The termRoman empress usually refers to the consorts of theRoman emperors, the rulers of theRoman Empire. The duties, power and influence of empresses varied depending on the time period, contemporary politics and the personalities of their husband and themselves. Empresses were typically highly regarded and respected, and many wielded great influence over imperial affairs. Several empresses served asregents on behalf of their husbands or sons and a handful ruled asempresses regnant, governing in their own right without a husband.
Given that there were sometimes more than one concurrent Roman emperor, there were also sometimes two or more concurrent Roman empresses. For most of the period from 286 to 480, the Roman Empire, though remaining a single polity, was administratively divided into theWestern Roman Empire and theEastern Roman Empire. Through most of this period, the separated imperial courts had their own lines of succession, and as a result their own sequences of concurrent Roman empresses. The western empire fell in the late 5th century, its final empress being the wife of Emperor Julius Nepos. The eastern empire, often referred to as the 'Byzantine Empire' by modern historians, endured for almost another millennium until its fall through thefall of Constantinople in 1453. The final empress of the east, and final Roman empress overall, wasMaria of Trebizond, wife of EmperorJohn VIII Palaiologos.
Though the constitutional power of empresses was never defined, it was generally accepted that their coronation, performed after that of their husbands, granted them some imperial power. Often, their primary duties were to oversee the organization of ceremonies at the imperial court as well as to partake in imperial and religious affairs. Although governmental power was most often vested only in the emperor, empresses could gain significant authority as regents for young children or when their husbands were absent. Though they were bound by the wishes and temperaments of their husbands, empress consorts could at times also effectively become influential co-regents. In some cases, emperors reinforced their legitimacy through marrying the daughter of a previous emperor. In such cases, empresses sometimes stressed their dynastic legitimacy, greater than that of their husbands, to achieve great influence. Several influential consorts, such asTheodora, wife ofJustinian I, andEuphrosyne, wife ofAlexios III, held their own courts.[1] Theodora and Euphrosyne, during their husbands' reigns, established a parallel court alongside the imperial court—a separate palace with their own staff, royal attendants, and imperial guard, with their own imperial seal. State affairs were reported to them, and decrees issued by them carried the same weight as those of the emperor. Additionally, empresses,Irene of Montferrat, wife of emperorAndronikos II Palaiologos, andAnna of Savoy, wife of emperorAndronikos III Palaiologos and mother of emperorJohn V Palaiologos, left Constantinople for Thessalonica and established their own courts, ruling independently in that province. Irene did so following a disagreement with her husband over succession, while Anna, after losing in the Second Civil War (1341–1347), establishing her own court in Thessalonica and acting independently.
There was no single official term for the position of "empress" inAncient Rome.
| Portrait[a] | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Livia Drusilla | 16 January 27 BC – 19 August AD 14 (40 years, 7 months and 3 days) | 30 January 59 BC – AD 29 (aged 87) Daughter ofMarcus Livius Drusus Claudianus; marriedTiberius Claudius Nero in 43 BC and thenOctavian on 17 January 38 BC. Known asJulia Augusta after his death;deified byClaudius on 17 January AD 42. | Octavian Augustus (r. 27 BC – AD 14) | [9] |
| Julia Augusta (widow) | September AD 14 – AD 29 (15 years, asaugusta) | ||||
 | Orestilla[b] | c. AD 37 (very briefly)[c] | Second wife of Caligula; forced to marry him immediately after her marriage toGaius Calpurnius Piso. After the divorce they were both exiled for allegedadultery. Probably the shortest-reigning empress. | Caligula (r. 37–41) | [11] [12] [13] |
 | Lollia Paulina | c. AD 38 (a few months)[d] | Daughter ofMarcus Lollius, originally married toPublius Memmius Regulus. Forced to commit suicide. | ||
 | Milonia Caesonia | Summer 39 – 24 January 41 (about 1 year and a half) | Born on 3 June of an unknown date, married to another man before becoming Caligula's mistress. Murdered alongside Caligula and their daughterJulia Drusilla. | ||
 | Julia Drusilla (?) (sister) | Posthumously namedaugusta in AD 38 | R. B. Hoffsten considered Drusilla to have also becomeAugusta, because, after her death, she received all the honors thatLivia had received. | [14] | |
 | Antonia Minor (mother) | Posthumously namedaugusta in AD 41 | 31 January 36 BC – 1 May 37 AD (aged 72) Mother ofClaudius; daughter ofMark Antony andOctavia Minor. | Claudius (r. 41–54) | [15] |
 | Valeria Messalina | 24 January 41 – AD 48 (7 years) | Daughter ofMarcus Valerius Messalla. Executed after having an affair withGaius Silius; suffereddamnatio memoriae. | [16] | |
 | Agrippina the Younger Julia Agrippina | 1 January 49 – 13 October 54 (5 years, 9 months and 12 days) | 6 November 15 – 23 March 59 (aged 43) Daughter ofGermanicus Julius Caesar, sister of Caligula, and mother of Nero, namedaugusta in AD 50. Murdered on the orders of Nero. | [17] | |
 | Claudia Octavia | 13 October 54 – AD 62 (7 years and a few months) | 39/40 AD – 9 June 62 (aged 22–23) Daughter of Claudius andValeria Messalina. Exiled and later executed. | Nero (r. 54–68) | [18] |
.jpg) | Poppaea Sabina | AD 62 – AD 65 (3 years) | 30/32 AD – early Summer 65 (aged 33–35) Daughter ofTitus Ollius; marriedRufrius Crispinusc. 50, then the future emperorOtho in 58. Namedaugusta shortly afterClaudia's birth in January 63, posthumouslydeified. | ||
 | Claudia (daughter) | Posthumously namedaugusta in AD 63 | Only daughter of Nero and Sabina; was born on 21 January 63 and died on May of the same year. | ||
 | Statilia Messalina | early 66 – 9 June 68 (2 years) | c. 35 – after 68 Daughter ofTitus Statilius Taurus (consul 44), married consulMarcus Julius Vestinus Atticus in AD 63/64. Married Nero after the forced suicide of her husband. |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sextilia (mother) | 69 (asaugusta) | Mother ofVitellius. | Vitellius (r. 69) | [19] |
 | Galeria Fundana | 19 April – 20 December 69 (8 months and 1 day) | Born on 3 January of an unknown date. Daughter of a pretor; possibly related toPublius Galerius Trachalus. | [20] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Flavia Domitilla (daughter) | Posthumously namedaugusta by AD 80 | Only daughter ofVespasian andDomitilla the Elder, mother ofSaint Domitilla | Vespasian (r. 69–79) | [21] |
.jpg) | Julia Flavia (daughter) | 79 – 91 (asaugusta) | Daughter of Titus. | Titus (r. 79–81) | [19] |
 | Domitia Longina | 14 September 81 – 18 September 96 (15 years and 4 days) | 11 February 50/55 – c. 126 (aged approx. 70–76) Daughter of generalGnaeus Domitius Corbulo, first married to senatorLucius Aelius Aelianus. Namedaugusta after her marriage to Domitian. Survived her husband's assassination and died during the reign ofHadrian. | Domitian (r. 81–96) | [22] |
All empresses of this period received the titleaugusta.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Pompeia Plotina | 28 January 98 – 11 August 117 (19 years, 6 months and 14 days) | c. 70 (?) – c. 123 (aged approx. 53) Daughter of LuciusPompeius, namedaugusta around 105, posthumouslydeified. She was interested inEpicurean philosophical school. May have been involved in the appointment of Hadrian as successor. | Trajan (r. 98–117) | [23] |
