Irene

Empress of Byzantium
( 752-803 C.E.)

Widow of the Emperor Leo IV, she pursued a sectarian religious policy at the expense of political matters. After decades of truly "Byzantine" intrigue, she ordered her own son blinded so that she could ascend the throne herself (the succession being barred to the disabled). This act provided the pretext for the crowning of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor. Ambitious and devious, but tenacious, Irene was deposed in 803 and died in exile. 

u11. Which anti-colonial ruler rode into battle with her horse's reins in her teeth, a pistol in one hand, a cutlass in the other, and covered with diamonds?

Church of Saint Irene
Constantinople

Byzantine Mosaic

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Last modified: September 22, 2001