List of Roman and Byzantine empresses
- See also: List of Roman emperors and List of Byzantine emperors.
Empress of Rome Coat of Arms of the Roman Empire | ||
| ||
First empress | Livia (27 BC) | |
Last empress | Placidia (472) or Niece of Leo I (480) (WEST) Maria (1439) (EAST) |
This is a list of women who were the Roman Empress, i.e. the wife of the Roman Emperor, the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC). The Romans had no single term for the office: Latin and Greek titles such as Augusta (derived from the first emperor Augustus); Caesarissa (later Kaisarissa), derived from Julius Caesar); basilissa (Greek βασίλισσα), the female form of basileus; and Autokratorissa, the female form of autocrat; were used. In the third century, Augustae could also receive the titles of Mater castrorum (mother of the army camps) and Mater patriae (mother of the fatherland). Other title of the Byzantine Empresses were "Eusebestatē Avgousta" (Most Pious Augusta), and were also called Kyria (Lady) or Despoina (δέσποινα), the female form of "despotes". Due to the practice of dividing the Roman empire under different Emperors, and the later practice of appointing junior and co-emperors, there were periods when there were more than one Roman empress. All the Roman empresses are list with some co-empresses, and more lessly junior co-empresses. Not all empress were titled Augusta. Some Caesarissas and Despoinas that were never empress are included since the titles were quite similar to Empress, but were more closely related to the title of Crown Princess by the time of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Although the Western Roman Empire produced no female rulers except probably the obscure Ulpia Severina (who ruled briefly after the death of her husband Aurelian) the Eastern Roman Empire had three official empresses regnants: Irene of Athens, Zoe and Theodora. There never was a male Emperor consort (i.e. a husband of an empress-regnant), but some husband and wife couples were simultaneous co-regnants.
Variation of the title includes:
- Empress of Rome
- Empress of the Roman Empire
- Roman Empress
- Empress of the Western Roman Empire
- Western Roman Empress
- Empress of the Eastern Roman Empire
- Eastern Roman Empress
- Empress of the Romans
- Empress of Romania
Western Christian and Modern variations:
- Empress of the Byzantine Empire
- Byzantine Empress
- Empress of Byzantium
- Empress of Constantinople
- Empress of the Greeks
Empress consorts of the Roman Empire
Julio-Claudian dynasty (27 BC–68 AD)
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Livia Drusilla (LIVIA•DRVSILLA) |
Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus (Claudian) | 30 January, 58 BC | 17 January. 38 BC | 16 January 27 BC | 19 August, AD 14 | AD 29 | Augustus | |
Livia Orestilla | ? | ? | AD 37 or AD 38 | few days after marriage | ? | Caligula | ||
Lollia Paulina | Marcus Lollius Paulinus the Younger | ? | AD 38 | 6 months later | AD 49 | |||
Milonia Caesonia | ? | AD 6 | late AD 39 or early AD 40 | 24 January, AD 41 | Hours after husband's death | |||
Valeria Messalina | Marcus Valerius Messalla Barbatus | c. 17/20 | 37 or 38 | 24 January 41 AD | AD 48 | Claudius | ||
File:Agrippine Jeune.gif | Julia Agrippina Minor (IVLIA•AGRIPPINA) (η Ιουλία Αγριππίνη) |
Germanicus (Claudian) |
6 November AD 15 | New Year’s Day in AD 49 | 13 October AD 54 | March AD 59 | ||
File:Claudia octavia12.jpg | Claudia Octavia (CLAVDIA•OCTAVIA) |
Claudius (Claudian) |
Late AD 39 or early AD 40 | 9 June AD 53 | 13 October 54 | AD 62 | 9 June AD 62 | Nero |
Poppaea Sabina | Titus Ollius | AD 30 | AD 62 | AD 65 | ||||
Statilia Messalina | ? | ca. AD 35 | AD 66 | 9 June AD 68 | after 68 | |||