 | Ulpia Marciana (sister) | c. 105 – 114 (about 9 years, asaugusta) | 15/30 Augustc. 48 – 29 August 122 (aged approx. 74) Sister of Trajan. She was given the title ofaugusta, but apparently did not immediately accept it | ||
 | Salonia Matidia (niece) | 29 August 112 – 119 (7 years, asaugusta) | 4 July 68 – 23 December 119 (aged 51) Daughter ofUlpia Marciana andpraetorGaius Salonius Matidius Patruinus, in practice adopted daughter of Trajan. Great grand-mother ofMarcus Aurelius | ||
 | Vibia Sabina | 11 August 117 – c. 137 (c. 20 years) | c. 85 – 136/137 (aged approx. 52) Daughter of senatorLucius Vibius Sabinus, married Hadrian around 100, namedaugusta around 119, posthumouslydeified. | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | [25] |
 | Faustina the Elder Annia Galeria Faustina | 10 July 138 – late October 140 (2 years and 3 months) | c. 97[e] – late October 140 (aged approx. 43) Daughter ofMarcus Annius Verus the Elder, married Antoninus around 120, namedaugusta in 138, posthumouslydeified | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | [27] |
 | Faustina the Younger Annia Galeria Faustina | 7 March 161 – 175 (14 years) | c. 130[e] – 176 (aged approx. 46) Daughter ofAntoninus Pius, betrothed toLucius Verus on 25 February 138, married Marcus Aurelius on 13 May (?) 145. Namedaugusta on 1 December 147 andmater castrorum (mother of thecastra) in 174, posthumously deified. | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | [28] |
 | Lucilla Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla | 163 (?) – 169 (6 years) | 7 March 149 – 181/182 (aged 32–33) Daughter ofMarcus Aurelius, betrothed to Lucius Verus in 161, namedaugusta shortly after the marriage. Exiled toCapri and executed byCommodus. | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) | [29] |
 | Bruttia Crispina | 178 – 191/2 (3–4 years) | Daughter ofGaius Bruttius Praesens (consul 153), namedaugusta after her marriage with Commodus, sometime before 3 August 178. Exiled to Capri for allegedadultery and executed soon after; suffereddamnatio memoriae. | Commodus (r. 180–192)[f] | [30] |
All empresses of this period received the titleaugusta.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Flavia Titiana | 1 January – 28 March 193 (2 months and 27 days) | Daughter ofTitus Flavius Claudius Sulpicianus. Her fate is unknown, but she probably was spared alongside her children | Pertinax (r. 193) | [31] [32] |
.jpg) | Manlia Scantilla | 28 March – 1 June 193 (2 months and 4 days) | Namedaugusta alongside her daughter. | Didius Julianus (r. 193) | [33] [34] |
 | Didia Clara (daughter) | AD 193 (briefly asaugusta) | Survived the death of Didius Julianus but her fate is unknown. |
All empresses of this period were namedaugusta on or shortly after their marriage.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Julia Domna | 9 April 193 – 4 February 211 (17 years, 9 months and 26 days) | October/Decemberc. 170 – April 217 (aged approx. 47) Daughter ofJulius Bassianus, high priest of theElagabal cult. Married Severus in 185, namedaugusta on 1 June 193, posthumouslydeified. After 211 she held the title ofmatercastrorum etsenatus etpatriae. | Septimius Severus (r. 193–211) | [35] |
.JPG) | Publia Fulvia Plautilla | 9/15 April 202 –c. 22 January 205 (1 year and 9 months) | Daughter ofGaius Fulvius Plautianus. Divorced after the execution of her father; killed by Caracalla in 211; suffereddamnatio memoriae. | Caracalla (r. 211–217)[g] | [36] |
 | Nonia Celsa (?) | 217 – 218 (?) (1 year?) | Probably fictional. | Macrinus (r. 217–218) | [37] |
 | Julia Soaemias (mother) | 8 June 218 – 11 March 222 (asaugusta) | Daughter ofJulia Maesa, sister ofJulia Avita Mamaea, and niece ofJulia Domna. Murdered by thePraetorian Guard alongside her son Elagabalus. | Elagabalus (r. 218–222) | [38] |
 | Julia Cornelia Paula | c. 220 (about 1 year or less) | Of noble descent; divorced. | ||
 | Julia Aquilia Severa | c. 220 / 221 (about 1 year or less) late 221 – March 222 (less than a year) | AVestal Virgin of noble descent. Divorced but later remarried to Elagabalus, styledaugusta, mater castrorum, senatus ac patriae. | ||
 | Annia Faustina Annia Aurelia Faustina | 221 (a few months) | Daughter ofTiberius Claudius Severus Proculus and descendant of emperorMarcus Aurelius. Divorced shortly after the marriage. | ||
 | Julia Maesa (grandmother) | 218 – after November 224 (asaugusta) | Sister ofJulia Domna and mother ofJulia Soaemias andJulia Mamaea. Was instrumental in her grandsons Elagabalus andSeverus Alexander's accession. | Elagabalus (r. 218–222) | [39] |
| Severus Alexander (r. 222–235) | |||||
 | Julia Avita Mamaea (mother) | 222 – 21/22 March 235 (asaugusta) | Daughter ofJulia Maesa, niece ofJulia Domna, and sister ofJulia Soaemias. Advised Severus Alexander in government. Murdered by the rebelling troops alongside her son. | Severus Alexander (r. 222–235) | [40] |
 | Sallustia Orbiana Gnaea Seia Herennia Sallustia Barbia Orbiana | 225 – 227 (2 years) | Daughter ofLucius Seius Herennius Sallustius; exiled to Africa. | [41] | |
All empresses during this period received the titleaugusta, with the sole exception ofNumerian's wife.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Caecilia Paulina | 235 (?) (very briefly?) | Most likely dead by the time Maximinus became emperor. She wasdeified by her husband. | Maximinus I (r. 235–238) | [42] |
 | Fabia Orestilla (?) | 238 (?) (22 days?) | Probably fictional. | Gordian I (r. 238) | [43] |
 | Tranquillina Furia Sabinia Tranquillina | 12 May (?) 241 –c. February 244 (2 years and a half) | Daughter ofGaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus; unknown fate. | Gordian III (r. 238–244) | [44] |
 | Marcia Otacilia Severa | 244 – 248 (?) (c. 4 years) | Daughter or sister of a man called Severianus. | Philip (r. 244–249) | [45] |
 | Herennia Etruscilla Herennia Cupressenia Etruscilla | 249 – 251 (2 years) | Of a nobleEtrurian descent. Died in 253. | Decius (r. 249–251) | [46] |
 | Gaia Cornelia Supera | 253 (3 months) | Known from numismatic evidence. Her inscriptions suffereddamnatio memoriae. | Aemilianus (r. 253) | [47] |
 | Egnatia Mariniana (?) | Posthumously namedaugusta from AD 253 | D. Calomino considered that the coins of Mariniana, like those ofPaulina andFaustina the Elder, bear the omission ofAugusta betweenDiva and the empress’s personal name in their legends. | Valerian (r. 253–260) | [48] [49] |
| — | Cornelia Gallonia [de] (?) | c. 250s | Her existence is inferred from an inscription fromBulzi inSardinia published in 2004, which names her asaugusta and wife of Valerian. However, according to Heil and Eck, Cornelia Gallonia never existed, since it may stem from a confusion withCornelia Salonina. | [50] [48] [51] | |
 | Cornelia Salonina | 253 – 268 (15 years) | Mother ofValerian II,Saloninus andMarinianus (consul 268). Fate unknown after Gallienus' death. | Gallienus (r. 253–268) | [52] |
 | Sulpicia Dryantilla (usurper) | c. 260 | Wife of the usurper Regalianus, who attempted to usurp power inPannonia. | Regalianus (r. 260) | [53] |
 | Ulpia Severina | 270 – 275 (5 years) | Possibly a daughter ofUlpius Crinitus. Sometimes said to have beenempress regnant between the death of Aurelian and the accession ofTacitus, but this has been disputed by modern historians. | Aurelian (r. 270–275) | [55] [56] [57] |
 | Victoria (?) (mother) | c. 271 (asaugusta) | Probably fictional. | Victorinus (r. 269–271) | [58] |
.png) | Zenobia (usurper) | 272 | Ruler of thePalmyrene Empire in name of her infant sonVaballathus | Empress regnant of Palmyra | [59] |
.jpg) | Magnia Urbica | 283 – 285 (5 years) | Given the titleMater castrorum, senatus ac patriae. | Carinus (r. 283–285) | [60] [61] |
| — | Unknown name | 283 – 284 (2 years) | Daughter ofAper the praetorian prefect. | Numerian (r. 283–284) | [61] |
OnlyValeria received the title ofaugusta during the Tetrarchy, and only a few women did so in the Constantinian and Valentinianic dynasties.
