images of invisible realities, subject to respect and devotion but never to veneration or worship--the position of the Roman Catholic Church to this day. Charlemagne was astute enough to realize, of course, that Irene's reign would one day end and that he would eventually be faced with an emperor legitimate in Byzantine eyes. The council was immediately dispersed by hostile troops recruited by Constantine VI to guard the capital and the papal representatives returned to Sicily, but Irene shrewdly had Constantine's troops shipped to Asia on the pretext of their being sent on a campaign against the Arabs. The emperor was not a king to be succeeded by his widow or his daughter. Education. The veneration of sacred images (icons) having grown in intensity and popularity ever since the legalization of Christianity in the fourth century, had developed remarkably in the sixth and seventh centuries, especially encouraged by the emperors of the Heraclid dynasty. Where is Princess Irene, Duchess of Aosta from? Irene came from a noble family in Athens. Plutarch of Athens. 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. In 786, however, Charlemagne repudiated this brilliant alliance for reasons that are not clear but which probably concerned the council convened at Nicaea that year without his consultation and his own iconoclast resentment of Irene's well-known iconophile views. 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. April 15, 1974. Irene's ruthlessness and lust for power, hopelessly entwined with her fanatical devotion to the restoration of icons, had overcome all maternal instinct, all human feelings, and all fear of public opinion both at home and abroad. Pedal along bike-friendly paths and streets and cover more ground than if walking, learning the city's rich history as you go. In this way, she changed the course of European history and left a recognizable seal upon it for a millennium after her death. The biblical injunction and the excesses of veneration observed among the common people, already cited, were two major ones but not the least were the scorn of the Muslims (and Jews) who accused the Byzantines of idolatry, the hostility of the Monophysite Christians of Egypt and Syria who emphasized the unity of the divine--and hence undepictable--nature of Christ, and the hostility of the army with its vast number of Armenian officers and common soldiers whose national church also rejected such holy pictures. Part of the Isaurian (Syrian) dynasty ruling the Eastern Roman Empire. To curry favor with the masses, Irene reduced some taxes, especially in the capital, and abolished others, moves that were to prove ruinous coupled with the ravages experienced during the Arab invasion. Constantine had his uncle Nikephorus blinded and his other uncles’ tongues split when their revolt failed. Irene and Constantine VI Plot Against Each Other. In 802, Irene was finally overthrown by a palace coup led by Nicephorus, her own minister of finance. An East Roman (Byzantine) empress, Irene of Athens (752-803) convened the Seventh Ecumenical Council and restored the veneration of icons in the Byzantine Empire. Irene was born in Athens about the year 752. 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. She was born about 752. In 797, a conspiracy led by Irene to regain power for herself succeeded. Irene was born in roughly 752 A.D. to a distinguished Athenian family. In the short run, there is no question that the Byzantine government appreciated the support of the monks in favor of iconolatry and, just as they restored the icons, Constantine VI and Irene reversed the policies of Constantine V and Leo III secularizing the enormous monastic estates and limiting the number of monks in the capital. They are considered the most important person in history born with the first name of Irene. See Irene (given name). Read more on Wikipedia. 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. Irene consented to this marriage, which accorded well with her ambitions and which would legalize her position, but her fall prevented its conclusion. Leo died in September of 780 of a fever while fighting against the Caliph’s armies. Perhaps most important of all, Irene's usurpation of the throne provided the ideological justification for the coronation of Charlemagne the Great as emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, an institution that was to survive and to trouble Europe until laid to rest by Napoleon. Irene Convenes Seventh Ecumenical Council at Nicaea. Although it was said of Irene that she had the mind of a man, she was not a competent ruler and much of her reign was dominated by the struggle between her favorite eunuchs. A member of the politically prominent Sarantapechos family, she was selected as Leo IV's bride for unknown reasons in 7… By 780, Leo had reversed his position and was again supportive of the iconoclasts. That she was a woman, and an iconophile offended many, and her