Woman in history-IRENE OF ATHENS

So because I'm interested in history, I decided to present woman which many may not know. I first heard about her in turkish historical drama series ,,Muhteşem Yüzyıl Kösem" (in english-,,Magnificent Century: Kösem")(about Kösem sultan(?-1651).

What women in European history do we know? I believe, mostly know Anne Boleyn, Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I, Isabella I of Castile and queen Victoria. But do you know about Irene from Athens?

Irene of Athens(750 or 755-803) was the first woman in all history of Europe who ruled completely alone.

In 768 she married with Byzantine(also known as Eastern Roman Empire) ruler Constantine V son Leo IV when he was prince. On January 771 she gave birth to son, the future Constantine VI(771-805). Leo IV became emperor in 775 after his father's death. But he himself died in 780 when his and Irene son was about 9 years old.

Irene became regent of the son(as regent she ruled 780-790). As soon as she became regent, the brother of her deceased husband was preparing a conspiracy which she managed to subvert. In governing the country Irene reduced taxes for the poor people, free treatment for the poor, endeavored to maintain a peaceful relationship with other countries (even with muslim countries)

Irene's son Constantine VI start to rule independently in 790. But in 797 many residents and nobles were dissatisfied with his rule. So his mother Irene of Athens commanded to overthrow him from the throne and to dazzle him. After that Irene of Athens became the only ruler of Byzantine(Eastern Roman Empire) by the title of Empress Regnant of Byzantine Empire(19 April 797 – 31 October 802).

In 802 there was a conspiracy against her. She was overthrown from the throne and exiled to Lesbos island where she died in August, 803