Theodora (wife of Romanos I) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Theodora |
|
|---|---|
| Caesarissa | |
| Empress of the Byzantine Empire | |
| Tenure | 920–922 |
| Died | 20 February 922 |
| Spouse | Romanos I Lekapenos |
| Issue Detail |
Christopher Lekapenos Stephen Lekapenos Constantine Lekapenos Theophylaktos Lekapenos Helena Lekapene Agatha Lekapene |
Theodora (Medieval Greek: Θεοδώρα; died 20 February 922) was a woman from a simple Greek family. She became the Empress of the Byzantine Empire when she married Romanos I Lekapenos, who became the Emperor.
Theodora: From Humble Beginnings to Empress
Not much is known about Theodora's early life, except that she came from a family of farmers in Greece. Her life changed when her daughter, Helena Lekapene, married the young Emperor Constantine VII in 919.
Becoming an Empress
After her daughter's marriage, Theodora's husband, Romanos, became very powerful. He was already a leader in the navy. He soon became the real ruler of the empire, acting as a regent (someone who rules for a young or absent king or queen).
In September 920, Romanos was given the special title of kaisar. Then, in December 920, he was crowned as a co-emperor, meaning he shared the rule with Constantine VII but was the main leader.
In January 921, Theodora herself was crowned as Augusta, which was the title for an empress. She held this important position for about a year until she passed away in February 922.
Her Family and Children
Theodora is known as the mother of all of Romanos I's official children. She played a key role in the powerful Lekapenos family.
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Her children with Emperor Romanos I were:
- Christopher Lekapenos: He was a co-emperor from 921 to 931. His daughter, Maria (who was renamed Irene), married Peter I of Bulgaria.
- Stephen Lekapenos: He also became a co-emperor, ruling from 924 to 945.
- Constantine Lekapenos: Another co-emperor, he ruled alongside his brother Stephen from 924 to 945.
- Theophylaktos Lekapenos: He became the leader of the church in Constantinople, known as the patriarch, from 933 to 956.
- Helena Lekapene: She married Emperor Constantine VII, making her the empress.
- Agatha Lekapene: She married a man named Romanos Argyros. Their grandson later became Emperor Romanos III Argyros.
