The Roman empresses were the consorts of the Roman emperors, the rulers of the Roman Empire. The duties, power and influence of empresses varied over time 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 at times served as regents on behalf of their husbands or sons and a handful ruled as empresses regnant, governing the empire in their own right without a husband.
There was no single official term for the position of empress in Ancient Rome. Typical Latin titles included augusta (Greek: αὐγούστα, augoústa), the female form of the male imperial title augustus, and caesaraea (Greek: καισᾰ́ρειᾰ, kaisáreia), the female form of the male imperial title caesar. In Greek, empresses could be referred to as βᾰσῐ́λῐσσᾰ (basílissa), the female form of the male title basileus (denoting a monarch) and αὐτοκράτειρα (autokráteira), the Greek version of the Latin autocratix, the female form of the male title autokrator (denoting a sole ruler). In the third century, empresses could also receive various honorific titles, such as māter castrōrum "mother of the castra" and māter patriae "mother of the fatherland". Titles such as augusta were not used by all empresses, and since such titles could also be granted to other imperial women, such as mothers, sisters and mistresses of emperors, not all women who bore the title were empresses either.
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 the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern 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 the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The final empress of the east, and final Roman empress overall, was Maria of Trebizond, wife of Emperor John VIII Palaiologos. In addition to basílissa and autokráteira, many later eastern empresses bore the title δέσποινα (déspoina), the female form of the male title despotes, a common title in the later empire.
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 as Theodora, wife of Justinian I, and Euphrosyne, wife of Alexios III, held their own courts. Empresses who ruled in their own right, such as Irene and Zoë Porphyrogenita, sometimes adopted male titles such as basileus and autokrator to illustrate their power.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Livia Drusilla | 16 January 27 BC – 19 August AD 14 | 30 January 59 BC – AD 29 (aged 87)----Daughter of Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus; married Tiberius Claudius Nero in 43 BC and then Octavian on 17 January 38 BC. Known as "Julia Augusta" after his death; deified by Claudius on 17 January AD 42. The longest-reigning empress | Octavian Augustus (27 BC – AD 14) | ||
| Orestilla | AD 37 (very briefly) | Second wife of Caligula; forced to marry him immediately after her marriage to Gaius Calpurnius Piso. After the divorce they were both exiled for alleged adultery. Probably the shortest-reigning empress. | Caligula (37–41) | [1] [2] | |
| Lollia Paulina | AD 38 (a few months) | Daughter of Marcus Lollius, originally married to Publius 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 daughter Julia Drusilla | |||
| Valeria Messalina | 24 January 41 – AD 48 (7 years) | Daughter of Marcus Valerius Messalla. Executed after having an affair with Gaius Silius; suffered damnatio memoriae. | Claudius (41–54) | ||
| Agrippina the Younger Julia Agrippina | 1 January 49 – 13 October 54 | 6 November 15 – 23 March 59 (aged 43)----Daughter of Germanicus Julius Caesar and mother of Nero, named augusta in AD 50. Killed in unclear circumstances | |||
| 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 and Valeria Messalina. Exiled and later executed. | Nero (54–68) | ||
| Poppaea Sabina | AD 62 – AD 65 (3 years) | 30/32 AD – early Summer 65 (aged 33–35)----Daughter of Titus Ollius; married Rufrius Crispinus 50, then the future emperor Otho in 58. Named augusta shortly after Claudia's birth in January 63, posthumously deified. | |||
| Statilia Messalina | early 66 – 9 June 68 (2 years) | 35 – c. 70 (aged approx. 35)----Daughter of Titus Statilius Taurus (consul 44), married consul Marcus Julius Vestinus Atticus in AD 63/64. Married Nero after the forced suicide of her husband; suffered damnatio memoriae. | |||
| — | Sporus | 67 AD – 9 June 68 AD (1 year) | A young boy that Nero castrated and married, bearing a resemblance to Poppaea Sabina. Sporus was treated as Nero's wife and dressed as an empress. Committed suicide during Vitellius' reign. |
All empresses of this period received the title augusta.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pompeia Plotina | 28 January 98 – 7/11 August 117 (19 years, 6 months and 10/14 days) | 70 (?) – c. 123 (aged approx. 53)----Daughter of Lucius Pompeius, named augusta around 102, posthumously deified. She was interested in the Epicurean philosophical school of Athens. | Trajan (98–117) | |||
