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Empress Irene

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Monarch

The Resume

    (circa 752-August 3, 803)
    Born in Athens, Greece
    Also called Irene of Athens
    Married to Emperor Leo IV of the Byzantine Empire
    Mother, regent, and later co-ruler with her son, Constantine VI
    Sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire (797-802)

Why she might be annoying:

    She made few public appearances.
    She was extremely domineering.
    She fought with her son for control of the empire.
    She had her son blinded and thrown in jail, where he died of his injuries.
    She was deposed and exiled five years later.
    There is an erroneous account that she was canonized by the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Why she might not be annoying:

    She was the first woman to rule the Byzantine empire in her own right.
    She considered a marriage to Charlemagne.
    She restored the use of icons in the Eastern Orthodox Church (which is where the canonization rumor comes from).

Credit: truffle


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 187 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 30 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 18 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 103 Votes: 59.22% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 21 Votes: 61.90% Annoying