List of Byzantine Emperors

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This is a list of the Emperors of the late Eastern Roman Empire, called Byzantine by modern historians. This list does not include numerous co-emperors who never attained sole or senior status as rulers.

This list begins with Constantine I the Great, the first Christian emperor reigning from Constantinople. Diocletian before him had ruled from Nicomedia and replaced the republican trappings of the office with a straightforward autocracy. All Byzantine Emperors regarded themselves as Roman Emperors.[1]

The Emperor Heraclius (610-641) replaced Latin with Greek as the language of the army and began the administrative restructuring of the Empire into themata. Although he and his successors regarded themselves as Roman emperors, the reign of Heraclius marks a watershed or decisive break that marks the beginning of the Greek phase of the eastern Roman Empire. After 800 AD the claim to the Roman Empire was shared with the Holy Roman Empire.

The title of all Emperors listed preceding Heraclius was officially Augustus, although various other titles such as Dominus were used as well. For official purposes, their names were preceded by Imperator Caesar and followed by Augustus. Following Heraclius, the title commonly became the Greek Basileus (Gr. Βασιλεύς), which had formerly meant generally "king", "sovereign" but now was used in place of Imperator. Kings were now titled by the neologism Regas (Gr. Ρήγας, from the Lat. "Rex") or by another generic term Archon (Gr. Άρχων, "ruler"). Autokrator (Gr. Αυτοκράτωρ) was also frequently used, along with a plethora of more hyperbolic titles including Kosmokrator (Gr.Κοσμοκράτωρ) ("Master of the World") and "Chronokrator" (Gr. Χρονοκράτωρ) ("Master of Time"). The emperors of the 15th century alone were often self-styled as Basileus ton Hellinon, "Emperor of the Greeks," though they still considered themselves "Roman" Emperors.

Contents

[edit] Constantinian dynasty (306-363)

Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes
Image:Constantine Musei Capitolini.jpg Constantine I "the Great"
(Gaius Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus)		son of the Augustus Constantius Chlorus 27 February c.280 25 July 306
Proclaimed "Augustus" upon the death of Constantius Chlorus 		22 May 337 He declared himself "Augustus" in Eboracum, Britannia (Modern York), upon the death of Constantius Chlorus, and, after a period of prolonged civil war, became sole Emperor. He famously converted to Christianity, and began imperial favour of that religion. He founded Constantinople as a capital of the Empire. Divided the Empire between his three sons upon his death. Later canonised.
Image:ConstantiusII.JPG Constantius II
(Flavius Iulius Constantius)		 second son of Constantine I 7 August 317 22 May 337
Inherited Eastern third of Roman Empire upon his father's death 		5 October 361
died of illness on campaign 		By inheritance, he succeeded to the Eastern third; after his two brothers died, he became sole Emperor. He was responsible for the deaths of numerous family members in the wake of Constantine's death, and persecuted those remaining. His last cousin, Julian, rebelled against him in the last years of his life.
Image:JulianusII-antioch(360-363)-CNG.jpg Julian "the Apostate"
(Flavius Claudius Iulianus) 		grandson of Constantius Chlorus, cousin of Constantius II May 332 5 October 361
Proclaimed by his army in Gaul, became legitimate Emperor upon the death of Constantius 		28 June 363
Mortally wounded in battle 		The son of Constantine I's half brother, Julius Constantius, he was early orphaned by the death of his mother of childbed fever, and the murder of his father by the sons of Constantine I. Persecuted by Constantius II, he eventually rebelled, and seized control of parts of the empire. He succeeded to the entire empire after Constantius' fortuitous death of illness. He died on campaign against the Sassanids. He is more famous, however, for his rejection of Christianity, and his doomed attempts to rejuvenate Paganism.
Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes

[edit] Non-dynastic (363-364)

Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes
Image:Jovian1.jpg Jovian
( Flavius Claudius Iovianus )		Guards' Captain amongst Julian's Eastern forces c.332 28 June 363
Elected by the army upon Julian's death 		17 February 364
Died on journey back to Constantinople 		A non-entity, chosen by the army to succeed following Julian's intestate death. His only deeds worth mentioning were to secure the escape of the Roman army from Persia by signing a peace treaty; this treaty signed away Rome's furthest Eastern provinces to the Persians. He died before reaching his capital.
Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes

[edit] Valentinian-Theodosian dynasty (364-457)

Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes
Image:ValentinianI.jpg Valentinian I
(Flavius Valentinianus)		Officer under Julian and Jovian 321 26 February 364
Elected by the army upon Jovian's death 		17 November 375
Died of cerebral haemorrhage 		Shortly after his accession, he chose his brother Valens to rule alongside him. The pair then partitioned the Empire between themselves. Valentinian thereafter ruled in the West only. During his reign, the Empire was repeatedly ravaged by barbarians. His anger at the invasion of the Quadi caused his fatal haemorrhage.
Image:Valens1.jpg Valens
( Flavius Iulius Valens )		 Minor soldier of the Roman army, brother of Valentinian I 328 28 March 364
Appointed by his brother 		9 August 378
Killed at the Battle of Adrianople 		Called "The Last True Roman", he was chosen to rule the East by his brother, Valentinian I. His reign was ineffective, and at one point he came close to abdication and suicide following the proclamation of an imperial pretender, Procopius. He was killed in the disastrous Battle of Adrianople, in which most of his armies were destroyed by Gothic invaders.
Image:158 Gratianus.jpg Gratian
( Flavius Gratianus )		Son of Valentinian I, nephew of Valens 18 April/23 May 359 9 August 378
Inherited rule of the East upon the death of Valens 		19 January 379
Appointed Theodosius I as Emperor of the East		 25 August 383
Assassinated during the rebellion of Magnus Maximus 		He inherited the rule of the East upon Valens' death. He appointed one of his generals, Theodosius, as Emperor in the East in the following year. He was also Emperor in the West (with Valentinian II) 375-383
Image:Theod1.jpg Theodosius I
( Flavius Theodosius )		 Aristocrat and military leader, brother-in-law of Gratian 11 January 347 19 January 379
Appointed by Gratian 		17 January 395
old age 		He was appointed Emperor in the East by Gratian, who needed a loyal ally to deal with the effects of Adrianople. He restored the Eastern armies by taking many barbarian mercenaries into Roman service. After the deaths of Gratian and Valentinian II, he took control of the Western half of the Empire. He was the last Emperor to de facto rule the entire Empire. Made Christianity the official religion of the Empire.
Image:Arcadius.jpg Arcadius
( Flavius Arcadius )		 Son of Theodosius I 377/378 17 January 395
Upon the death of Theodosius I 		1 May 408 A weak Emperor, dominated by his wife and ministers. Brother of the Western Emperor Honorius
Image:Theodosius ii.jpg Theodosius II
( Flavius Theodosius )		 Son of Arcadius 10 April 401 1 May 408
Upon the death of Arcadius 		28 July 450
Riding accident 		He was heavily influenced by his sister, Pulcheria, who declared herself "Augusta" in 414. During his reign, her Christian views led to persecution of non-Christians in the Empire. However, the period also saw the construction of Constantinople's near-impregnable Theodosian Walls, and the publication of the Codex Theodosianus. He died in 450, leaving his sister as his heir.
Image:Pulcheria.JPG Pulcheria
( Aelia Pulcheria )		 Daughter of Arcadius, sister of Theodosius II 19 January 399 28 July 450
Upon the death of Theodosius II 		July 453 After the death of her father, Arcadius, she became politically prominent. She was responsible for appointing the barbarian Aspar as Eastern Roman "Master of Soldiers", a position he would use to his own ends. Strongly Christian, she encouraged her brother to rule according to Christian values. She became a nun after being forced from the court in 441, but returned after her brother's death. She then married Marcian, and the pair ruled together until 453. She was later canonised by the Eastern Orthodox Church
Image:Marcian.JPG Marcian
( Flavius Marcianus )		 Soldier, politician, husband of Pulcheria 396 450
Upon his marriage to Pulcheria 		January 457
Gangrene contracted on a journey 		He was elevated to the imperial throne by his marriage to Pulcheria. He was supported by Aspar. Under his rule, the Eastern Empire recovered from the political and military vicissitudes of the past 3/4 of a century, and faced down Attila the Hun. The West, however, he left to fend for itself. He was canonised after his death by the Eastern Orthodox Church
Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes

[edit] Leonid dynasty (457-518)

Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes
Image:Leo I Louvre Ma1012.jpg Leo I "the Thracian"
(Flavius Valerius Leo )		 Soldier 401 7 February 457
Chosen by Aspar, commander-in-chief of the army 		18 January 474
Died of dysentery 		He was chosen by Aspar, who attempted to rule through him; Leo resisted and broke Aspar's power. In order to do this, he was forced to ally with the Isaurians, whose leader Tarasicodissa married Leo's daughter Ariadne and took the Roman name "Zeno". He raised Theodoric the Great in his court. He was the first Emperor to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople.
Image:Leo (474)-coin.jpg Leo II
( Flavius Leo )		 Grandson of Leo I 467 18 January 474
Succeeded his grandfather Leo I 		17 November 474
Died of an unknown disease, possibly poisoned 		He was the son of Ariadne (daughter of Leo I) by Zeno. He inherited the throne upon his grandfather's death. It was rumoured that his mother had poisoned him to allow Zeno to take the throne.
Image:Zeno.PNG Zeno
( Flavius Zeno )
(Born Tarasicodissa) 		Roman general of Isaurian origins; son-in-law of Leo I, father of Leo II c.425 Co-emperor: 9 February 474
Appointed by his son Leo II
Sole Emperor: 17 November 474
Succeeded upon the death of Leo II 		9 January 475
Deposed by Basiliscus, brother-in-law of Leo I 		9 April 491 An Isaurian chieftain, he gave his support to Leo I to overthrow Aspar. In exchange, he was allowed to marry Leo I's daughter Ariadne, by whom he had a son, Leo II. After the latter's death, he took the throne. Unpopular due to his barbarian origins, he was deposed by his mother-in-law, Verina, and her brother Basiliscus.
Image:Basiliscus.JPG Basiliscus
( Flavius Basiliscus ) 		Army General; brother-in-law of Leo I 9 January 475
Seized power from Zeno 		August 476
Deposed by Zeno 		476/477 The brother of Leo I's wife, Verina. He was favoured by Leo I, who made him the leader of an expedition against Carthage. The expedition failed, however, Initially popular, Basiliscus alienated the Constantinopolitan population, and his own followers, partly through misfortunes of chance, partly through callous treatment of his allies and his support for the Monophysite Heresy. He was betrayed by his allies, and defeated when Zeno returned to the city with an army. He was then starved to death.
Image:Zeno.PNG Zeno, restored
( Flavius Zeno )
(Born Tarasicodissa) 		Roman general of Isaurian origins; son-in-law of Leo I, father of Leo II c.425 restored August 476
Having deposed Basiliscus 		9 April 491 He rallied an army and restored himself by force. Shortly afterwards, he formally reunited the Roman Empire upon the deposition of the Western Emperor Romulus Augustulus, although in reality the West fell under barbarian control. He ruled laxly, but he left the East stronger than he had found it.
Image:Anastasius I.JPG Anastasius I
( Flavius Anastasius ) 		Palace official ("Silentiarius"); son-in-law of Leo I c.430 11 April 491
Chosen by Ariadne, widow of Zeno 		9 July 518 He was a reputable palace official chosen by Ariadne (daughter of Leo I, widow of Zeno) to succeed; the pair then married. He was at first popular due to his lowering of taxation; he lost popularity when he adopted a strong monophysite policy in his final years. His leadership in war lead to an exhaustive conflict between the Romans and the Persians, resulting in little benefit; he also faced ravaging of the Balkans by Slavic and Bulgar invasions.
Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes

[edit] Justinian dynasty (518-602)

Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes
Image:JustinI.JPG Justin I
(Flavius Iustinus )		 General, commander of the City Guards under Anastasius I c.450 July 518
Elected by army and people upon the death of Anastasius I 		1 August 527 He was an illiterate Macedonian peasant, who rose to become commander of the city guards. Through this position and lavish bribery, he secured the throne upon the death of Anastasius I. His reign was marked mainly by conflict with the Ostrogoths and Persians.
Image:Meister von San Vitale in Ravenna 004.jpg Justinian I
(Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus)		 Nephew and heir of Justin I 482/483 1 August 527
Inherited the throne on the death of Justin I 		13/14 November 565 The son of Justin I's sister, Vigilantia, he was adopted by his uncle, then a rising officer of the army, and brought to Constantinople where he was given a good education. He married in 525 Theodora, a shrewd and capable courtesan who acted as the power behind the throne whilst she lived. Under Justinian, large swathes of territory in Italy and the Adriatic coastline, North Africa, and Spain were reconquered, often bringing misery to the local inhabitants as a result. Justinian also ordered the construction of the Hagia Sophia patriarchal basilica in 532. This "Renewal of the Empire", however, was ended by an outbreak of Plague across Europe, killing much of the Empire's population, and seriously weakening it. Against Justinian's credit of restoring Roman rule in parts of the west, and his work on creating "The Code of Justinian", must be set the dire legacy he left his heir, Justin II: a hugely reduced army, a crippled economy, and over-stretched resources.
Image:Justin II.JPG Justin II
(Flavius Iustinus Iunior)		 Nephew and heir of Justinian I c.520 14 November 565
Inherited the throne on the death of Justinian I 		5 October 578 The son of Justinian I's sister, Vigilantia, he inherited the throne upon his uncle's death. He proved a dismal successor to Justinian: in 568, Italy was overrun by the Lombards; his refusal to pay tribute to the Avars led to a number of unsuccessful campaigns against them; and he lost Syria to the Persians. The stresses of his duties proved too much, and, after making his friend and general Tiberius co-Emperor, he lapsed into insanity.
Image:Tiberius II.JPG Tiberius II Constantine
(Flavius Tiberius Constantinus)		 "Comes" of the Excubitors, friend and adoptive son of Justin II c.520 5 October 578
Became full Emperor on the death of Justin II 		14 August 582
possibly poisoned by Maurice 		A friend of Justin II, he was adopted and made co-emperor in 574, upon the advice of the Empress Sophia. He thereafter ruled with the Empress until Justin's death in 578. During his reign, the Persians were defeated in Armenia, whilst the Roman territories in Spain and Africa were secured. However, he was unable to prevent Slavic invasions of the Balkans. He named his son-in-law, Maurice, heir when he became ill in 582; his death shortly afterwards was attributed by rumour to poison.
Image:Emperor Maurice.JPG Maurice
(Flavius Mauricius Tiberius)		 Commander-in-chief of Cappadocian origins; son-in-law of Tiberius II 539 14 August 582
Succeeded upon the death of his father-in-law Tiberius II 		November 602
Forced to abdicate by Phocas 		27 November 602
Executed by Phocas 		One of Constantinople's outstanding generals, he successfully defeated the Persians in 581. He married Constantina, the daughter of Tiberius II in 582, and in the same year became Emperor upon Tiberius' death. He continued the Persian war until 591, when he secured peace by placing the exiled Sassanid heir Chosroes II on the Persian throne. He also warred mostly successfuly with the Avars and Slavs, and instituted the system of the "Exarchates" in Italy and Africa, allowing greater competence in defending Roman territory there. A refusal to pay a ransom demanded by the Avars in exchange for several thousand captured Roman soldiers led to the rebellion of Phocas, who had Maurice executed. His reign saw the last flowering of Roman power, and a weakening of both the Empire and Persia.
Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes

[edit] Non-dynastic (602-610)

Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes
Image:Phocas.JPG Phocas
(Flavius Phocas )		 sub-altern in the Balkan army, leader of rebellion; deposed Maurice  ? November 602
Seized power in a rebellion against Maurice 		610
Executed by Heraclius 		A minor soldier in the Roman army, he led a rebellion against Maurice after the latter ordered the exhausted forces to winter on the unprotected side of the Danube, and then tried to send them on a winter campaign. In the ensuing rebellion, Maurice abdicated; Phocas had himself crowned Emperor, and then executed the ex-emperor and his children. He was initially popular due to his lowering of taxes and his reforms. However, under his rule, the traditional Roman borders in the east began to collapse, whilst the Persians supported rebellions on their border and advanced their control westwards. Eventually, his authority crumbled, and Heraclius proclaimed himself as Emperor and seized control, executing Phocas.
Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes

[edit] Heraclian dynasty (610-711)