| Vibia Sabina | 11 August 117 – c. 137 (c. 20 years) | c. 85 – 136/137 (aged approx. 52)----Daughter of senator Lucius Vibius Sabinus, married Hadrian around 100, named augusta around 119, posthumously deified. | Hadrian (117–138) | |||
| Faustina the Elder Annia Galeria Faustina | 10 July 138 – late October 140 (2 years and 3 months) | 97 – late October 140 (aged approx. 43)----Daughter of Marcus Annius Verus the Elder, married Antoninus around 120, named augusta in 138, posthumously deified | Antoninus Pius (138–161) | |||
| Faustina the Younger Annia Galeria Faustina | 7 March 161 – 175 (14 years) | 130 – 176 (aged approx. 46)----Daughter of Antoninus Pius, betrothed to Lucius Verus on 25 February 138, married Marcus Aurelius on 13 May (?) 145. Named augusta on 1 December 147 and mater castrorum (mother of the castra) in 174, posthumously deified. | Marcus Aurelius (161–180) | |||
| Lucilla Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla | 163 (?) – 169 (6 years) | 7 March 149 – 181/182 (aged 32–33)----Daughter of Marcus Aurelius, betrothed to Lucius Verus in 161, named augusta shortly after the marriage. Exiled to Capri and executed by Commodus. | Lucius Verus (161–169) | |||
| Bruttia Crispina | 178 – 191/2 (3–4 years) | Daughter of Gaius Bruttius Praesens (consul 153), named augusta after her marriage with Commodus, sometime before 3 August 178. Exiled to Capri for alleged adultery and executed soon after; suffered damnatio memoriae. | Commodus (180–192) |
Both empresses of this period received the title augusta.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flavia Titiana | 1 January – 28 March 193 | Daughter of Titus Flavius Claudius Sulpicianus. Her fate is unknown, but she probably was spared alongside her children | Pertinax (193) | |||
| Manlia Scantilla | 28 March – 1 June 193 | Named augusta alongside her daughter Didia Clara. | Didius Julianus (193) |
All empresses of this period were named augusta on or shortly after their marriage.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julia Domna | 9 April 193 – 4 February 211 | October/December 170 – April 217 (aged approx. 47)----Daughter of Julius Bassianus, high priest of the Elagabal cult. Married Severus in 185, named augusta on 1 June 193, posthumously deified. After 211 she held the title of mater castrorum et senatus et patriae. | Septimius Severus (193–211) | |||
| Publia Fulvia Plautilla | 9/15 April 202 – 22 January 205 (1 year and 9 months) | Daughter of Gaius Fulvius Plautianus. Divorced after the execution of her father; killed by Caracalla in 221; suffered damnatio memoriae. | Caracalla (211–217) | |||
| Nonia Celsa (?) | 217 – 218 (?) (2 years?) | Probably fictional. | Macrinus (217–218) | [3] | ||
| Julia Cornelia Paula | 220 (about 1 year or less) | Of noble descent; divorced. | Elagabalus (218–222) | |||
| Julia Aquilia Severa | 220 / 221 (about 1 year or less)----late 221 – March 222 (less than a year) | A Vestal Virgin of noble descent. Divorced but later remarried to Elagablus, styled augusta, mater castrorum, senatus ac patriae | ||||
| Annia Faustina Annia Aurelia Faustina | 221 (a few months) | Daughter of Tiberius Claudius Severus Proculus and descendant of emperor Marcus Aurelius. Divorced shortly after the marriage. | ||||
| Sallustia Orbiana Gnaea Seia Herennia Sallustia Barbia Orbiana | 225 – 227 (2 years) | Daughter of Lucius Seius Herennius Sallustius; exiled to Africa | Severus Alexander (222–235) | |||
All empresses during this period received the title augusta.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caecilia Paulina | 235 (?) (very briefly?) | Nothing known; most likely dead by the time Maximinus became emperor. She was deified by her husband. | Maximinus I (235–238) | |||
| Fabia Orestilla (?) | 238 (?) (22 days?) | Probably fictional. | Gordian I (238) | |||
| Tranquillina Furia Sabinia Tranquillina | 12 May (?) 241 – February 244 (2 years and a half) | Daughter of Gaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus; unknown fate. | Gordian III (238–244) | |||
| Marcia Otacilia Severa | 244 – 249 (?) (c. 5 years) | Daughter of Otacilius Severus, who served as Roman Governor of Macedonia and Moesia; member of Otacilia gens. | Philip (244–249) | |||
| Herennia Etruscilla Herennia Cupressenia Etruscilla | 249 – 251 (2 years) | Of a noble Etrurian descent. | Decius (249–251) | |||
| Gaia Cornelia Supera | 253 (3 months) | Nothing known. | Aemilianus (253) | |||
| Cornelia Salonina | 253 – 268 (15 years) | Nothing known. | Gallienus (253–268) | |||
| Ulpia Severina | 270 – 275 (5 years) | Possibly a daughter of Ulpius Crinitus. Sometimes said to have been empress regnant between the death of Aurelian and the accession of Tacitus, but this has been refuted by modern historians. | Aurelian (270–275) | |||
| Magnia Urbica | 283 – 285 (5 years) | Nothing known. | Carinus (283–285) | |||