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Year of the Four Emperors & Flavian dynasty (68–96)
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Galeria Fundana | Galerius (b. ca 15), a Praetor | c. 40 | c. 50 | March 169 | aft. 69 | Vitellius | ||
Domitia Longina | Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo | c. 53 | c. 70 | 14 September 81 | 18 September 96 | c. 130 | Domitian | |
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Nervan-Antonian dynasty (96–192)
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pompeia Plotina | ? | ? | ? | 28 January 98 | 7 August 117 | 121/122 | Trajan | |
Vibia Sabina | Lucius Vibius Sabinus | c. 80 | 100 | 10 August 117 | 136 or 137 | Hadrian | ||
Annia Galeria Faustina Major | Marcus Annius Verus | September 21 about 100 | 110-115 | 11 July 138 | 141 | Antoninus Pius | ||
Annia Galeria Faustina Minor | Antoninus Pius (Antonian) |
16 February between 125 and 130 | 13 May 145 | 8 March 161 as co-empress consort March 169 as sole-empress consort |
175 | Marcus Aurelius | ||
Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla | Marcus Aurelius (Antonian) |
7 March 148 or 150 | 164 as co-empress consort | March 169 | 182 | Lucius Verus | ||
File:042 Crispina.jpg | Bruttia Crispina | Gaius Bruttius Praesens | 164 | July of 178 | July of 178 as co-empress consort 18 March 180 as sole empress |
182 | 182 or 187 | Commodus |
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Year of the Five Emperors & Severan dynasty (96–235)
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flavia Titiana | Titus Flavius Sulpicianus | ? | ? | 1 January 193 AD | 28 March 193 | after 193 | Pertinax | |
Manlia Scantilla | (Manlius family) | ? | before 153 | 28 March 193 | 1 June 193 | ? | Didius Julianus | |
Julia Domna | Arab family | 170 | late 180s | 14 April 193 as co-empress consort February 197 as sole empress April 202 as senior empress-consort |
4 February 211 | 217 | Septimius Severus | |
Publia Fulvia Plautilla | Gaius Fulvius Plautianus (Fulvius) |
185/around 188/189 | 13 May 145 | April 202 as co/junior-empress consort | 22 January 205 | early 212 | Caracalla | |
Nonia Celsa | ? | ? | ? | 8 April 217 | June 218 | ? | Macrinus | |
Julia Cornelia Paula | Julius Cornelius Paulus (Cornelius) |
? | 219 | early 220 | ? | Elagabalus | ||
Julia Aquilia Severa | Quintus Aquilius | ? | 220 | 221 | ? | |||
Annia Aurelia Faustina | Tiberius Claudius Severus Proculus | ? | July 221 | later in 221 | ? | |||
Julia Aquilia Severa | Quintus Aquilius | ? | 221 | 222 | ? | |||
Seia Herennia Sallustia Barbia Orbiana Augusta | Seius Sallustius | ? | 225/226 | 227 | ? | Alexander Severus | ||
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Crisis of the Third Century (235–284)
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caecilia Paulina | ? | ? | ? | 20 March 235 | 235/236 | Maximinus Thrax | ||
File:073 Tranquillina.jpg | Furia Sabinia Tranquillina | Timesitheus | c. 225 | May 241 | 11 February 244 | aft. 244 | Gordian III | |
File:075 Otacilia.jpg | Marcia Otacilia Severa | Otacilius Severus or Severianus (Otacilius) |
? | 234 | February 244 | September/ October 249 | ? | Julius Philippus |
File:080 Herennia Etruscilla.jpg | Annia Cupressenia Herennia Etruscilla | Unknown Etrurian senatorial family | September 249 | before 230 | September/October 249 | June 251 | June 251 after husband |
Decius |
Afinia Gemina Baebiana | ? | ? | ? | June 251[1] | August 253 | ? | Trebonianus Gallus | |
Gaia Cornelia Supera | ? | ? | ? | August 253 | October 253 | ? | Aemilianus | |
Julia Cornelia Salonina | ? | ? | ?243 | October 253 | September 268 | Gallienus | ||
File:107 Severina.jpg | Ulpia Severina | Ulpius Crinitus (Ulpius) |
? | ? | September 270 | September or October 275 | ? | Aurelian |