| Portrait | Name[h] | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Prisca | 20 November 284 – 1 May 305 (20 years, 5 months and 11 days) | A Christian, retired after the abdication of Diocletian. Exiled to Syria byMaximinus Daza and later executed byLicinius during theCivil wars of the Tetrarchy, probably in 315. | Diocletian (r. 284–305) | [62] [63] |
.jpg) | Eutropia | 1 April 286 – 1 May 305 (19 years and 1 month, West) | Possibly the widow ofAfranius Hannibalianus. Still alive in 325. | Maximian (r. 286–305) | [64] |
 | Galeria Valeria | 1 May 305 – May 311 (6 years, East) | Daughter ofDiocletian and (probably)Prisca; married Galerius after his elevation ascaesar in 293, styled asaugusta andmater castrorum. Exiled alongside her mother byMaximinus Daza, and later executed byLicinius | Galerius (r. 305–311) | [65] [66] |
.jpg) | Flavia Maximiana Theodora | 1 May 305 – 25 July 306 (1 year, 2 months and 24 days, West) | Daughter ofEutropia and (probably)Afranius Hannibalianus, step-daughter of Maximian. | Constantius I (r. 305–306) | [65] |
.jpg) | Valeria Maximilla | 28 October 306 – 28 October 312 (6 years, Italy) | Daughter ofGalerius, married Maxentiusc. 305. Her fate following Maxentius' death is unknown, but may have suffereddamnatio memoriae. | Maxentius (r. 306–312) | [67] |
| — | Unknown name | 310 – 313 (?) (3 years, East) | Perhaps related to Galerius. | Maximinus II Daza (r. 310–313) | [68] |
.jpg) | Flavia Julia Constantia | 313 – 324 (11 years, East) | Half-sister ofConstantine I. Lived at her brother's court following Licinius' and her son's execution. | Licinius (r. 308–324) | [69] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Minervina | 306 – 307 (?) (1 year?) | Referred as the wife of Constantine by thePanegyrici Latini VI, but called aconcubine byAurelius Victor andZosimus. She died or was divorced by 307. | Constantine I (r. 306–337) | [70] |
 | Flavia Maxima Fausta | March 307 – Summer 326 (19 years) | c. 290 (?) – Summer 326 (aged approx. 36) Daughter ofMaximian andEutropia, namedaugusta after Constantine's victory overLicinius in 324. Executed, possibly foradultery with her stepson,Crispus. | [71] [72] | |
.jpg) | Flavia Julia Helena (mother) | 324–330 (6 years, asaugusta) | c. 250–330 (aged approx. 80) Mother ofConstantine I and ex-wife or mistress ofConstantius I. | [71] [72] | |
| — | Flavia Valeria Constantina (?) (daughter) | 335–354 (?) (19 years, asaugusta) | Daughter of Constantine. Wife ofHannibalianus and later thecaesarGallus. Her appointment asaugusta may be fictional. | [73] [74] | |
| — | Unknown name | 9 September 337 – April 340 (2 years and 7 months) | Obscure figure, married to Constantine II by 335 and alive at the time of his death. Perhaps a daughter of one of Constantine I's half-brothers. | Constantine II (r. 337–340) | [75] |
| — | Unknown name | 337 – 353 (16 years) | Nothing known. | Constantius II (r. 337–361) | [76] [77] |
 | Eusebia | c. 353 – c. 360 (about 7 years) | Probably a daughter ofEusebius (consul 347); supportedJulian; died sometime before 361. | [78] [77] | |
| — | Faustina | 361 (a few months) | JoinedProcopius (r. 365–366) during his brief rule inConstantinople. | [79] | |
| — | Justina | late 350 – 11 August 353 (3 years) | Daughter of governor Justus; married Magnentius as a young girl. | Magnentius (r. 350–353) | [80] [81] |
 | Helena | c. February –c. November 360 (9 months or less) | Daughter ofConstantine I andFausta; wrongly called "Constantina" in some sources. Died around Julian's accession as sole emperor. | Julian (r. 360–363) | [82] |
 | Charito | 27 June 363 – 17 February 364 (7 months and 21 days) | Daughter of themagister equitumLucillianus, possibly alive as late as 380. | Jovian (r. 363–364) | [83] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Marina Severa | 364 – 370 (6 years) | Divorced and exiled. Later returned to court under her sonGratian. | Valentinian I (r. 364–375) | [84] [85] |
| — | Justina (second time) | c. 370 – 375 (c. 5 years) | Married Valentinian I after his divorce with Marina Severa. Mother ofValentinian II. During an invasion byMagnus Maximus, she and her son fled toTheodosius I who defeated Magnus Maximus and reinstalled them. Died around 388. | [80] [81] | |
| — | Domnica[i] | 28 March 364 – 9 August 378 (14 years, 4 months and 12 days) | Daughter of praetorian prefect Petronius. DefendedConstantinople against theGoths after the death of Valens in theBattle of Adrianople. | Valens (r. 364–378) | [86] [87] |
 | Constantia | c. 374 – early 383 (c. 2 years and 7 months) | early 362 – early 383 (aged 21) Posthumous child ofConstantius II andFaustina; alongside her mother Faustina, was present beside Procopius in 365 to ensure the loyalty of his troops. | Gratian (r. 375–383)[j] | [69] |
| — | Laeta | before 25 August 383 (a few months) | Daughter of Tisamene; supplied the city of Rome with food during the siege ofAlaric I in 408. | [88] |
All empress, with the exceptions ofGalla, "Elen", andThermantia, received the titleaugusta.