| — | Unknown name | 283 – 284 (2 years) | Possibly daughter of Lucius Flavius Aper. | Numerian (283–284) |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prisca | 20 November 284 – 1 May 305 | A Christian, retired after the abdication of Diocletian. Exiled to Syria by Maximinus Daza and later executed by Licinius during the Civil wars of the Tetrarchy, probably in 315. | Diocletian (284–305) | |||
| Eutropia | 1 April 286 – 1 May 305 (West) | A Syrian, possibly the widow of Afranius Hannibalianus. Still alive in 325. | Maximian (286–305) | |||
| Galeria Valeria | 1 May 305 – May 311 (6 years, East) | Daughter of Diocletian and (probably) Prisca; married Galerius after his elevation as caesar in 293, styled as augusta and mater castrorum. Exiled alongside her mother by Maximinus Daza, and later executed by Licinius | Galerius (305–311) | |||
| Flavia Maximiana Theodora | 1 May 305 – 25 July 306 (West) | Daughter of Eutropia and (probably) Afranius Hannibalianus, step-daughter of Maximian. | Constantius I (305–306) | |||
| Valeria Maximilla | 28 October 306 – 28 October 312 (6 years, Italy) | Daughter of Galerius, married Maxentius 305. | Maxentius (306–312) | |||
| — | Unknown name | 310 – 313 (?) (11 years, East) | Perhaps related to Galerius. | Maximinus II Daza (310–313) | ||
| Flavia Julia Constantia | 313 – 324 (11 years, East) | Half-sister of Constantine I. | Licinius (308–324) |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minervina | 306 – 307 (?) (1 year?) | Referred as the wife of Constantine by the Panegyrici Latini VI, but called a concubine by Aurelius Victor and Zosimus. She died or was divorced by 307. | Constantine I (306–337) | |||
| Fausta Flavia Maxima Fausta | March 307 – Summer 326 (19 years) | 290 (?) – Summer 326 (aged approx. 36)----Daughter of Maximian and Eutropia, named augusta alongside Helena after Constantine's victory over Licinius in 324. Executed for adultery with her stepson, Crispus. | ||||
| — | 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 (337–340) | ||
| — | Unknown name | 337 – 353 (16 years) | Nothing known. | Constantius II (337–361) | ||
| Eusebia | c. 353 – c. 360 (about 7 years) | Probably a daughter of Eusebius (consul 347); died sometime before 361. | ||||
| — | Faustina | 361 (a few months) | Joined Procopius (r. 365–366) during his brief rule in Constantinople. | |||
| — | Justina | late 350 – 11 August 353 (3 years) | Daughter of governor Justus; married Magnentius as a young girl. | Magnentius (350–353) | ||
| Helena | February – November 360 (9 months or less) | Daughter of Constantine I and Fausta; wrongly called "Constantina" in some sources. Died around Julian's accession as sole emperor. | Julianus II (360–363) | |||
| Charito | 27 June 363 – 17 February 364 (7 months and 21 days) | Daughter of the magister equitum Lucillianus, possibly alive as late as 380. | Jovian (363–364) | |||
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marina Severa | 364 – 370 (6 years) | Divorced and exiled after being involved in an illegal transaction. | Valentinian I (364–375) | ||
| — | Justina (second time) | 370 – 375 (c. 5 years) | Her father was executed in the aftermath of Magnentius' war. Died around 388. | ||
| — | Domnica | 28 March 364 – 9 August 378 (14 years, 4 months and 12 days) | Daughter of praetorian prefect Petronius, styled augusta. Briefly ruled Constantinople after the death of Valens in the Battle of Adrianople. | Valens (364–378) | |
| Constantia | 374 – early 383 (c. 2 years and 7 months) | early 362 – early 383 (aged 21)----Posthumous child of Constantius II and Faustina | Gratian (375–383) | ||
| — | Laeta | before 25 August 383 (a few months) | Daughter of Tisamene; supplied the city of Rome with food during the siege of Alaric I |
All empress, with the exceptions of Galla, Elen, and Thermantia, received the title augusta.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aelia Flaccilla Aelia Flavia Flaccilla | 19 January 379 – early 386 (7 years) | Of Hispanian origin; married Theodosius 376, died in 386. | Theodosius I (379–395) | |||
| — | Galla | 386 – 394 (8 years) | Daughter of Valentinian I and Justina; died during childbirth. | |||
| — | Unknown name | 25 August 383 – 28 August 388 (5 years and 3 days) | Known as "Saint Elen" in Welsh legend. | Magnus Maximus (383–388) | ||
| Eudoxia | 27 April 395 – 6 October 404 | Daughter of the Frank Bauto. An influential woman in court, she became de facto co-regent on 9 January 400, when she was proclaimed augusta following the fall of Eutropius (which was orchestrated by Eudoxia herself) | Arcadius (395–408) | |||
| Maria | 398 – 407 (c. 9 years) | Daughter of the powerful general Stilicho, died in 407. | Honorius (395–423) | |||
| Thermantia Aemilia Materna Thermantia | 408 (a few months) | Daughter of Stilicho; divorced Honorius following Stilicho's death in August 408. Died sometime before 30 July 415. | ||||