  • Heraclius (Ηράκλειος) (575–641, ruled 610–641): usurper; son of the Armenian Exarch of Africa; defeated Chosroes II in final Sassanid-Byzantine War; lost Palestine,Syria and Egypt to Arab Expansion
  • Constantine III (Heraclius Constantine) (Κωνσταντίνος Γ') (612–641, ruled 641): son of Heraclius; coemperor with Heraklonas
  • Heraklonas (Constantine Heraclius) (Ηρακλωνάς) (626–641?, ruled 641): son of Herakleios; mutilated and deposed
  • Constans II (Herakleios, later Constantine, called Πωγωνάτος, the Bearded) (Κώνστας Β') (630–668, ruled 641–668): son of Constantine III; assassinated by chamberlain
  • Mezezius (668–669): Usurper
  • Constantine IV (Κωνσταντίνος Δ') (649–685, ruled 668–685): son of Constans II
  • Justinian II the Slit-nosed (Ιουστινιανός Β' ο Ρινότμητος) (668–711, ruled 685–695): son of Constantine IV; mutilated, deposed, and exiled
  • Leontios (Λεόντιος) (ruled 695–698): Usurper; Strategos (general); mutilated, deposed, and imprisoned—later executed
  • Tiberios III (Τιβέριος Γ' ο Αψίμαρος) (ruled 698–705): Usurper; German originally named Apsimar; deposed and executed
  • Justinian II the Slit-nosed (Ιουστινιανός Β' ο Ρινότμητος) (ruled 705–711): restored; deposed and executed
Picture Name - Greek Name - Latin Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes
Image:Heraclius and sons.JPG Herakleios
(Ηράκλειος, Hērakleios) 		Heraclius (Flavius Heraclius) son of Exarch Heraclius the Elder; deposed Phocas c.575 5 October 610
Seized power in a rebellion against Phocas 		11 February 641 He rebelled against Phocas and seized power. After a long war with the Sassanid Empire and the Avars, he emerged victorious, fatally weakening both opponents. He was unable to prevent the loss of Syria, Palestine and Egypt to the newly emergent Arab Caliphate towards the end of his reign. He is credited with organising the system of Themata to defend the Empire, and with making Greek rather than Latin the official language of the Empire. He left the Empire to be ruled jointly by his two sons Constantine III and Heraklonas
Image:Heraclius and sons.JPG Constantine III
(Ηράκλειος (νέος) Κωνσταντίνος, Herakleios Novos Kōnstantinos) 		Constantine III ( Heraclius Novus Constantinus ) eldest son of Herakleios 3 May 612 11 February 641
Succeeded to throne with Heraklonas following death of Herakleios 		24/26 May 641
Tuberculosis, allegedly poisoned by Martina 		He was made co-Emperor with his father in 613, but did not fully accede until his father's death. He died shortly after his accession, his sole noteworthy act being bribing the army to safeguard the rights of his son, Constans II. The rumour that his stepmother, Martina, had poisoned him led to the downfall of herself and her son, Heraklonas
Image:Heraclius and sons.JPG Heraklonas
(Κωνσταντίνος Ηράκλειος, Kōnstantinos Herakleios) 		Heraclianus (Constantinus Heraclius) younger son of Herakleios 626 11 February 641
Succeeded to throne with Constantine III following death of Herakleios 		September 641
Deposed by Senate 		c.641
Presumed to have died in exile 		He was made co-Emperor with his father in 638, but did not fully accede until his father's death. After his brother's death, he ruled briefly as co-emperor, then made his nephew, Constans II, co-emperor, to quell an army revolt. The people of Constantinople, however, distrusted him, believing that he and his mother Martina had murdered Constantine III; in September, the Senate deposed him and his mother, subjected both to ritual mutilation (Heraklonas lost his nose, Martina lost her tongue), and exiled them to Rhodes.
Constans II
(Κώνστας Β', Kōnstas II);
born Herakleios Constantine
(Ηράκλειος Κωνσταντίνος, Herakleios Kōnstantinos );
called "Constantine the Bearded" (Κωνσταντίνος Πωγωνάτος, Kōnstantinos Pogonatos) 		Constans II
(Constantus II);
born Heraclius Constantine
( Heraclius Constantinus );
called "Constantine the Bearded" 		son of Constantine III 7 November 630 641
Made co-Emperor by Hereklonas, sole emperor in that same year 		15 September 668
Assassinated, possibly on the orders of Mezezius 		His uncle, Heraklonas, made him co-emperor to quell a revolt; the revolt continued, and Heraklonas was deposed. Constans then ruled as sole emperor. In his reign, Egypt was lost completely by the Empire, whilst Carthage was also lost for a time. He stabilised the border in the Balkans. His religious attitudes led him to bring Pope Martin I to trial in Constantinople for his criticism of Constans. After executing his brother, Theodosius, he became hated by the people of Constantinople, and left for Syracuse; he spent the rest of his life in Italy. Rumours that he intended to establish Syracuse as his capital led to his being assassinated in his bath. A noble of the court, Mezesius, then established a military regime in Sicily for several months.
Constantine IV
(Κωνσταντίνος, Kōnstantinos) 		Constantine
(Constantinos) 		son of Constans II 652 15 September 668
succeeded following murder of Constans II 		September 685
Died of dysentery 		He became Emperor following the murder of his father; immediately, he was forced to suppress a revolt in Sicily, led by the imperial pretender Mezezius. In his reign, Constantinople was attacked by an Arab fleet between 672 and 678; Greek fire was used to drive them off. However, several coastal cities, including Smyrna and Cyzicus, were conquered by the Arabs, whilst the Bulgars took advantage of the situation to establish a state in Moesia, to which Constantine was forced to pay tribute. His reign also saw the formal condemnation of monothelitism by the Sixth Oecumenical Council.
Picture Name - Greek Name - Latin Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes

[edit] Non-dynastic (711-717)

  • Philippikos Bardanes (Φιλιππικός Βαρδάνης) (ruled 711–713): Armenian soldier; deposed and mutilated
  • Anastasios II (Αναστάσιος Β') ( ?–721, ruled 713–715): orig. Artemios; secretary of Philippikos; deposed & entered monastery, later revolted & was executed
  • Theodosios III (Θεοδόσιος Γ' ο Αδραμμυττηνός) (ruled 715–717): tax-collector; abdicated and entered monastery

[edit] Isaurian dynasty (717-802)

  • Leo III the Isaurian (Λέων Γ' ο Ίσαυρος) (675–741, ruled 717–741): Strategos
  • Constantine V Kopronymos (the Dung-named) (Κωνσταντίνος Ε' ο Κοπρώνυμος ή Καβαλίνος) (718–775, ruled 741): son of Leo III; deposed
  • Artabasdus the Icon-lover (Αρτάβασδος ο Εικονόφιλος) (ruled 741–743): Leo III's chamberlain and son-in-law
  • Constantine V Kopronymos (Κωνσταντίνος Ε' ο Κοπρώνυμος ή Καβαλίνος) (ruled 743–775): restored
  • Leo IV the Khazar (Λέων Δ' o Χαζάρος) (750–780, ruled 775–780): son of Constantine V
  • Constantine VI the Blinded (Κωνσταντίνος ΣΤ') (771–797, ruled 780–797): son of Leo IV; deposed and mutilated by mother, dying from wounds
  • Irene the Athenian (Ειρήνη η Αθηναία) (755–803, ruled 797–802): wife of Leo IV, mother of Constantine VI; canonized by the Orthodox church; deposed and exiled to Lesbos

[edit] Nikephoros' dynasty (802-813)

  • Nikephoros I (Νικηφόρος Α') ( ?–811, ruled 802–811): Megas Logothetes; died in battle, skull used as wine cup
  • Staurakios (Σταυράκιος Φωκάς) ( ?–812, ruled 811): son of Nikephoros I; paralyzed
  • Michael I Rangabe (Μιχαήλ Α' Ραγκαβής) (ruled 811–813): son-in-law of Nikephoros I and master of the palace; deposed and entered monastery

[edit] Non-dynastic (813-820)

  • Leo V the Armenian (Λέων Ε' ο Αρμένιος) (775–820, ruled 813–820): Strategos; assassinated

[edit] Phrygian dynasty (820-867)

  • Michael II the Stammerer or the Amorian (Μιχαήλ Β' ο Τραυλός ή Ψελλός) (770–829, ruled 820–829): Strategos, son-in-law of Constantine VI
  • Theophilus (Θεόφιλος) (813–842, ruled 829–842): son of Michael II
  • Theodora (Θεοδώρα) (ruled 842–855): wife of Theophilus; empress and regent for Michael III; canonized by the Orthodox church; deposed and entered monastery
  • Michael III the Drunkard (Μιχαήλ Γ' ο Μέθυσος) (840–867, ruled 842–867): son of Theophilos; assassinated

[edit] Macedonian dynasty (867-1056)