| Portrait | Name[k] | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | Aelia Flaccilla Aelia Flavia Flaccilla[l] | 19 January 379 – early 386 (7 years) | Married Theodosiusc. 376, died in 386. | Theodosius I (r. 379–395) | [91] [92] |
| — | Galla | 386 – 394 (8 years) | Daughter ofValentinian I andJustina; died during childbirth. | [93] [92] | |
| — | Unknown name | 25 August 383 – 28 August 388 (5 years and 3 days) | Known as "Saint Elen" inWelsh legend. | Magnus Maximus (r. 383–388) | [94] |
.png) | Eudoxia | 27 April 395 – 6 October 404 (9 years, 5 months and 9 days) | Daughter of the Frankish generalBauto; advised the emperor, and was involved in the downfall ofEutropius. Proclaimedaugusta on 9 January 400 during the uprising ofGainas. | Arcadius (r. 395–408) | [95] [96] |
 | Maria | c. 398 – 407 (c. 9 years) | Daughter of the generalStilicho, died in 407. | Honorius (r. 395–423) | [97] |
 | Thermantia Aemilia Materna Thermantia | 408 (a few months) | Daughter of Stilicho; banished by Honorius following Stilicho's execution in August 408. Died sometime before 30 July 415. | [98] | |
 | Eudocia | 7 June 421 – 28 July 450 (29 years, 1 month and 21 days) | c. 400 – 20 October 460 (aged approx. 60) Born as "Athenais", daughter of Leontius, a philosopher. Proclaimedaugusta on 2 January 423. Departed from the court in the 440s following an estrangement with Theodosius. Left numerous writings. | Theodosius II (r. 408–450) | [99] [100] |
 | Galla Placidia | 8 February – 2 September 421 (7 months lacking 6 days) | 388 – 27 November 450 (aged approx. 72) Daughter ofTheodosius I andGalla. Originally married the Visigothic kingAthaulf, married Constantius on 1 January 417. After the instalment of her sonValentinian III as emperor, she became regent alongsideAetius. Died in 450. | Constantius III (r. 421) | [101] [102] |
.png) | Justa Grata Honoria (sister) | c. 437–450 (13 years, asaugusta) | c. 418–450 (aged approx. 32) Daughter ofConstantius III. Possibly exiled after an intrigue withAttila the Hun. | Valentinian III (r. 425–455) | [103] |
.jpg) | Licinia Eudoxia | 29 October 437 – 31 May 455 (17 years, 7 months and 2 days) | 422 –c. 493 (aged approx. 71) Daughter ofTheodosius II andEudocia. Forced to marry Maximus after the murder of Valentinian. Taken to Africa after thesack of Rome, was freed in about 462. | Valentinian III (r. 425–455) | [104] |
| Petronius Maximus (r. 455) | |||||
 | Pulcheria | 25 August 450 – July 453 (2 years and 10 months) | 19 January 399 – July 453 (aged 55) Daughter ofArcadius andEudoxia, proclaimedaugusta and guardian of her younger brotherTheodosius II on 4 July 414. Involved in the Councils ofEphesus andChalcedon. Married Marcian after his election as emperor byAspar. | Marcian (r. 450–457) | [105] [106] [107] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.png) | Marcia Euphemia | 12 April 467 – 11 July 472 (5 years and 3 months) | Only daughter ofMarcian, who married her to Anthemiusc. 453. Styled asaugusta | Anthemius (r. 467–472) | [108] |
| — | Alypia (?) (daughter) | 467–472 (?) (asaugusta) | On a coin depicting Euphemia and Alypia, they are shown wearing the typicalAugusta vestments, so it is possible that both were appointedAugustae | [109] | |
| — | Placidia | April – 2 November 472 (7 months) | Daughter ofValentinian III andLicinia Eudoxia, married Olybrius in 454/454. Still alivec. 480. | Olybrius (r. 472) | [110] |
| — | Unknown name | 24 June 474 – 28 August 475 (1 year, 2 months and 4 days) | A relative of EmpressVerina. | Julius Nepos (r. 474–475/80)[m] | [111] |
During the later 'Byzantine' period, all empresses (unless noted) received the titleaugusta; whether it was still considered a formal title or just a synonym to "empress" is not known.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.png) | Verina | 7 February 457 – 18 January 474 (16 years, 11 months and 11 days) | Sister ofBasiliscus. Plotted againstEmperor Zeno withPatricius, but was betrayed by Basiliscus. Her son-in-lawMarcian rebelled in 479. After being held in captivity underIllus, she endorsedLeontius' usurpation in 484; she died during the ensuing war, probably in 484. | Leo I (r. 457–474) | [112] [113] |
_(cropped).jpg) | Ariadne | 29 January 474 – late 515 (39 years and a few months) | Daughter ofLeo I andVerina, married Zeno in 466/467. Chose Anastasius as successor and married him immediately after Zeno's death. The third longest-reigning empress, afterHelena Lekapene andLivia. | Zeno (r. 474–491) | [114] [115] |
| Anastasius I (r. 491–518) | |||||
.png) | Zenonis | 9 January 475 – August 476 (1 year and 7 months) | Died alongside her husband after Zeno's restoration. | Basiliscus (r. 475–476) | [116] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Euphemia | 10 July 518 – before August 527 (6 years or less) | Formerly named "Lupicina". According toProcopius'sSecret History, originally a slave of barbarian origin. | Justin I (r. 518–527) | [117] |
.png) | Theodora | 1 April 527 – 28 June 548 (21 years, 2 months and 27 days) | c. 497 – 28 June 548 (aged approx. 50) Daughter of Acacius; aunt of Sophia; married Justinianc. 524 and became one of his main advisers. | Justinian I (r. 527–565) | [118] [119] |
.jpg) | Sophia | 14 November 565 – 5 October 578 (12 years, 10 months and 21 days) | Niece of Theodora. Became regent alongsideTiberius II after Justin's mental collapse in 573; was pushed out after plotting against Tiberius after Justin's death. She was present inMaurice's court and still alive by 601. | Justin II (r. 565–578) | [120] [121] |
 | (Ino) Anastasia | 26 September 578 – 14 August 582 (3 years, 10 months and 19 days) | Had already been a widow before marrying Tiberius sometime before his appointment ascaesar in 574. Initially opposed by Sophia, she later became the mother-in-law of Maurice and died sometime after, perhaps in 593. | Tiberius II Constantine (r. 578–582) | [122] |
.jpg) | Constantina | 13 August 582 – 27 November 602 (20 years, 3 months and 14 days) | Daughter of Tiberius II and Anastasia. Marriedcaesar Maurice on Tiberius' deathbed. Exiled after Maurice's execution, tried to plot againstPhocas but was eventually killed in 605. | Maurice (r. 582–602) | [123] |
_and_Leontia_(right)_coin.png) | Leontia | 23 November 602 – 5 October 610 (?) (7 years, 10 months and 12 days) | Daughter of Sergius. Her fate after Phocas' execution is unknown. | Phocas (r. 602–610) | [124] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Fabia Eudokia Ευδοκία | 5 October 610 – 13 August 612 (1 year, 10 months and 8 days) | Daughter of Rogas of Libya; died ofepilepsy. | Heraclius (r. 610–641) | [125] |
