Eirene (Empress)

Eirene, also known as Irene of Athens, was a Byzantine empress who ruled in the late 8th century. She initially served as regent for her son, Constantine VI, but later took power for herself, becoming the first woman to rule the Byzantine Empire in her own right. Eirene is notable for her efforts to restore the use of icons in churches, following a period of iconoclasm, which opposed the veneration of religious images. Her reign was marked by political intrigue, military challenges, and her eventual overthrow. Eirene is remembered both for her leadership and as a significant figure in Byzantine history.