Irene of Athens

After the death of Leo IV, Irene became regent for her 10-year-old son Constantine VI. She ruled the Byzantine Empire effectively, reversing iconoclast policies and restoring icon veneration at the Second Council of Nicaea in 787.

Irene convened the Second Council of Nicaea, which condemned iconoclasm and restored the veneration of icons in the Byzantine Church. This council is considered the Seventh Ecumenical Council by the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Irene ordered the blinding of her son Constantine VI, who had attempted to assert his own rule. He was imprisoned and died shortly after. This act allowed Irene to become sole ruler, but it was widely condemned as tyrannical and unnatural.

After blinding her son, Irene ruled as sole empress, the first woman to do so in Byzantine history. She used the title 'basileus' (emperor) rather than 'basilissa' (empress), asserting her authority as a male ruler.

Irene was overthrown by a conspiracy led by Nikephoros, the logothete (finance minister). She was exiled to the island of Lesbos and forced to support herself by spinning wool. She died the following year.