| — | Eudoxia Epiphania (daughter) | 4 October 611 – ? (asaugusta) | Daughter ofHeraclius andFabia Eudokia. | [126] | |
 | Martina Μαρτίνα | c. 613 – 11 February 641 (about 7 years) | Daughter of Martinus; niece of Heraclius, which led to controversies around her marriage. Became regent of her young sonHeraclonas afterConstantine's death. Was soon deposed,mutilated, and exiled byValentinus in favor ofConstans II, who was also a minor at the time. | [127] | |
| — | Augustina [pt] &Martina [pt] (daughters) | 4 January 639 – ? (unknown tenure asaugustae) | Crownedaugustae alongside their mother Martina the Elder. | [128] [129] | |
| — | Gregoria Γρηγορία | early 630 – 25 May 641 (11 years) | Daughter ofNicetas (cousin of Heraclius), married Constantine in early 630 (or late 629). Regent during the early reign of her sonConstans II. Not recorded asaugusta | Constantine III Heraclius (r. 641)[n] | [130] |
| — | Fausta Φαύστα | 642 – 15 July 668 (26 years) | Possibly a daughter ofValentinus, usurper in 644. | Constans II (r. 641–668) | [131] |
| — | Anastasia Αναστασία | September 668 (?) – July 685 (16 years and 6 months?) | Still alive during the reign ofPhilippicus; not recorded asaugusta | Constantine IV (r. 668–685) | [132] |
| — | Eudokia Ευδοκία | c. 685 –c. 695 (10 years?) | Possibly dead by 695, not recorded asaugusta | Justinian II (r. 685–695; 705–711) | [133] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Unknown name | c. 695 – 698 (?) (c. 3 years) | Nothing known | Leontius (r. 695–698) | [134] |
| — | Unknown name | c. 698 – 705 (?) (c. 7 years) | Nothing known | Tiberius III (r. 698–705) | [134] |
| — | Theodora of Khazaria Θεοδώρα | c. 21 August 705 – 4 November 711 (c. 6 years, 2 months and 14 days) | The first foreign-born empress. Sister ofBusir,Khagan ofKhazaria. Became Justinian's second wife during his exile in 703; crowned[o] alongside her sonTiberius in 705. | Justinian II (r. 685–695; 705–711) | [135] |
| — | Unknown name | c. 711 – 713 (?) (c. 2 years) | Nothing known | Philippicus (r. 711–713) | [134] |
| — | Irene Ειρήνη | c. 713 – 715 (c. 2 years) | Little information recorded other than her name | Anastasius II (r. 713–715) | [134] |
| — | Unknown name | c. 715 – 717 (?) (c. 2 years) | Nothing known | Theodosius III (r. 715–717) | [134] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Maria Μαρία | 25 March 717 – 18 June 741 (?) (24 years, 2 months and 24 days?) | Crowned on 25 December 718. Mother ofConstantine V | Leo III (r. 717–741) | [136] |
| — | Tzitzak Irene Εἰρήνη | 733 – 750 (17 years) | Daughter ofkhaganBihar of Khazaria. Opposed the iconoclasm of her husband; died shortly afterLeo IV's birth | Constantine V (r. 741–775)[p] | [137] |
| — | Maria Μαρία | c. 751 – 752 (c. 1 year) | Died soon after her marriage. | [138] | |
| — | Eudokia Ευδοκία | c. 753 – 14 September 775 (?) (c. 22 years?) | Already married by November 764, crowned on 1 April 769; fate unknown. | [139] | |
| — | Anna Άννα | June 741 – 2 November 743 (2 years and 5 months) | Daughter ofLeo III, married Artabasdos in 717. Banished after her husband's failed coup; not recorded asaugusta | Artabasdos (r. 741–743) | [140] |
_(cropped_4to3).jpg) | Irene of Athens Εἰρήνη | 3 November 769 – 31 October 802 (33 years lacking 3 days) | c. 752 – 9 August 803 (aged approx. 51) A member of theSarantapechos family;crowned on 17 December 769. Becamede facto ruler after Leo's death as her son's regent. Ended theFirst iconoclasm with theSecond Council of Nicaea in 787. She took full power after deposing and blinding her son on 19 August 797. She was herself deposed and banished in 802, later dying of natural causes. | Leo IV (r. 775–780)[q] | [141] [142] |
| Co-empress 792–797[r] | |||||
| Empress regnant 797–802 | |||||
| — | Maria of Amnia Μαρία | November 788 – January 795 (6 years and 2 months) | Grand-daughter ofSaint Philaretos; bornc. 773. She was forced to become a nun. Died sometime after 824. | Constantine VI (r. 780–797) | [144] |
| — | Theodote Θεοδότη | September 795 – 19 August 797 (1 year and 11 months) | Cousin ofSaint Theodore the Studite; originally akoubikoularia, she was crowned in August 795. Deposed by Irene. | [145] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Unknown name[s] | — | Unmentioned in literary sources, possibly dead before Nikephoros became emperor | Nikephoros I (r. 802–811) | [146] |
| — | Theophano of Athens Θεοφανώ | 20 December 807 – 2 October 811 (3 years, 9 months and 12 days) | A relative ofIrene of Athens, considered as a candidate for the throne after Staurakios' defeat at theBattle of Pliska, retired as a nun alongside him; not recorded asaugusta | Staurakios (r. 811) | [148] |
| — | Prokopia Προκοπία | 2 October 811 – 11 July 813 (1 year, 9 months and 9 days) | Daughter ofNikephoros I and sister of emperorStaurakios; retired as a nun | Michael I Rangabe (r. 811–813) | [149] |
 | Theodosia Θεοδοσία | 11 July 813 – 25 December 820 (7 years, 5 months and 14 days) | Daughter ofArsaber,patrikios and rival emperor in 808. Become a nun after the murder of her husband; retained several of her privileges | Leo V (r. 813–820) | [150] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Thekla Θέκλα | 25 December 820 –c. 824 (c. 4 years) | Daughter of the rebelBardanes Tourkos. Died some years after Michael's accession. | Michael II (r. 820–829) | [151] |
| — | Euphrosyne Εὐφροσύνη | c. 824 – 2 October 829 (c. 6 years) | Daughter ofConstantine VI andMaria, became a nun after the fall ofIrene, but was later recalled and married Michael, perhaps at the age of 50. Still alive by 836. | [152] | |
.jpg) | Theodora the Armenian Θεοδώρα | 5 June 830 – 20 January 842 (11 years, 7 months and 15 days) | c. 815 –c. 867 (aged approx. 52) Becamede facto ruler on 20 January 842, as regent of her infant sonMichael III, alongsideTheoktistos. Ended theSecond iconoclasm in 843. Deposed and exiled by her son after forcing him to marryEudokia Dekapolitissa. They both reconciled shortly before Michael's death. | Theophilos (r. 829–842) | [153] [154] |
 | Anna & Anastasia (daughters) | c. 830s (unknown tenure asaugustae) | Daughters ofTheophilos andTheodora, namedaugustae alongside their sisterThekla. | [155] | |