| Eudocia | 7 June 421 – 28 July 450 | 400 – 20 October 460 (aged approx. 60)----Born as "Athenais", daughter of Leontius, a philosopher. Proclaimed augusta on 2 January 423. Remembered for her numerous writings. | Theodosius II (408–450) | [4] | ||
| Galla Placidia | 8 February – 2 September 421 (7 months lacking 6 days) | 388 – 27 November 450 (aged approx. 72)----Daughter of Theodosius I and Galla. Originally married the Visigothic king Athaulf, married Constantius on 1 January 417. She later served as regent for her son Valentinian III alongside Aetius. | Constantius III (421) | |||
| Licinia Eudoxia | 29 October 437 – 31 May 455 | 422 – 493 (aged approx. 71)----Daughter of Theodosius II and Eudocia. Forced to marry Maximus after the murder of Valentinian III. Taken to Africa after the sack of Rome, returned to Constantinople in about 462. | Valentinian III (425–455) | |||
| Petronius Maximus (455) | ||||||
| Pulcheria | 25 August 450 – July 453 (2 years and 10 months) | 19 January 399 – July 453 (aged 55)----Daughter of Arcadius and Eudoxia, proclaimed augusta and regent of Theodosius II on 4 July 414. She was influential in the Councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon. Married Marcian after his election as emperor by Aspar. | Marcian (450–457) |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcia Euphemia | 12 April 467 – 11 July 472 (5 years and 3 months) | Only daughter of Marcian, who married her to Anthemius 453. Styled as augusta | Anthemius (467–472) | |||
| Placidia | April – 2 November 472 (7 months) | Daughter of Valentinian III and Licinia Eudoxia, married Olybrius in 454/454. Still alive 480 | Olybrius (472) | |||
| — | Unknown name | 24 June 474 – 28 August 475 (1 year, 2 months and 4 days) | A relative of Empress Verina | Julius Nepos (474–475/80) |
During the later 'Byzantine' period, virtually all empresses (unless noted) received the title augusta; whether it was still considered a formal title or just a courtesy title synonym to "empress" is not known.
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verina | 7 February 457 – 18 January 474 (16 years, 11 months and 11 days) | Sister of Basiliscus. Plotted against Emperor Zeno with Patricius, but was betrayed by Basiliscus. Her son-in-law Marcian rebelled in 479 and she herself rebelled alongside Leontius in 484; she died during the ensuing war, probably in 484. | Leo I (457–474) | |||
| Ariadne | 29 January 474 – late 515 (39 years and a few months) | Daughter of Leo I and Verina, married Zeno in 466/467. A very influential woman in court, she elected Anastasius as successor and married him immediately after Zeno's death. The third longest-reigning empress, after Helena Lekapene and Livia. | Zeno (474–491) | |||
| Anastasius I (491–518) | ||||||
| Zenonis | 9 January 475 – August 476 (1 year and 7 months) | Died alongside her husband after Zeno's restoration. | Basiliscus (475–476) |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euphemia | 10 July 518 – before August 527 (6 years or less) | According to Procopius's Secret History of barbarian origin, born as "Lupicina". Originally a slave and later concubine of Justin I. | Justin I (518–527) | |||
| Theodora | 1 April 527 – 28 June 548 | 497 – 28 June 528 (aged approx. 40)----Daughter of Acacius and a dancer; aunt of Euphemia, married Justinian 524. Although their union caused much scandal, she became one of Justinian's main advisers and took an active role in government. | Justinian I (527–565) | |||
| Sophia | 14 November 565 – 5 October 578 (12 years, 10 months and 21 days) | Niece of Theodora. Became de facto ruler after Justin's mental collapse in 573. Exiled after plotting against Tiberius II, but later recalled to help him choose his successor. Still alive by 601. | Justin II (565–578) | |||
| (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 as caesar 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 (578–582) | |||
| Constantina | 13 August 582 – 27 November 602 (20 years, 3 months and 14 days) | Daughter of Tiberius II and Anastasia. Married caesar Maurice on Tiberius' deathbed. Exiled after Maurice's execution, tried to plot against Phocas but was eventually killed in 605. | Maurice (582–602) | |||
| Leontia | 23 November 602 – 5 October 610 (?) (7 years, 10 months and 12 days) | Daughter of Sergius; nothing else known. | Phocas (602–610) | |||
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabia Eudokia Ευδοκία | 5 October 610 – 13 August 612 | Daughter of Rogas of Libya; died of epilepsy. | Heraclius (610–641) | |||
| Martina Μαρτίνα | 613 – 11 February 641 (about 7 years) | Daughter of Martinus and niece of Heraclius himself, which led to much controversy. Became de facto ruler after Constantine's death as the regent of the young Heraclonas. Deposed, mutilated, and exiled by Valentinus in favor of Constans II, who was also a minor at the time. | ||||