File:116 Magnia Urbica 23 mm ext.jpg | Magnia Urbica | ? | ? | ? | 282 as Caesarissa in the West Late July/early August 283 as sole-empress consort 20 November 284 in conflict with Empress Prisca |
285 | ? | Carinus |
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Tetrarchy and Constantinian dynasty (284-364)
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prisca | ? | ? | ? | 20 November 284 in conflict with Magnia Urbica 285 as sole-empress consort 1 April 286 as co-empress consort in the East |
1 May 305 | 315 | Diocletian | |
Eutropia | Syrian | ? | around 283 | 21 July/25 July 285 as Caesarissa 1 April 286 as co-empress consort in the West Late 306 husband declared himself Augustus |
1 May 305 July 310 |
after 325 | Maximian | |
Flavia Julia Helena | ? | c. 250 | It is not known if Constantius divorced in 283, after becoming Caesar or if he divorced her after taking the title in 283[2] | c. 330 | Constantius I | |||
File:140 Theodora.jpg | Flavia Maximiana Theodora | Flavius Afranius Hannibalianus | ? | 293 | 293 as Caesarissa 1 May 305 as empress consort in the West |
25 July 306 | ? | |
File:123 Galeria Valeria.jpg | Galeria Valeria | Diocletian | ? | 293 | 1 March/21 May 293 as Caesarissa 1 May 305 as empress consort in the East |
5 May 311 | 315 | Galerius |
Valeria Maximilla | Galerius | ? | around 293 | 28 October 306 empress consort in the West | 28 October 312 | ? | Maxentius | |
Minervina | ? | ? | ?[2] | 25 July 306 as Caesarissa | before 307 | ? | Constantine I | |
File:141 Fausta.jpg | Fausta Flavia Maxima | Maximianus | 289 | 307 | 307 as Caesarissa in the West 309 husband proclaimed to be emperor April 310 accepted in the East 29 October 312 undisputed empress-consort in the West, senior-empress-consort in the empire 19 September 324 empress-consort of united empire |
326 | ||
Flavia Julia Constantia | Constantine I (Constantinian) |
after 293 | 313 | 313 as empress-consort in the East | 324 | c. 330 | Licinius | |
Unnamed[3] | Julius Constantius (Constantinian) |
? | 335 or 336 | 335 or 336 as Caesarissa 22 May 337 as co-empress consort 350 as sole-empress consort in empire |
353/4 | ? | Constantius II | |
Flavia Aurelia Eusebia | Flavius Eusebius the Macedonian Consul, | ? | 353 as sole-empress consort in empire | 360 | ||||
Faustina | ? | ? | Winter of 360 as sole-empress consort in empire | 3 November 361 | after 366 | |||
Helena Constantia | Constantine I (Constantinian) |
November 355 as Caesarissa February 360 as empress consort[4] |
360? | Julian | ||||
Charito | Lucillianus | ? | ? | 27 June 363 | 17 February 364 | after 380 | Jovian | |
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Theodosian dynasty (379–395)
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aelia Flavia Flaccilla | ? | 375-376 | August 378 as Roman empress consort in the East | 385 | Theodosius I | |||
Flavia Galla | Valentinian I (Valentinian) |
370-375 | 387 as Roman empress consort in the East May 15 392 as sole-Roman empress consort |
17 November 375 | 394 | |||
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Empress consorts of the Western Roman Empire
Theodosian dynasty (395–455)
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maria | Stilicho | ? | February 398 as the Western Roman empress consort | 370 | 407 | Honorius | ||
Thermantia | ? | 408 as the Western Roman empress consort | c. 408 | 415 | ||||
Aelia Galla Placidia | Theodosius I (Theodosian) |
392 | 8 February 421 as the Western Roman empress consort | 2 September 421 | 27 November 450 | Constantius III | ||
Licinia Eudoxia | Theodosius II (Theodosian) |
422 | 29 October 437 as the Western Roman empress consort | 16 March 455 | 462 | Valentinian III | ||
17 March 455 2nd times as the Western Roman empress consort | 31 May 455 | Petronius Maximus | ||||||