.jpg) | Thekla the Younger Θέκλα | 842 – 15 March 856 (14 years) | Daughter ofTheophilos andTheodora, namedaugusta alongside her sisters Anna and Anastasia. Appeared to have been associated to the imperial office with an even higher status than Michael. She later became a mistress toBasil I, but was sidelined after he married. | Co-empress 842–856 | [156] |
 | Eudokia Dekapolitissa Ευδοκία Δεκαπολίτισσα | 855 – 24 September 867 (12 years) | Forced to marry Michael III, who was in love withEudokia Ingerina, byTheodora andTheoktistos; fate unknown. | Michael III (r. 842–867) | [157] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | Eudokia Ingerina Ευδοκία Ιγγερίνα | 26 May 866 – 882 (16 years) | c. 840 – 882 (aged approx. 42) Daughter ofInger (senator); former lover ofMichael III, who married her to Basil shortly before his coronation as co-emperor; not recorded asaugusta | Basil I (r. 867–886)[t] | [158] |
.jpg) | Theophano Martinakia Θεοφανώ Μαρτινιακή | 883 – 893 (14 years) | c. 867 – 10 November 897 (aged approx. 30) Daughter ofConstantine Martinakios; retired to a monastery and died in 897. | Leo VI (r. 886–912)[u] | [159] [160] |
| — | Zoe Zaoutzaina Ζωὴ Ζαούτζαινα | late 898 – early 899 (1 year and 8 months) | Possibly a lover of Leo, said to have poisoned her former husband, Theodoros Guniatzitzes. | [161] | |
| — | Anna of Constantinople [fr] (daughter) | c. May 900 (asaugusta) | In May 900, Leo VI had his daughter Anna crownedaugusta, however she was soon sent to the West to marryLouis III. | [162] | |
| — | Eudokia Baïana Εὐδοκία Βαϊανή | Summer 900 – 12 April 901 (1 year) | Married Leo after the death of Zoe. Died during childbirth | [163] | |
_(cropped1).jpg) | Zoe Karbonopsina Ζωὴ | 9 January 906 – 11 May 912 (5 years, 4 months and 2 days) | A relative of writerTheophanes and generalHimerios, originally a concubine of Leo. She was expelled after Leo's death, but returned and deposed the regency ofPatriarch Nicholas in February/March 914, ruling on behalf of her sonConstantine VII. She was sidelined after the rise ofRomanos I in 919 and was forced to become a nun. | [164] | |
| — | Unknown name | c. 912 – 913 (?) | Nothing known | Alexander (r. 912–913) | [134] |
.png) | Helena Lekapene Ἑλένη Λεκαπηνή | 4 May 919 – 9 November 959 (40 years, 6 months and 5 days) | April 907 – 19 September 961 (aged 54) Daughter ofRomanos I andTheodora, married shortly after Romanos' coup; crowned after Theodora's death. Became very influential in court until Constantine became sole ruler (945), later dying of an illness. The second longest-reigning empress. | Constantine VII (r. 913–959) | [165] |
| — | Theodora Θεοδώρα | 17 December 920 – 20 February 922 (1 year, 2 months and 3 days) | The second wife of Romanos, marriedc. 907; crowned on 6 January 921. | Romanos I Lekapenos (r. 919–944) | [166] |
| — | Sophia [bg] | 20 May 921 – August 931 | Daughter of the patrician Niketas | Christopher Lekapenos (r. 921–931) | [167] |
| — | Anna Gabala | 933 – 27 January 945 | Daughter of a certain Gabalas. | Stephen Lekapenos (r. 924–945) | [167] |
| — | Helen | 939 – 14 January 940 | First wife ofConstantine Lekapenos. | Constantine Lekapenos (r. 924–945) | [167] |
| — | Theophano Mamas | 2 February 940 – 27 January 945 | Second wife ofConstantine Lekapenos. | [167] | |
.JPG) | Eudokia [el] Εὐδοκία | 945 – 949 (4 years) | Daughter ofHugh of Italy, originally named Bertha. Betrothed to Romanos II in September 944, she died in 949, aged no more than 10 years old. She is not recorded asaugusta. | Romanos II (r. 959–963)[v] | [168] |
 | Anastaso Theophano Θεοφανώ | 955/6 – 11 December 969 (13–14 years)[w] | c. 940 – c. 980 (?) (aged approx. 40) Daughter of Krateros and Maria. MarriedNikephoros II on 20 September 963, shortly after his coup.Skylitzes accuses her of poisoning Romanos, but this seems to be a later invention, asLeo the Deacon states that he died of an illness. She did, however, conspire withJohn Tzimiskes to murder Nikephoros. She is last mentioned in 978. | Romanos II (r. 959–963)[x] | [169] [170] |
| Nikephoros II Phokas (r. 963–969) | |||||
| — | Theodora Θεοδώρα | November 970 – 10 January 976 (?) (5 years and 2 months) | Daughter ofConstantine VII andHelena Lekapene; born in the late 930s. | John I Tzimiskes (r. 969–976) | [171] |
| — | Helena Ελένη | c. 976 –c. 989 (?) (about 13 years?) | Daughter of Alypius; not recorded asaugusta. | Constantine VIII (r. 1025–1028)[y] | [172] |
| — | Helena (ex-wife) | c. 1028 – ? (assebaste) | To avoid her husband losing his eyes, she retired to a convent under the monastic name of Maria. Romanos III gave her the title ofsebaste, the Greek foraugusta, and made extravagant charitable donations on her death. | Romanos III Argyros(r. 1028–34) | [173] |
 | Zoe Porphyrogenita Ζωὴ | 12 November 1028 – 1050 (22 years) | c. 978 – 1050 (aged approx. 72) Daughter ofConstantine VIII, probably ordered the murder of Romanos III. Ruled in her own right alongsideTheodora fromMichael V's deposition until her marriage toConstantine IX (21 April–11 June 1042). After this she had little involvement in politics, later dying of natural causes. | Romanos III Argyros(r. 1028–34) | [174] [175] |
| Michael IV(r. 1034–1041) | |||||
| Empress regnant 1042 | |||||
| Constantine IX Monomachos (r. 1042–1055) | |||||
| — | Maria Skleraina (mistress) | 1042 – c. 1045 (assebaste) | She was titledsebaste, the Greek foraugusta, and was called empress (despoina). | Constantine IX Monomachos (r. 1042–1055) | [176] |
| — | Unknown name (mistress) | c. 1051 (assebaste) | A certain "Alan princess" was titledsebaste, the Greek foraugusta, and performed the part of empress. | [177] | |
 | Theodora Porphyrogenita Θεοδώρα | 21 April 1042 – 31 August 1056 (14 years, 4 months and 10 days) | c. 980 – 31 August 1056 (aged approx. 76) Sister ofZoe, proclaimed co-empress during the revolt that deposedMichael V in 1042. Sidelined after Zoë's marriage to Constantine IX, returned asempress regnant after the latter's death on 11 January 1055. Died of natural causes shortly after appointingMichael VI as her successor. | Empress regnant 1042 | [178] [179] |
| Co-empress 1042–1055 | |||||
| Empress regnant 1055–1056 | |||||