| — | Gregoria Γρηγορία | early 630 – 25 May 641 (11 years) | Daughter of Nicetas (cousin of Heraclius), married Constantine in early 630 (or late 629). Regent during the early reign of her son Constans II. Not recorded as augusta | Constantine III Heraclius (641) | ||
| — | Fausta Φαύστα | 642 – 15 July 668 (26 years) | Possibly a daughter of Valentinus, usurper in 644. | Constans II (641–668) | ||
| — | Anastasia Αναστασία | September 668 (?) – July 685 (16 years and 6 months?) | Still alive during the reign of Philippicus; not recorded as augusta | Constantine IV (668–685) | ||
| — | Eudokia Ευδοκία | 685 – 695 (10 years?) | Possibly dead by 695, not recorded as augusta | Justinian II (685–695; 705–711) |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Unknown name | 695 – 698 (?) (c. 3 years) | Nothing known | Leontius (695–698) | ||
| — | Unknown name | 698 – 705 (?) (c. 7 years) | Nothing known | Tiberius III (698–705) | ||
| — | Theodora of Khazaria Θεοδώρα | 21 August 705 – 4 November 711 (c.) | The first foreign-born empress. Sister of Busir, Khagan of Khazaria. Became Justinian's second wife during his exile in 703; crowned alongside her son Tiberius in 705. | Justinian II (685–695; 705–711) | ||
| — | Unknown name | 711 – 713 (?) (c. 2 years) | Nothing known | Philippicus (711–713) | ||
| — | Irene Ειρήνη | 713 – 715 (c. 2 years) | Little information recorded other than her name | Anastasius II (713–715) | ||
| — | Unknown name | 715 – 717 (?) (c. 2 years) | Nothing known | Theodosius III (715–717) |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Maria Μαρία | 25 March 717 – 18 June 741 (?) (24 years, 2 months and 24 days?) | Of Syrian origin, crowned on 25 December 718; nothing else known. | Leo III (717–741) | |
| — | Tzitzak Irene Εἰρήνη | 733 – 750 (17 years) | Daughter of khagan Bihar of Khazaria. Not much known except that she opposed the iconoclasm of her husband; died shortly after Leo IV's birth | Constantine V (741–775) | |
| — | Maria Μαρία | 751 – 752 (c. 1 year) | A very short marriage. | ||
| — | Eudokia Ευδοκία | 753 – 14 September 775 (?) (c. 22 years?) | Already married by November 764, crowned on 1 April 769; fate unknown. | ||
| — | Anna Άννα | June 741 – 2 November 743 (2 years and 5 months) | Daughter of Leo III, married Artabasdos in 717. Banished after her husband's failed coup; not recorded as augusta | Artabasdos (741–743) | |
| Irene of Athens Εἰρήνη | 3 November 769 – 31 October 802 (33 years lacking 3 days) | 752 – 9 August 803 (aged approx. 51)----A member of the Sarantapechos family; crowned on 17 December 769. Became de facto ruler after Leo's death as her son's regent. Ended the First iconoclasm with the Second 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 (775–780) | ||
| Empress co-regent 780–797 | |||||
| Empress regnant 797–802 | |||||
| — | Maria of Amnia Μαρία | November 788 – January 795 (6 years and 2 months) | Grand-daughter of Saint Philaretos; born 773. She was forced to become a nun. Died sometime after 824. | Constantine VI (780–797) | |
| — | Theodote Θεοδότη | September 795 – 19 August 797 (1 year and 11 months) | Cousin of Saint Theodore the Studite; originally a koubikoularia, she was crowned in August 795. Deposed by Irene. |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown name | — | Unmentioned in literary sources, most certainly dead before Nikephoros became emperor | Nikephoros I (802–811) | |||
| — | Theophano of Athens Θεοφανώ | 20 December 807 – 2 October 811 | A relative of Irene of Athens, considered as a candidate for the throne after Staurakios' defeat at the Battle of Pliska, retired as a nun alongside him; not recorded as augusta | Staurakios (811) | ||
| — | Prokopia Προκοπία | 2 October 811 – 11 July 813 | Daughter of Nikephoros I and sister of emperor Staurakios; retired as a nun | Michael I Rangabe (811–813) | ||
| Theodosia Θεοδοσία | 11 July 813 – 25 December 820 | Daughter of Arsaber, patrikios and rival emperor in 808. Become a nun after the murder of her husband; retained several of her privileges | Leo V (813–820) | |||
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Thekla Θέκλα | 25 December 820 – 824 (c. 4 years) | Daughter of the rebel Bardanes Tourkos. Died some years after Michael's accession. | Michael II (820–829) | ||
| — | Euphrosyne Εὐφροσύνη | 824 – 2 October 829 (c. 6 years) | Daughter of Constantine VI and Maria, became a nun after the fall of Irene, but was later recalled and married Michael, perhaps at the age of 50. Still alive by 836. | |||
| Theodora the Armenian Θεοδώρα | 5 June 830 – 15 March 856 | 815 – 867 (aged approx. 52)----Became de facto ruler on 20 January 842, as regent of her infant son Michael III, alongside Theoktistos. Ended the Second iconoclasm in 843. Deposed and exiled by her son after forcing him to marry Eudokia Dekapolitissa. They both reconciled shortly before Michael's death. | Theophilos (829–842) | |||