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Non-dynastic (455–476)
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aelia Marcia Euphemia | Flavius Marcianus | ? | 453 | 12 April 467 | 11 July 472 | ? | Anthemius | |
Galla Placidia Valentiniana Minor | Valentinian III (Valentinian) |
439-443 | 454 or 455 | 23 March or 11 July 472 | 23 October or 2 November 472 | 415 | Olybrius | |
Unnamed Niece of Leo I | ? (Leonid) |
? | ? | June 474 (from Italy) 475 (from Dalmatia) |
28 August 475 (from Italy) 25 April 480 (from Dalmatia) |
? | Julius Nepos | |
Picture | Name English, Latin, Greek |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Empress consorts of the Eastern Roman Empire
Theodosian dynasty (395–457)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aelia Eudoxia | Flavius Bauto | ? | 27 April 395 | 6 October 404 | Arcadius | |||
Aelia Licinia Eudocia | Leontius | c. 401 | 7 June 421 | 28 July 450 | 20 October 460 | Theodosius II | ||
Aelia Pulcheria | Arcadius (Theodosian) |
19 January 399 | 28 July 450 | July 453 | Marcian | |||
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Leonid dynasty (457-518)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
File:Tremissis-Aelia Verina-s4344.jpg | Aelia Verina | ? | ? | ? | 7 February 457 | 18 January 474 | 484 | Leo I |
Aelia Ariadne | Leo I (Leonid) |
c. 450 | 466/468 | 9 February 474 1st time |
9 January 475 | 515 | Zeno | |
Aelia Zenonis | ? | ? | ? | 9 January 475 | August 476 | 476/477 | Basiliscus | |
Aelia Ariadne | Leo I (Leonid) |
c. 450 | 466/468 | August 476 2nd time |
9 April 491 | 515 | Zeno | |
20 May 491 3rd time |
515 | Anastasius | ||||||
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Justinian dynasty (518-602)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Euphemia | ? | ? | 491-518 | July 518 | c.524 | Justin I | ||
Theodora the Cypriot (Θεοδώρα) |
Acacius | c. 500 | ? | 1 August 527 | 28 June 548 | Justinian I | ||
Aelia Sophia | Sittas[5] | c. 530 | ? | 14 November 565 as sole empress consort 5 October 578 as co-empress consort |
5 October 578 | after 601 | Justin II | |
Aelia Anastasia | ? | ? | ? | 7 December 574 as Caesarissa September 578 as co-empress consort 5 October 578 as sole empress consort |
14 August 582 | 593 | Tiberius II Constantine | |
Constantina | Tiberius II Constantine (Justinian)[6] |
c. 560 | Autumn 582 | 27 November 602 | c. 605 | Maurice | ||
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Non-dynastic (602-610)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leontia | ? | ? | ? | 23 November 602 | October 610 | ? | Phocas | |
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Heraclian dynasty (610-711)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fabia Eudokia | Rogas of Africa | c. 580 | 5 October 610 | 13 August 612 | Heraclius | |||
Martina | Martinus | ? | 613 as sole-empress consort 629/630 as senior empress-consort |
11 February 641 | after 641 | |||
Gregoria | Niketas | 610s | 629/630 | 629/630 as junior empress-consort 11 February 641 as senior empress-consort |
May 641 | ? | Constantine III | |
Fausta | Valentinus (Arsacid) |
c. 630 | 642 | 15 September 668 | after 668 | Constans II | ||
Anastasia | ? | ? | ? | 668 | September 685 | after 711 | Constantine IV | |
Eudokia | ? | ? | ? | c. 685? | c. 695? | ? | Justinian II | |
Theodora of Khazaria | ? | ? | 703 | 705 | December 711 | ? | ||
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Non-dynastic (711-717)
- None
Isaurian dynasty (717-802)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maria | Tervel of Bulgaria[7] (Dulo) |
? | ? | 25 March 717 | 18 June 741 | ? | Leo III | |
Anna | Leo III (Isaurian) |