| — | Catherine of Bulgaria Αἰκατερίνη | 1 September 1057 – 22 November 1059 (2 years, 2 months and 21 days) | Daughter ofIvan Vladislav of Bulgaria. Retired to a monastery with themonastic name "Xene" | Isaac I Komnenos (r. 1057–1059) | [180] |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | Eudokia Makrembolitissa Ευδοκία Μακρεμβολίτισσα | 23 November 1059 – November 1071 (12 years) | Daughter of John Makrembolites and niece ofPatriarch Michael I, bornc. 1030, married Constantinec. 1049;de facto ruler in 1067 on behalf of her sonMichael VII between Constantine's death (23 November) and her marriage to Romanos (1 January). She resumed her regency in October 1071, afterRomanos' fall, but was expelled and forced to become a nun. She was later recalled byNikephoros III in 1078. | Constantine X Doukas (r. 1059–1067) | [181] [182] |
| Empress regnant 1067[z] | |||||
| Romanos IV Diogenes (r. 1068–1071) | |||||
 | Maria of Alania Μαρία | 1066 / 1071 – 1 April 1078 (7–11 years) | c. 1052 / 1056 – 1118 (aged 62–66) Daughter ofBagrat IV of Georgia. Married Nikephoros shortly after the deposition of Michael VII in April 1078. Spent her last days in a Georgian monastery. | Michael VII Doukas (r. 1071–1078)[aa] | [183] [184] |
| Nikephoros III Botaneiates (r. 1078–1081) |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) | Irene Doukaina Ειρήνη Δούκαινα | 1 April 1081 – 15 August 1118 (37 years, 4 months and 14 days) | c. 1066 – 19 February 1138 (aged approx. 72) Daughter ofAndronikos Doukas (cousin of Michael VII). Married Alexiosc. 1078, crowned on 11 April 1081. Forced to retire to a monastery after the failed plot of her daughterAnna Komnene and her son-in-lawNikephoros Bryennios. | Alexios I Komnenos (r. 1081–1118) | [185] [186] |
| — | Anna Dalassene (mother) | April 1081 – 1 November 1100/02 (19–21 years, asdespoina) | c. 1025 – 1 November 1100/02 (aged approx. 75–77) As the mother of Alexios I, she was awarded the title of empress (despoina). Greatly involved in administration, although she later retired to a monastery. | [187] [188] | |
.jpg) | Irene of Hungary Ειρήνη | 1104 – 13 August 1134 (30 years) | Daughter ofLadislaus I of Hungary, born as "Piroska". | John II Komnenos (r. 1118–1143)[ab] | [189] [190] |
| — | Dobrodeia of Kiev | c. 1122 – 16 November 1131 (c. 9 years) | Daughter ofMstislav I of Kiev. | Alexios Komnenos (r. 1119–1142)[ac] | [191] |
| — | Bertha / Irene of Sulzbach Ειρήνη | 1146 – 1159 / 1160 (13–14 years) | Daughter ofBerengar II of Sulzbach and sister-in-law of emperorConrad III of Germany. | Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143–1180) | [192] [193] |
.jpg) | Maria Komnene (daughter) | March 1152 – July 1182 (asaugusta) | According to Cinnamus, she was given the titleaugusta at her birth. | [194] | |
 | Maria of Antioch Μαρία | 25 December 1161 – 24 September 1180 (18 years and 9 months) | 1140s – late 1182 (aged approx. 35–40) Daughter ofRaymond of Poitiers. Became a nun after Manuel's death under the name "Xene", but acted asde facto ruler as the regent ofAlexios II. She was executed after the coup ofAndronikos I. | [195] [196] | |
_(cropped).png) | Agnes / Anna of France Άννα | 2 March 1180 – 12 September 1185 (5 years, 6 months and 10 days)[ad] | Daughter ofLouis VII of France, born in 1171. Forced to marryAndronikos I, who was over 60, shortly after the murder ofAlexios II in September 1183. She became a subject of theLatin Empire after thesack of Constantinople in 1204 and marriedTheodore Branas. Not recorded asaugusta. | Alexios II Komnenos (r. 1180–1183) | [197] |
| Andronikos I Komnenos (r. 1183–1185) |
| Picture | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Margaret of Hungary Μαρία | early 1186 – 8 April 1195 (9 years) 19 July 1203 – 27 Jan. 1204 (6 months and 8 days) | Daughter ofBéla III of Hungary; born in 1175. Married CrusaderBoniface following theSack of Constantinople, becoming queen of theKingdom of Thessalonica. Not recorded asaugusta | Isaac II Angelos (r. 1185–1195; 1203–1204) | [198] |
.png) | Euphrosyne Doukaina Kamatera Ευφροσύνη Δούκαινα Καματηρά | 8 April 1195 – 18 July 1203 (8 years, 3 months and 10 days) | Daughter ofAndronikos Kamateros and relative ofcaesarJohn Doukas and theKomnenoi. Effectively ruled the Empire on behalf of her husband. She was captured by the Crusaders in 1204, but was later released in 1209/10. | Alexios III Angelos (r. 1195–1203) | [199] [200] |
| — | Irene Angelina [bg] (daughter) | Spring 1199 – ? (asbasilissa) | She was proclaimed empress (basilissa) when she marriedAlexios Palaiologos. | [201] | |
| — | Eudokia Angelina Ευδοκία Αγγελίνα | c. 1204 | Daughter ofAlexios III Angelos. | Alexios V Doukas (r. 1204) | [202] |
Irene Laskarina is calledaugusta on her seal, but it is not known if the honorific was used by other empresses too.
| Picture | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Anna Komnene Angelina Άννα Κομνηνή Αγγελίνα | 1205 –c. 1212 (7 years or less) | Daughter ofAlexios III andEuphrosyne; died a few years after the marriage. | Theodore I Laskaris (r. 1205–1221) | [203] |
| — | Philippa of Armenia Φιλίππα | 1214 – 1216 (2 years) | Cousin ofLeo I of Armenia. A troubled marriage that ended in divorce and with Theodore even disinheriting his son. | [204] | |
| — | Maria of Courtenay Μαρία | 1219 – November 1221 (2 years) | Daughter ofLatin emperorPeter. Became regent of her younger brotherBaldwin II asLatin empress in 1228, but died shortly after. | [205] | |
 | Irene Laskarina Ειρήνη Κομνηνή (Λασκαρίνα) | December 1221 – Summer 1240 (19 years) | Daughter ofTheodore I andAnna Komnene Angelina. She marriedAndronikos Palaiologos in February 1216, but he died shortly after. Irene should have married John very soon after, forTheodore II was born in 1221. She had an accident after his birth and retired under the monastic name "Eugenia". | John III Vatatzes (r. 1221–1254) | [206] [207] |
| — | Anna of Hohenstaufen Άννα | c. 1240 – 3 November 1254 (approx. 14 years) | Daughter ofFrederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, born as "Constance". Married John sometime before May 1241; died in theKingdom of Aragon (Spain) in 1307. | [208] | |
| — | Elena Asenina of Bulgaria Ἑλένη | Spring 1235 – 1252 (17 years) | Daughter ofIvan Asen II of Bulgaria, bornc. 1224. Theodore was most probably proclaimed emperor during the marriage. | Theodore II Laskaris (r. 1254–1258)[ae] | [209] [210] |
The honorificaugusta appears on the seals ofTheodora,Yolande-Irene,Rita-Maria andAnna of Savoy,[211] as well as on a miniature depictingHelena Dragaš. Given that no seals or documents of other empresses have survived, it is not known if all of them used the title, although it's most likely they did.