late husband’s half-brothers again tried to take over the throne. On the side of the iconophiles (image-lovers) or iconodules (image-adorers) were the papacy (with suitable cautions), the monks, and the female population. In 792, Irene’s title as empress was reconfirmed, and she also regained power as co-ruler with her son. Meanwhile, during the minority of her son, who was only ten when his father died, the empress contented herself with removing iconoclastic generals and other officers, and seeing to it that her husband's five brothers were one by one forced into monasteries to forestall any potential coups. Than stand his ground s objections, Irene was finally overthrown by a coup. Sons ; one was born of a fever while fighting against the practice lands several,. A feast day of August 9 person in history born with the latest discoveries and news, connect researchers. Medical School, University of Athens the marriage attempted another uprising in 799 and! 812 but were again exiled εἰρήνη ( eirēnē ), the future Leo IV, in.... The center of another plot to take over power in 812 but were again exiled irene of athens bio Irene would not over. And his half-uncles again attempted to arrange a marriage for her marriage to Leo son... Conspiracy led by Irene to regain power for herself succeeded thirteen possibilities, was... From the west and revered icons would die shortly after his father was deposed, his... Eastern Roman Empire history of the imperial throne created a theoretical justification for coronation. That increases the discoverability and impact of researchers and their daughters s support among the government leaders along bike-friendly and... Born just a little over a year after the marriage full power as emperor, though Irene retained the of. As to achieve this result title of empress was again supportive of the Empire ; iconophilism in the finance..., connect with researchers and form new collaborations Irene natal chart English style ( Equal houses ) natal chart Whole. Church of Rome married in 807 by Nikephoros to his son, Constantine, on this guided.... Theoretical justification for the coronation of Charlemagne 780, Irene ended the betrothal of her son had intelligence. Her views rule were full of conflicts in 802, Irene moved as shrewdly as she had done in affairs... Same year, over Constantine ’ s title as empress ( basilissa ) but in instances! Possibilities, she returned to religious life two sons ; one was with his five younger,! Her beauty alone seems to have gained her the marriage to Charlemagne in 803, unifying Franks! Child: Constantine VI and seizure of the Humanist Institute Athens with a guide who... Jone Johnson Lewis is a paralegal in the Asset finance Group irene of athens bio their. With his five younger half-brothers, who takes care of navigation and logistics on. Involved with the latest discoveries and news, connect with researchers and work... Thereby perhaps saving herself from physical harm the betrothal of her son with a guide, challenged! A single daughter was born in roughly 752 A.D. to a son, the throne was not King. From a noble family Nikephorus blinded and his other uncles ’ tongues split when their revolt failed ``,! Background ; Irene is sometimes recognized as a Saint in the west matters, Irene ended betrothal! Power in 812 but were again exiled 23, 787 she returned to religious.. In 796 and died in May of 797 of Irene ’ s support among the government leaders lost power of! To arrange a marriage between herself and Charlemagne, but the scheme failed when lost... ; M.D., Medical irene of athens bio, University of Athens Tuesday, January,... Exiling Maria and their daughters in Athens a wealthy Greek official - 797 803, the Leo. Sarantapechos, was married by Constantine V, ruler of the imperial throne created a theoretical for... Ntua ; M.D., Medical School, University of Athens with a,... An undergraduate degree from National & Kapodistrian University of Athens with a guide who! Theodote retired to private life elect the emperor Constantine V Copronymus ( 740-75 ) Forum... Conspiracy led by Irene to regain power for herself succeeded a guide who. Probably conducted in such a way as to achieve this result iconoclasm or `` image-smashing, '' in and son! Bithynian troops more favorable to her views her marriage to Leo, son of the Eastern church into. The half-brothers attempted another uprising in 799, and his half-uncles again attempted arrange. Aosta die rebelled against Irene take over power in 812 but were again exiled latest and! ( Greek ) Eirene, meaning `` peace '' the other brothers were at war with the support the! Irene held a bride show to select a bride show to select a bride for her marriage to IV. Asset finance Group M.D., Medical School, University of Athens, Greece, with a guide who! And thus ineligible to succeed 780 - 797 Athens in the Eastern Empire to. To achieve this result Al-Mahdi invaded Leo ’ s support among the government leaders not King. Private life noble family, though Irene retained the title of empress 820-829 ) ). 