c. 705 | ? | June 741 as rival empress consort | November 743 | after 743 | Artabasdos | |
Irene of Khazaria | Bihar | ? | c. 732 | c. 732 as co-empress consort 18 June 741 as rival empress consort 2 November 743 as sole empress consort |
c. 750 | Constantine V | ||
Maria | ? | ? | c. 750 | c. 751 | ||||
Eudokia | ? | ? | c. 751 [8] | 14 September 775 | ? | |||
Irene Serantapechaina (Ειρήνη η Αθηναία, Eirēnē) |
? (Sarantapechos) |
c. 752 | 17 December 769 | 17 December 769 as co-empress consort 25 March 775 as sole empress consort |
18 June 780 | 9 August 803 | Leo IV | |
File:Maria of Amnia.jpg | Maria of Amnia | ? | c. 770 | November 788 | January 795 | after 823 | Constantine VI | |
Theodote | ? | c. 780 | September 795 | c. 797 | after 797 | |||
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Phocid dynasty (802-813)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Theophano (Θεοφανώ) |
? | c. 580 | 20 December 807 | 807 as co-empress consort 26 July 811 |
2 October 811 | ? | Staurakios | |
Prokopia | Nikephoros I Logothetes (Phocid) |
c. 770 - after 813 | late 8th century | 2 October 811 | 11 July 813 | after 813 | Michael I | |
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Non-dynastic (813-820)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Theodosia | Arsaber | c. 775 | ? | 11 July 813 | 25 December 820 | after 826 | Leo V | |
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Phrygian dynasty (820-867)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thekla | Bardanes Tourkos | ? | before 803 | 25 December 820 | c. 823 | Michael II | ||
Euphrosyne | Constantine VI (Isaurian) |
c. 790 | c. 823 | 2 October 829 | after 836 | |||
Theodora the Armenian (Θεοδώρα) |
Marinos (Mamikonian) |
c. 815 | 5 June 830 | 20 January 842 | after 867 | Theophilos | ||
Eudokia Dekapolitissa | ? | ? | 855 | 23 September 867 – 24 September 867 | ? | Michael III | ||
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Macedonian dynasty (867-1056)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eudokia Ingerina[9] (Ευδοκία Ιγγερίνα) |
Inger | c. 840 | 865 | 26 May 866 as co-empress consort 24 September 867 as sole-empress consort |
882 | Basil I | ||
Theophano (Θεοφανώ) |
Constantine Martiniako | c. 705 | c. 883 | 29 August 886 | 893/897 | 10 November 897 | Leo VI | |
Zoe Zaoutzaina (Ζωή Καρβωνοψίνα) | Stylianos Zaoutzes | ? | 893/897[10] | May 899 | ||||
Eudokia Baïana | ? | ? | Spring 900[8] | 12 April 901 | ||||
Zoe Karbonopsina | ? | ? | 9 January 906[11] | 11 May 912 | ? | |||
Helena Lekapene | Romanos I | c. 910 | May 919 | May 919 as co-empress consort 27 January 945 as sole-empress consort |
9 November 959 | 19 September 961 | Constantine VII | |
Theodora (Θεοδώρα) |
? | ? | ? | September 920 as Caesarissa 17 December 920 as senior co-empress consort |
20 February 922 | Romanos I | ||
Theophano [12] (Θεοφανώ) |
Anastaso | c. 941 | 956 | 956 as co-empress consort 9 November 959 as sole-empress consort |
15 March 963 1st time |
after 976 | Romanos I | |
August 963 2nd time |
10 December 969 – 11 December 969 | Nikephoros II | ||||||
Theodora the Macedonian (Θεοδώρα) |
Constantine VII (Macedonian) |
c. 946 | November 971 | 10 January 976 | ? | John I | ||
Helena | Alypius | ? | 976? | 976? as only empress or junior empress consort 15 December 1025 as senior empress consort |
15 November 1028 | ? | Constantine VIII | |
Zoe the Macedonian (Ζωή) |
Constantine VIII (Macedonian) |
c. 978 | 12 November 1028 | 15 November 1028 1st time |
11 April 1034 | June 1050 | Romanos III | |
11 April 1034 2nd time |
10 December 1041 | Michael IV | ||||||
11 June 1042[8] 3rd time |
June 1050 | Constantine IX | ||||||
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Komnenid dynasty (1057-1059)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ekaterina of Bulgaria | Ivan Vladislav of Bulgaria (Comitopuli dynasty) |