| Empress co-regent 842–856 | ||||||
| Thekla the Younger Θέκλα | 842 – 15 March 856 (14 years) | Daughter of Theophilos and Theodora, named augusta alongside her sisters. Appeared to have been associated to the imperial office with an even higher status than Michael. She later became a mistress to Basil I, but was sidelined after he married. | Co-empress 842–856 | |||
| Eudokia Dekapolitissa Ευδοκία Δεκαπολίτισσα | 855 – 24 September 867 (12 years) | Forced to marry Michael III, who was in love with Eudokia Ingerina, by Theodora and Theoktistos; fate unknown. | Michael III (842–867) |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eudokia Ingerina Ευδοκία Ιγγερίνα | 26 May 866 – 882 (16 years) | 840 – 882 (aged approx. 42)----Daughter of Inger (senator); former lover of Michael III, who married her to Basil shortly before his coronation as co-emperor; not recorded as augusta | Basil I (867–886) | |||
| Theophano Martinakia Θεοφανώ Μαρτινιακή | 883 – 893 (14 years) | 867 – 10 November 897 (aged approx. 30)----Daughter of Constantine Martinakios; died young. She is venerated as a Saint | Leo VI (886–912) | |||
| — | 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. | |||
| — | Eudokia Baïana Εὐδοκία Βαϊανή | Summer 900 – 12 April 901 (1 year) | Married Leo after the death of Zoe. Died during childbirth | |||
| Zoe Karbonopsina Ζωὴ | 9 January 906 – 11 May 912 (5 years, 4 months and 2 days) | A relative of writer Theophanes and general Himerios, originally a concubine of Leo. She was expelled after Leo's death, but returned and deposed the regency of Patriarch Nicholas in February/March 914, ruling on behalf of her son Constantine VII. She was sidelined after the rise of Romanos I in 919 and was forced to become a nun. | ||||
| — | Unknown name | 912 – 913 (?) | Nothing known | Alexander (912–913) | ||
| 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 of Romanos I and Theodora, 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 (913–959) | |||
| — | Theodora Θεοδώρα | 17 December 920 – 20 February 922 (1 year, 2 months and 3 days) | The second wife of Romanos, married 907; crowned on 6 January 921. | Romanos I Lekapenos (919–944) | ||
| Bertha Eudokia Εὐδοκία | 945 – 949 (2 years) | Daughter of Hugh of Italy, born as "Bertha". Betrothed to Romanos II in September 944, she died in 949, aged no more than 10 years old. She is not recorded as augusta | Romanos II (959–963) | |||
| Anastaso Theophano Θεοφανώ | 955/6 – 11 December 969 (13–14 years) | 940 – c. 980 (?) (aged approx. 40)----Daughter of Krateros and Maria. Married Nikephoros II on 20 September 963, shortly after his coup. Skylitzes accuses her of poisoning Romanos, but this seems to be a later invention, as Leo the Deacon states that he died of an illness. She did, however, conspire with John Tzimiskes to murder Nikephoros. She is last mentioned in 978. | Romanos II (959–963) | |||
| Nikephoros II Phokas (963–969) | ||||||
| — | Theodora Θεοδώρα | November 970 – 10 January 976 (?) (5 years and 2 months) | Daughter of Constantine VII and Helena Lekapene; born in the late 930s. Almost nothing known. | John I Tzimiskes (969–976) | ||
| — | Helena Ελένη | 976 – 989 (?) | Daughter of Alypius; not recorded as augusta. | Constantine VIII (1025–1028) | ||
| Zoe Porphyrogenita Ζωὴ | 12 November 1028 – 1050 (22 years) | c. 978 – 1050 (aged approx. 72)----Daughter of Constantine VIII, probably ordered the murder of Romanos III. Ruled in her own right alongside Theodora from Michael V's deposition until her marriage to Constantine IX (21 April–11 June 1042). After this she had little involvement in politics, later dying of natural causes. | Romanos III Argyros (1028–34) | |||
| Michael IV (1034–1041) | ||||||
| Empress regnant 1042 | ||||||
| Constantine IX Monomachos (1042–1055) | ||||||
| Theodora Porphyrogenita Θεοδώρα | 21 April 1042 – 31 August 1056 | c. 980 – 31 August 1056 (aged approx. 76)----Sister of Zoe, proclaimed co-empress during the revolt that deposed Michael V in 1042. Sidelined after Zoë's marriage to Constantine IX, returned as empress regnant after the latter's death on 11 January 1055. Died of natural causes shortly after appointing Michael VI as her successor. | Empress regnant 1042 | |||
| 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 of Ivan Vladislav of Bulgaria. Retired to a monastery with the monastic name "Xene" | Isaac I Komnenos (1057–1059) | ||