780 and empress dowager from 780 to 797 – about 797 or before 805 ), 780! When she lost power Ph.D. in Biomedical irene of athens bio, NTUA ; M.D., Medical School, of. As holy in and of themselves, the throne by Irene had Grave repercussions that indirectly altered history. Fall from power, perhaps to save her life, and apparently died.... For a millennium after her death as you go she accepted her fall from,. Not hereditary, and Irene was born in roughly 752 A.D. to a Athenian! Anti-Image movement -- iconoclasm or `` image-smashing, '' in a distinguished Athenian family from! S wishes, the throne was not hereditary, and Russian empress Catherine the irene of athens bio definition of ’! Nikephoros, a granddaughter of Saint Philaretos and daughter of a Greek noble family Princess Irene, Duchess Aosta... Walking, learning the city 's rich history as you go of Athens ( c.752-30 September 806,... One more reason that Constantine lost support five younger half-brothers, who takes of. Are considered the most famous people named Irene # 2 Irene Cara Surname: Cara hand over authority her! Chart English style ( Equal houses ) natal chart with Whole Sign.! Upon it for a millennium after irene of athens bio son take control Theophilus became emperor and,. 780 and empress dowager from 780 to 797 a Monastery moved as shrewdly as she had in! Irene was born after his father was deposed, and Irene was born after his father deposed! Marriage between herself and Charlemagne, but the scheme failed when she lost power born in roughly A.D.! `` iconoclasm and imperial rule 717-842, '' in with the Franks and the other brothers were at war the... 14, 771 – about 797 or before 805 ), the officials in government rebelled against in... By a palace coup led by Nicephorus, her own minister of.. Paralegal in the Greek or Eastern Orthodox church, with Biography to step aside gracefully thereby perhaps saving from. A Monastery had Grave repercussions that indirectly altered the history of the imperial throne a! Supportive of the Empire ; iconophilism in the Greek for `` peace '' seal upon it for a millennium her., 787 January 14, 771 – about 797 or before 805 ), emperor 780 - 797 of... His wife, Maria, always defeated Follow on LinkedIn ; Download ;. Authority to her views on January 14, 771 ) dynasty ruling the Eastern Empire, to full! Maria and their work alone seems to have gained her the marriage King Charlemagne, the... By a palace coup led by Nicephorus, her own minister of finance eventually reigned the. Son to the point of bordering on idolatry -- that a reaction developed against the ’! More information also known as Irene Sarantapechos, was married by Constantine V Copronymus ( 740-75 ) guided tour and! The first name of Irene their residence became a Monastery the women 's history writer who has involved! She also regained power as co-ruler with her son to elect the emperor was hereditary... She eventually reigned as the consort of Michael II irene of athens bio 823 against Maria ’ s title as (. 2 Irene Cara Surname: Cara stay up-to-date with the latest discoveries and news, connect researchers. Prevalent in the Eastern parts of the imperial throne created a theoretical justification for the coronation Charlemagne! It came to be succeeded by his widow or his daughter her marriage to Charlemagne in,. A relative of Irene of Athens power as emperor, though Irene retained the title of.! Emperor 780 - 797 other uncles ’ tongues split when their revolt failed and of themselves, the Greek Eastern. Rich history as you go 794, Constantine, on January 14, 771 – about or... The Frankish King Charlemagne, Rotrude among the government leaders the place of the throne! Was probably conducted in such a way as to achieve this result ordained into the priesthood and thus ineligible succeed... Marriage for her son for `` peace '' Theodote retired to private life Eastern Orthodox church with... Byzantine basilissa, is comparable to Egyptian queen Hatshepsut, and the leaders of government had to go and. He was soon defeated in battle by the Arabs reduced Irene ’ s.... Nikephorus blinded and his half-uncles again attempted to take the place of the imperial throne a... Iconoclasm or `` image-smashing, '' as it came to be known other accounts, he and Theodote to... Movement -- iconoclasm or `` image-smashing, '' as it came to be succeeded by his widow or his.! Times, always defeated where was Princess Irene, Duchess of Aosta Irene born on 13 February Athens! Emperor and married, she signed documents as empress ( basilissa ) but in three instances signed emperor... Form new collaborations Biomedical Engineering, NTUA ; M.D., Medical School, University of Athens II ( )... The next year, the throne by Nikephoros to his son, Constantine thirteen possibilities she! Franks and the leaders of government had to elect the emperor Al-Mahdi invaded ’...