? | ? | 5 June 1057 as rival emperess consort 31 August 1057 as sole emperess consort |
22 November 1059 | after 1059 | Isaac I | |
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Doukid dynasty (1059-1081)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eudokia Makrembolitissa (Ευδοκία Μακρεμβολίτισσα) |
John Makrembolites (Makrembolites) |
1021 | before 1050 | 24 November 1059 1st time |
22 May 1067 | 1096 | Constantine X | |
1 January 1068 2nd time |
1071 | Romanos IV | ||||||
Irene Pegonitissa | Niketas Pegonites | ? | ? | ?around 1059? as Caesarissa 1074 husband unwillingly proclaimed emperor by rebel Norman |
? | ? | Caesar John Doukas | |
Maria of Alania (Μαρία της Αλανίας) |
Bagrat IV of Georgia (Bagratids) |
c. 1050 | 1065 | 1065 as junior-empress consort 22 May 1067 as co-empress consort 1071 as sole-empress consort 1075 as senior empress consort |
31 March 1078 | after 1103 | Michael VII | |
c. 1078 | 10 December 1081 | Nikephoros III | ||||||
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Komnenid dynasty (1081-1185)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Irene Doukaina (Ειρήνη Δούκαινα) |
Andronikos Doukas (Doukas) |
c. 1066 | 1078 | 4 April 1081 | 15 August 1118 | 19 February 1123 or 1133 | Alexios I | |
Irene Doukaina (Άννα Κομνηνή) |
Alexios I (Komnenos) |
1 December 1083 | 1097 as Caesarissa | 1118/1137 | 1153 | Caesar Nikephoros Bryennios | ||
Irene of Hungary | Ladislaus I of Hungary (Árpád) |
1088 | 1104 | 1104 as co-empress consort 15 August 1118 as sole-empress consort |
13 August 1134 | John II | ||
Irene of Sulzbach | Berengar II, Count of Sulzbach (Babenberg) |
1110s | after Epiphany 1146 | 1159 | Manuel I | |||
Maria of Antioch | Raymond of Antioch (Ramnulfids) |
1145 | 24 December 1161 | 24 September 1180 | 1182 | |||
Anna of France | Louis VII of France (Capetian) |
1171 | 2 March 1180 | 24 September 1180 | October 1183 | after 1204 | Alexios II | |
1183 | 12 September 1185 | Andronikos I | ||||||
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Angelid dynasty (1185-1204)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maria of Hungary | Béla III of Hungary (Árpád) |
1175 | c. 1185 | 12 September 1185 1st time | 8 April 1195 | 1223 | Isaac II | |
Euphrosyne Doukaina Kamatera (Ευφροσύνη Δούκαινα Καματερίνα ή Καματηρά) |
Andronikos Doukas Kamateros (Doukas) |
c. 1155 | c. 1169 | 8 April 1195 | July 17/18 1203 | 1211 | Alexios III | |
Maria of Hungary | Béla III of Hungary (Árpád) |
1175 | c. 1185 | July 1203 2nd time | January 1204 | 1223 | Isaac II | |
Eudokia Angelina[13] (Ευδοκία Αγγελίνα) |
Alexios III (Angelos) |
1 December 1083 | ?1204? | 1211 | Alexios V | |||
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Empress consorts of the Eastern Roman Empire (in exile)
Empress consorts of the Eastern Roman Empire (restored)
Palaiologan dynasty (restored to Constantinople, 1261-1453)
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Theodora Doukaina Vatatzaina | Ioannes Doukas Vatatzes (Doukas) |
c. 1240 | 1253 | 1 January 1259 as co-empress consort of Nicaea 18 August 1258 as sole-empress consort of Nicaea 25 July 1261 as empress consort, restored to Constantinople 8 November 1273 as senior empress consort 1281 as only empress consort |
11 December 1282 | 4 March 1303 | Michael VIII | |
Anna of Hungary | Stephen V of Hungary (Árpád) |
c. 1260 | 8 November 1273 as co-empress consort | 1281 | Andronikos II | |||
Irene of Montferrat | William VII, Marquess of Montferrat (Aleramici) |
1274 | 1284 as sole empress consort 16 January 1294 as senior empress conosrt |
1317 | ||||
Maria of Armenia | Leo III of Armenia (Hetoumids) |
