Irene of Athens, Byzantine Empress

Queens of the World Series: Irene of Athens ruled as regent for her son, Easter Roman Emperor, Constantine VI. But when he rose up against her and threatened her religious conviction, she had his eyes gouged out. Thus she became the first Roman Empress to rule in her own right. But because the Pope did not believe a woman could hold the title, he awarded it to Charlemagne, thus creating two rival Roman empires, one in the east and the other in the West.

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