| Picture | Name[af] | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | Theodora Palaiologina Θεοδώρα Δούκαινα Κομνηνή Παλαιολογίνα | 1 January 1259 – 11 December 1282 (23 years and 10 days) | Granddaughter ofIsaac Doukas Vatatzes, brother ofNicaean emperorJohn III. Married Michael in 1253/4, crowned again in Constantinople afterits reconquest in 1261. Died on 4 March 1303 | Michael VIII Palaiologos (r. 1259–1282) | [212] [213] |
| — | Anna of Hungary Άννα Παλαιολογίνα | 8 November 1272 –1281 (9 years) | c. 1260 – 1281 (aged approx. 21) Daughter ofStephen V of Hungary, also a great-granddaughter ofTheodore I Laskaris through her mother. | Andronikos II Palaiologos (r. 1282–1328)[ag] | [214] |
 | Yolande / Irene of Montferrat Ειρήνη Κομνηνή Δούκαινα Παλαιολογίνα | 1288 / 1289 – 1317 (28–29 years) | 1272/1273 – 1317 (aged 44 or 45) Daughter ofWilliam VII of Montferrat and granddaughter ofAlfonso X of Castile. Proposed the idea of splitting the realm between her sons, but this was rejected by Andronikos. Retired toThessalonica, where she set up her own court. | Andronikos II Palaiologos (r. 1282–1328)[ag] | [215] [216] |
| Empress regnant in Thessalonica 1303–1317[ah] | |||||
| — | Irene Choumnaina [bg] (daughter-in-law) | 1303 – c. 1355 (asbasilissa) | As the wife ofJohn Palaiologos, she was entitled empress (basilissa). | Andronikos II Palaiologos (r. 1282–1328)[ag] | [219] |
 | Rita / Maria of Armenia Μαρία Δούκαινα Παλαιολογίνα | 1296 – 12 October 1320 (24 years) | Daughter ofLeo II of Armenia. Became a nun and died on June/July 1333 under the monastic name "Xene". | Michael IX Palaiologos (r. 1294–1320) | [220] |
| — | Irene of Brunswick Ειρήνη Παλαιολογίνα | 23 October 1317 – 16 August 1324 (6 years, 10 months less 7 days) | c. 1293 – 16 August 1324 (aged approx. 31) Daughter ofHenry I of Brunswick-Grubenhagen. Died of an illness on her way back to Constantinople. | Andronikos III Palaiologos (r. 1328–1341)[ai] | [221] |
 | Anna of Savoy Άννα Παλαιολογίνα | October 1326 – 15 June 1341 (14 years and 8 months) 1351 – 1365 (14 years, in Thessalonica) | c. 1306 – 1365 (aged approx. 58–59) Daughter ofAmadeus VI of Savoy. Becamede facto ruler after Andronikos' death, as regent of the infantJohn V. The regency was overthrown byJohn VI Kantakouzenos in February 1347, but she set up her own court atThessalonica. Died years later under the monastic name "Anastasia". | Andronikos III Palaiologos (r. 1328–1341)[ai] | [214] [222] |
| Empress regnant in Thessalonica 1351–1365[ah] | |||||
| — | Irene Asenina Εἰρήνη Καντακουζηνή (Ἀσανίνα) | 8 February 1347 – 10 December 1354 (7 years, 10 months and 2 days) | Daughter ofAndronikos Asen and granddaughter ofIrene Palaiologina, married John in 1318, proclaimed empress alongside him in October 1341. She had an active role in military affairs, even commanding the defenses of Constantinople twice. She retired to a monastery alongside her husband under the name "Eugenia", dying sometime before 1379. | John VI Kantakouzenos (r. 1347–1354) | [223] [224] |
| — | Helena Kantakouzene Ἑλένη Παλαιολογίνα (Καντακουζηνή) | 28 May 1347 – 12 August 1376 (29 years, 3 months and 14 days) May 1381 – 16 February 1391 (9 years and 9 month)[aj] | 1333/4 – August 1397 (aged 63–54) Daughter ofJohn VI andIrene, lost her title after the coup ofAndronikos IV in 1376.John V escaped his imprisonment and regained the throne on July 1379, but Helena was taken hostage and was not released until May 1381. Became a nun and changed her name to "Hypomone". | John V Palaiologos (r. 1341–1391) | [225] [226] |
| — | Irene Palaiologina Εἰρήνη Παλαιολογίνα | February 1354 – December 1357 (3 years and 10 months) | Daughter ofDemetrios Palaiologos (son of Andronikos II). Capture alongside Matthew and delivered toJohn V; probably lived in retirement with her husband. | Matthew Kantakouzenos (r. 1353–1357) | [221] |
 | Keratsa / Maria of Bulgaria Μαρία (Παλαιολογίνα) | spring 1356 – 30 May 1373 (17 years) 12 August 1376 – 28 June 1385 (8 years, 10 months and 16 days)[ak] | 1346 –c. 1400 (aged approx. 54) Daughter ofIvan Alexander of Bulgaria, betrothed on 17 August 1355. She was captured alongside Andronikos following his failed rebellion in 1373. Andronikos escaped and deposed his father in 1376, but was deposed on 1 July 1379 and forced to flee. Their imperial status was re-acknowledged in May 1381. She became a nun under the monastic name of "Mathissa". | Andronikos IV Palaiologos (r. 1376–1379)[al] | [227] |
 | Helena Dragaš Ἑλένη Παλαιολογίνα | February 1392 – 21 July 1425 (33 years and 5 months) | Daughter of magnateKonstantin Dragaš, arrived in Constantinople in December 1391, during Manuel's travels in the West. She ruled as regent between the death of her sonJohn VIII (31 Oct. 1448) and the arrival ofConstantine XI (12 March 1449). Died on 23 March 1450. | Manuel II Palaiologos (r. 1391–1425) | [228] [229] |
| — | Irene Gattilusio Εἰρήνη Παλαιολογίνα (Γατελούζου) | late 1403 – 22 September 1408 (5 years, in Thessalonica) | Daughter ofFrancesco II of Lesbos, married in July 1397. Died as a nun under the monastic name "Eugenia" on 1 January 1440. | John VII Palaiologos (r. 1390; 1403–1408)[am] | [221] [230] |
.jpg) | Anna / Irene of Moscow Εἰρήνη Παλαιολογίνα | 1414 – August 1417 (3 year) | 1403 – August 1417 (aged 14) Daughter ofVasily I of Moscow, betrothed by 1411; died young. | John VIII Palaiologos (r. 1425–1448)[an] | [214] |
| — | Sophia of Montferrat Σοφία (Παλαιολογίνα) | 19 January 1421 – August 1426 (5 years and 7 months) | Daughter ofTheodore II of Montferrat, she was disliked because of her appearance and thus lived in isolation. She divorced John and returned to Italy, where she died on 21 August 1434. | [231] | |
 | Maria of Trebizond Μαρία Κομνηνή Καντακουζηνή Παλαιολογίνα | September 1427 – 17 December 1439 (12 years and 3 months) | Daughter ofAlexios IV of Trebizond andTheodora Kantakouzene, arrived in Constantinople on 30 August 1427. She became a nun shortly before her death in 1439, adopting the monastic name "Makaria". | [232] |
More likely, the rank of Constantina was a convenient fiction that lent weight to the temporary promotion ofVetranio
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