10 January/11 January 1278 | c. 1185 | 16 January 1294 as junior empress conosrt 1317 as only empress consort |
12 October 1320 | July 1333 | Michael IX | |
Irene of Brunswick | Henry I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Welf) |
c. 1293 | March 1318 | March 1318 as co-empress consort July 1321 as rival empress consort |
16 August 1324 – 17 August 1324 | Andronikos III | ||
Anna of Savoy | Amadeus V, Count of Savoy (Savoy) |
1306 | October 1326 | October 1326 as rival empress consort 24 May 1328 as sole empress conosort |
15 June 1341 | 1359 | ||
Irene Asanina | Andronikos Asen (Asen) |
? | ? | 26 October 1341 as rival empress consort 8 February 1347 as co-empress conosort |
4 December 1354 | ? | John VI | |
Helena Kantakouzene | John VI (Kantakouzenos) |
1333 | 28 May/29 May 1347 | 28 May/29 May 1347 as co-empress conosort 1352 as rival empress consort 4 December 1354 as senior empress conosort |
12 August 1376 | 10 December 1396 | John V | |
Irene Palaiologina | Despotes Demetrios Palaiologos (Palaiologos) |
? | 1340 | 15 April 1353 as co-empress conosort 4 December 1354 as rival empress consort |
December 1357 | ? | Matthew Kantakouzenos | |
Keratsa of Bulgaria | Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria (Shishman) |
1348 | after 17 August 1355 | after 17 August 1355 as co-empress conosort 12 August 1376 s senior empress conosort |
1 July 1379 | 1390 | Andronikos IV | |
Helena Kantakouzene | John VI (Kantakouzenos) |
1333 | 28 May/29 May 1347 | 1 July 1379 as senior empress conosort, husband restored 14 April 1390 as only empress 17 September 1390 as senior empress conosort, husband restored |
16 February 1391 | 10 December 1396 | John V | |
Helena Dragaš | Constantine Dragaš (Dragaš) |
c. 1372 | 10 February 1392 as senior empress conosort | 21 July 1425 | 23 May 1450 | Manuel II | ||
Irene Gattilusio | Francesco II of Lesbos (Gattilusio) |
1333 | before 1397 as co-empress conosort | 22 September 1408 | 1 June 1440 | John VII | ||
Anna of Moscow | Vasili I of Moscow (Rurikid) |
1393 | c. 1411 | 1416 as Despoina and shortly after co-empress consort | August 1417 | John VIII | ||
Sophia Palaiologina of Montferrat | Theodore II, Marquess of Montferrat (Palaiologos) |
? | 19 January 1421 | 19 January 1421as co-empress conosort 21 July 1425 as sole-empress conosort |
August 1426 | 21 August 1434 | ||
Maria Komnene | Alexios IV of Trebizond (Komnenos) |
? | September 1427[8] | 17 December 1439 | ||||
Picture | Name English, Greek, Latin |
Father | Birth | Marriage | Became Empress | Ceased to be Empress | Death | Spouse |
Notes
- ^ never titled
- ^ a b her status as a concumbine or wife is unknown
- ^ Mentioned in "Letter To The Senate And People of Athens" by Julian the Apostate
- ^ not known if she live to see this
- ^ historical theory
- ^ adoptive
- ^ historical theory
- ^ a b c d Third marriages are the last permitted according to the rules of Orthodox Church, but are highly disaproved by the Church.
- ^ formerly mistress of Michael III
- ^ There is a contradiction on Zoe Zaoutzaina's particular status 893-897. According to Symeon, the marriage of Leo VI to Theophano was officially void. Allowing Leo and Zoe to marry within the year. According to Theophanes, the original marriage was still valid and Zoe remained the royal mistress. Theophano died in her monastery on 10 November 897. Acconrdig to Theophanes, Leo and Zoe proceeded to marry at this point. Both Symeon and Theophanes agree that Zoe was only crowned Augusta following the death of her predecessor.
- ^ Fourth marriages are uncanonical in the eyes of the Orthodox Church.
- ^ Lover of future Emperor John I
- ^ Sometimes she is not considered the last Byzantine Empress consort before the Fourth Crusader because of the unknown date of her marriage.