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eudokia Makrembolitissa Ευδοκία Μακρεμβολίτισσα | 23 November 1059 – November 1071 (13 years) | Daughter of John Makrembolites and niece of Patriarch Michael I, born 1030, married Constantine 1049; de facto ruler in 1067 on behalf of her son Michael VII between Constantine's death (23 November) and her marriage to Romanos (1 January). She resumed her regency in October 1071, after Romanos' fall, but was expelled and forced to become a nun. She was later recalled by Nikephoros III and returned to the palace in 1078. | Constantine X Doukas (1059–1067) | ||
| Empress co-regent 1067 | |||||
| Romanos IV Diogenes (1068–1071) | |||||
| Maria of Alania Μαρία | 1066/1071 – 1 April 1081 (10–15 years) | 1052 / 1056 – 1118 (aged 62–66)----Daughter of Bagrat 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 (1071–1078) | ||
| Nikephoros III Botaneiates (1078–1081) |
| Portrait | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irene Doukaina Ειρήνη Δούκαινα | 1 April 1081 – 15 August 1118 | 1066 – 19 February 1138 (aged approx. 72)----Daughter of Andronikos Doukas (cousin of Michael VII). Married Alexios 1078, crowned on 11 April 1081. Forced to retire to a monastery after the failed plot of her daughter Anna Komnene and her son-in-law Nikephoros Bryennios. | Alexios I Komnenos (1081–1118) | ||
| Irene of Hungary Ειρήνη | 1104 – 13 August 1134 (30 years) | Daughter of Ladislaus I of Hungary, born as "Piroska". She is venerated as a Saint. | John II Komnenos (1118–1143) | ||
| — | Bertha of Sulzbach Ειρήνη (Irene) | 1146 – 1159 / 1160 (13–14 years) | Daughter of Berengar II of Sulzbach and sister-in-law of emperor Conrad III of Germany. | Manuel I Komnenos (1143–1180) | |
| Maria of Antioch Μαρία | 25 December 1161 – 24 September 1180 (18 years and 9 months) | 1140s – late 1182 (aged approx. 35–40)----Daughter of Raymond of Poitiers. Became a nun after Manuel's death under the name "Xene", but acted as de facto ruler as the regent of Alexios II. She was executed after the coup of Andronikos I. | |||
| Agnes of France Άννα (Anna) | 2 March 1180 – 12 September 1185 | Daughter of Louis VII of France, born in 1171. Forced to marry Andronikos I, who was over 60, shortly after the murder of Alexios II in September 1183. She became a subject of the Latin Empire after the sack of Constantinople in 1204 and married Theodore Branas. Not recorded as augusta. | Alexios II Komnenos (1180–1183) | ||
| Andronikos I Komnenos (1183–1185) |
| Picture | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Margaret of Hungary Μαρία | early 1186 – 8 April 1195 (9 years)----19 July 1203 – 27 Jan. 1204 (6 months and 8 days) | Daughter of Béla III of Hungary; born in 1175. Married Crusader Boniface following the Sack of Constantinople, becoming queen of the Kingdom of Thessalonica. Not recorded as augusta | Isaac II Angelos (1185–1195; 1203–1204) | ||
| Euphrosyne Doukaina Kamatera Ευφροσύνη Δούκαινα Καματηρά | 8 April 1195 – 18 July 1203 (8 years, 3 months and 10 days) | Daughter of Andronikos Kamateros and relative of caesar John Doukas and the Komnenoi. 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 (1195–1203) | ----[5] |
Note: Roman rule in Constantinople was interrupted with the capture of the city by the Fourth Crusade in 1204. Though the crusaders created a new line of Latin emperors in the city, modern historians recognize the line of emperors of the Laskaris dynasty, reigning in Empire of Nicaea, as the legitimate Roman emperors during this period as the Nicene Empire eventually retook Constantinople. For the other lines of empresses, see List of empresses of the Byzantine successor states.Irene Laskarina is called augusta on her seal, but it is not known if the honorific was used by other empresses too.
| Picture | Name | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Anna Komnene Angelina Άννα Κομνηνή Αγγελίνα | 1205 – 1212 (7 years or less) | Daughter of Alexios III and Euphrosyne; died a few years after the marriage. | Theodore I Laskaris (1205–1221) | ||
| — | Philippa of Armenia Φιλίππα | 1214 – 1216 (2 years) | Cousin of Leo I of Armenia. A troubled marriage that ended in divorce and with Theodore even disinheriting his son. | |||
| — | Maria of Courtenay Μαρία | 1219 – November 1221 (2 years) | Daughter of Latin emperor Peter. Became regent of her younger brother Baldwin II as Latin empress in 1228, but died shortly after. | |||
| Irene Laskarina Ειρήνη Κομνηνή (Λασκαρίνα) | December 1221 – Summer 1240 (19 years) | Daughter of Theodore I and Anna Komnene Angelina. She married Andronikos Palaiologos in February 1216, but he died shortly after. Irene should have married John very soon after, for Theodore II was born in 1221. She had an accident after his birth and retired under the monastic name "Eugenia". | John III Vatatzes (1221–1254) | |||
| — | Anna of Hohenstaufen Άννα | 1240 – 3 November 1254 (approx. 14 years) | Daughter of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, born as "Constance". Married John sometime before May 1241; died in the Kingdom of Aragon (Spain) in 1307. | |||
