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Maria of Amnia

Maria of Amnia (Greek: Μαρία, 770 – after 823) was a Byzantine empress, the first wife of Constantine VI.[1] She was a granddaughter of Saint Philaretos,[2] a magnate from the Armeniakon Theme known for his charitable activities, a relation mentioned in his hagiography. The name of her father is unknown and her mother has been identified as Hypatia by Christian Settipani. Maria was born in Amnia, Paphlagonia.

Maria of Amnia
Empress of the Byzantine Empire
Tenure788–795
Bornc. 770
Amnia, Paphlagonia
(now Central Anatolia, Anatolia, Turkey)
Diedafter 823
SpouseConstantine VI
Issue
Detail
Euphrosyne, Byzantine Empress
Fatherson of Saint Philaretos
MotherHypatia

Empress edit

In 788, Maria was one of thirteen candidates in the earliest recorded bride-show. The bride-show had been ordered by the Empress-regent Irene in search of a suitable bride for her son Constantine VI. Constantine was previously betrothed to Rotrude, daughter of Charlemagne and Hildegard, but Irene had called off the engagement.

Maria was chosen primarily by Irene. Constantine and Staurakios, a eunuch who served as the logothetes tou dromou, were also reportedly involved in the presentation of the candidates. However whether they influenced the choice is unstated.

The marriage took place in November, 788. The marriage was recorded in the chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor. The marriage lasted for about six years and resulted in two daughters. Theophanes records that Constantine had turned against his first wife at some point. Theophanes attributed the deterioration of the marriage to the machinations of Irene. The lack of a male heir following six years of marriage could also be one of the reasons.

In 794, Constantine had found a mistress in the person of Theodote, a cubicularius (lady-in-waiting) of his mother. In January, 795, Constantine divorced Maria. Maria and both of their daughters were sent to a convent in the island of Prinkipo. In September, 795, Constantine and Theodote were wed.

The initial divorce had met with disapproval in circles of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The remarriage while Maria was still alive was seen as an attempt for legalization of adultery. The legality of the second marriage sparked a religious controversy, the so-called "Moechian Controversy" (from the Greek moichos, "adulterer"). However Maria is not recorded as involved with any of the conflicts of the time.

She remained a nun for the rest of her life. She is last mentioned c. 823. Her daughter Euphrosyne was taken from their convent to marry Michael II (reigned 820 – 829). She protested the decision to no effect. Her protestation is mentioned in the correspondence of Theodore the Studite. The year of her death is not known.

Children edit

Maria and Constantine VI had two daughters:

  • Euphrosyne (c. 790 – after 836). Married Michael II.
  • Irene. Became a nun in 795. Last mentioned alive in 796.

References edit

  1. ^ Warren T. Treadgold (1988). The Byzantine Revival, 780-842. Stanford University Press.
  2. ^ Leslie Brubaker, Julia M. H. Smith (2004). Gender in the Early Medieval World: East and West, 300-900. The bride show described in this saint's life is the one which resulted in the marriage of Philaretos' granddaughter, Maria of Amnia, to Constantine VI, the son of the empress Eirene, in 788.

External links edit

  • Article about Irene by Lynda Garland, contains section on the marriage of Maria
Royal titles
Preceded by Byzantine Empress consort
788–795
Succeeded by

maria, amnia, greek, Μαρία, after, byzantine, empress, first, wife, constantine, granddaughter, saint, philaretos, magnate, from, armeniakon, theme, known, charitable, activities, relation, mentioned, hagiography, name, father, unknown, mother, been, identifie. Maria of Amnia Greek Maria 770 after 823 was a Byzantine empress the first wife of Constantine VI 1 She was a granddaughter of Saint Philaretos 2 a magnate from the Armeniakon Theme known for his charitable activities a relation mentioned in his hagiography The name of her father is unknown and her mother has been identified as Hypatia by Christian Settipani Maria was born in Amnia Paphlagonia Maria of AmniaEmpress of the Byzantine EmpireTenure788 795Bornc 770Amnia Paphlagonia now Central Anatolia Anatolia Turkey Diedafter 823SpouseConstantine VIIssueDetailEuphrosyne Byzantine EmpressFatherson of Saint PhilaretosMotherHypatia Contents 1 Empress 2 Children 3 References 4 External linksEmpress editIn 788 Maria was one of thirteen candidates in the earliest recorded bride show The bride show had been ordered by the Empress regent Irene in search of a suitable bride for her son Constantine VI Constantine was previously betrothed to Rotrude daughter of Charlemagne and Hildegard but Irene had called off the engagement Maria was chosen primarily by Irene Constantine and Staurakios a eunuch who served as the logothetes tou dromou were also reportedly involved in the presentation of the candidates However whether they influenced the choice is unstated The marriage took place in November 788 The marriage was recorded in the chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor The marriage lasted for about six years and resulted in two daughters Theophanes records that Constantine had turned against his first wife at some point Theophanes attributed the deterioration of the marriage to the machinations of Irene The lack of a male heir following six years of marriage could also be one of the reasons In 794 Constantine had found a mistress in the person of Theodote a cubicularius lady in waiting of his mother In January 795 Constantine divorced Maria Maria and both of their daughters were sent to a convent in the island of Prinkipo In September 795 Constantine and Theodote were wed The initial divorce had met with disapproval in circles of the Eastern Orthodox Church The remarriage while Maria was still alive was seen as an attempt for legalization of adultery The legality of the second marriage sparked a religious controversy the so called Moechian Controversy from the Greek moichos adulterer However Maria is not recorded as involved with any of the conflicts of the time She remained a nun for the rest of her life She is last mentioned c 823 Her daughter Euphrosyne was taken from their convent to marry Michael II reigned 820 829 She protested the decision to no effect Her protestation is mentioned in the correspondence of Theodore the Studite The year of her death is not known Children editMaria and Constantine VI had two daughters Euphrosyne c 790 after 836 Married Michael II Irene Became a nun in 795 Last mentioned alive in 796 References edit Warren T Treadgold 1988 The Byzantine Revival 780 842 Stanford University Press Leslie Brubaker Julia M H Smith 2004 Gender in the Early Medieval World East and West 300 900 The bride show described in this saint s life is the one which resulted in the marriage of Philaretos granddaughter Maria of Amnia to Constantine VI the son of the empress Eirene in 788 External links editArticle about Irene by Lynda Garland contains section on the marriage of Maria Royal titles Preceded byIrene of Athens Byzantine Empress consort788 795 Succeeded byTheodote Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Maria of Amnia amp oldid 1208389509, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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