| — | Elena Asenina of Bulgaria Ἑλένη | Spring 1235 – 1252 (17 years) | Daughter of Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria, born 1224. Theodore was most probably proclaimed emperor during the marriage. | Theodore II Laskaris (1254–1258) |
The honorific augusta appears on the seals of Theodora, Yolande-Irene, Rita-Maria and Anna of Savoy, as well as on a miniature depicting Helena 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 | Tenure | Life details & notes | Emperor (spouse) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theodora Palaiologina Θεοδώρα Δούκαινα Κομνηνή Παλαιολογίνα | 1 January 1259 – 11 December 1282 (10 years and 10 days) | Granddaughter of Isaac Doukas Vatatzes, brother of Nicaean emperor John III. Married Michael in 1253/4, crowned again in Constantinople after its reconquest in 1261. Died on 4 March 1303 | Michael VIII Palaiologos (1259–1282) | ||
| — | Anna of Hungary Άννα Παλαιολογίνα | 8 November 1272 –1281 (9 years) | 1260 – 1281 (aged approx. 21)----Daughter of Stephen V of Hungary, also a great-granddaughter of Theodore I Laskaris through her mother. | Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282–1328) | |
| Yolande / Irene of Montferrat Ειρήνη Κομνηνή Δούκαινα Παλαιολογίνα | 1284 / 1289 – 1317 (28–33 years) | 1272/1273 – 1317 (aged 44 or 45)----Daughter of William VII of Montferrat and granddaughter of Alfonso X of Castile. Proposed the idea of splitting the realm between her sons, but this was rejected by Andronikos and she retired to Thessalonica. | |||
| Rita / Maria of Armenia Μαρία Δούκαινα Παλαιολογίνα | 1296 – 12 October 1320 (24 years) | Daughter of Leo II of Armenia. Became a nun and died on June/July 1333 under the monastic name "Xene". | Michael IX Palaiologos (1294–1320) | ||
| — | 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 of Henry I of Brunswick-Grubenhagen. Died of an illness on her way back to Constantinople. | Andronikos III Palaiologos (1328–1341) | |
| Anna of Savoy Άννα Παλαιολογίνα | October 1326 – 15 June 1341 (14 years and 8 months) | c. 1306 – 1365/6 (aged approx. 58–59)----Daughter of Amadeus VI of Savoy. Became de facto ruler after Andronikos' death, as regent of the infant John V. The regency was overthrown by John VI in 1347, but she was allowed to have her own court at Thessalonica. Died years later under the monastic name "Anastasia". | |||
| — | Irene Asanina Εἰρήνη Καντακουζηνή (Ἀσανίνα) | 8 February 1347 – 10 December 1354 (7 years, 10 months and 2 days) | Daughter of Andronikos Asen and granddaughter of Irene 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 (1347–1354) | |
| — | Helena Kantakouzene Ἑλένη Παλαιολογίνα (Καντακουζηνή) | 28 May 1347 – 12 August 1376 ----May 1381 – 16 February 1391 (9 years and 9 month) | 1333/4 – August 1397 (aged 63–54)----Daughter of John VI and Irene, lost her title after the coup of Andronikos 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 (1341–1391) | |
| — | Irene Palaiologina Εἰρήνη Παλαιολογίνα | February 1354 – December 1357 (3 years and 10 months) | Daughter of Demetrios Palaiologos (son of Andronikos II). Capture alongside Matthew and delivered to John V; fate unknown, probably lived in retirement with her husband. | Matthew Kantakouzenos (1353–1357) | |
| Keratsa / Maria of Bulgaria Μαρία (Παλαιολογίνα) | spring 1356 – 30 May 1373 (17 years)----12 August 1376 – 28 June 1385 | 1346 – 1400 (aged approx. 54)----Daughter of Ivan 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 (1376–1379) | ||
| Helena Dragaš Ἑλένη Παλαιολογίνα | February 1392 – 21 July 1425 (33 years and 5 months) | Daughter of magnate Konstantin Dragaš, arrived in Constantinople in December 1391, during Manuel's travels in the West. She ruled as regent between the death of her son John VIII (31 Oct. 1448) and the arrival of Constantine XI (12 March 1449). Died on 23 March 1450. | Manuel II Palaiologos (1391–1425) | ||
| — | Irene Gattilusio Εἰρήνη Παλαιολογίνα | late 1403 – 22 September 1408 (5 years, in Thessalonica) | Daughter of Francesco II of Lesbos, married in July 1397. Died as a nun under the monastic name "Eugenia" on 1 January 1440. | John VII Palaiologos (1390; 1403–1408) | |
| Anna of Moscow Εἰρήνη Παλαιολογίνα | 1414 – August 1417 (3 year) | 1403 – August 1417 (aged 14)----Daughter of Vasily I of Moscow, betrothed by 1411; died young. | John VIII Palaiologos (1425–1448) | ||
| — | Sophia of Montferrat Σοφία (Παλαιολογίνα) | 19 January 1421 – August 1426 (5 years and 7 months) | Daughter of Theodore 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. | ||
| Maria of Trebizond Μαρία Κομνηνή Καντακουζηνή Παλαιολογίνα | September 1427 – 17 December 1439 (12 years and 3 months) | Daughter of Alexios IV of Trebizond and Theodora Kantakouzene, arrived in Constantinople on 30 August 1427. She became a nun shortly before her death in 1439, adopting the monastic name "Makaria". |