  • Basil I the Macedonian (Βασίλειος Α') (811–886, ruled 867–886): married Michael III's widow; died in hunting accident
  • Leo VI the Wise (Λέων ΣΤ' ο Σοφός) (866–912, ruled 886–912): likely either son of Basil I or Michael III;
  • Alexander (Αλέξανδρος Γ' του Βυζαντίου) (870–913, ruled 912–913): son of Basil I, regent for nephew
  • Constantine VII the Purple-born (Κωνσταντίνος Ζ' ο Πορφυρογέννητος) (905-959, ruled 913–959): son of Leo VI
  • Romanos I Lekapenos (Ρωμανός Α' ο Λεκαπηνός) (870–948, ruled 919–944): father-in-law of Constantine VII; coemperor, deposed by his sons and entered monastery
  • Romanos II the Purple-born (Ρωμανός Β' ο Πορφυρογέννητος) (939–963, ruled 959–963): son of Constantine VII
  • Nikephoros II Phokas (Νικηφόρος Β' Φωκάς) (912–969, ruled 963–969): Strategos; married Romanos II's widow, regent for Basil II; assassinated
  • John I Tzimiskes (Ιωάννης Α' Κουρκούας ο Τσιμισκής) (925–976, ruled 969–976): brother-in-law of Romanus II; lover of Nicephorus's wife but banned from marriage; regent for Basil
  • Basil II the Bulgar-slayer (Βασίλειος Β' ο Βουλγαροκτόνος) (958–1025, ruled 976–1025): son of Romanos II
  • Constantine VIII (Κωνσταντίνος Η')(960-1028, ruled 1025–1028): son of Romanos II; coemperor with Basil II
  • Zoe (Ζωή) ((c. 978–1050, ruled 1028–1050): daughter of Constantine VIII
  • Romanos III Argyros (Ρωμανός Γ' ο Αργυρός) (968–1034, ruled 1028–1034): eparch of Constantinople; Zoe's first husband, arranged by Constantine VIII; murdered
  • Michael IV the Paphlagonian (Μιχαήλ Δ' ο Παφλαγών) (1010–1041, ruled 1034–1041): Zoe's second husband
  • Michael V the Caulker (Μιχαήλ Ε' ο Καλαφάτης) (1015–1042, ruled 1041–1042): Michael IV's nephew, Zoe's adopted son
  • Theodora (Θεοδώρα) (980–1056, ruled 1042): daughter of Constantine VIII, coempress with Zoe
  • Constantine IX Monomachos (Κωνσταντίνος Θ' ο Μονομάχος) (1000–1055, ruled 1042–1055): Zoe's third husband
  • Theodora (Θεοδώρα) (ruled 1055–1056): restored

[edit] Non-dynastic (1056-1057)

  • Michael VI the General (Μιχαήλ ΣΤ' ο Στρατιωτικός) (ruled 1056–1057): chosen by Theodora; deposed & entered monastery

[edit] Komnenid dynasty (1057-1059)

  • Isaac I Komnenos (Ισαάκιος Α' ο Κομνηνός) (c. 1007–1060, ruled 1057–1059): soldier; abdicated in a fit of illness & entered monastery

[edit] Doukid dynasty (1059-1081)

  • Constantine X Doukas (Κωνσταντίνος Ι' ο Δούκας) (1006–1067, ruled 1059–1067): selected by Michael Psellus
  • Michael VII Doukas Quarter-short (Μιχαήλ Ζ' Δούκας Παραπινάκης) (1050–1090, ruled 1067–1078): son of Constantine X, originally coemperor with two brothers and Romanus; deposed & entered monastery
  • Romanos IV Diogenes (Ρωμανός Δ' Διογένης) (1032–1072, ruled 1068–1071): married Constantine X's widow; coemperor, deposed & mutilated to death
  • Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Νικηφόρος Γ' Βοτανειάτης) (1001–1081, ruled 1078–1081): Strategos claiming descent from the Fabii, bigamously married Michael VII's wife; deposed & forced into monastery

[edit] Komnenid dynasty (1081-1185)

  • Alexios I Komnenos (Αλέξιος Α' Κομνηνός) (1057–1118, ruled 1081–1118): nephew of Isaac I, married Constantine X's grandniece
  • John II Komnenos the Handsome (Ιωάννης Β' Κομνηνός o Καλός) (1087–1143, ruled 1118–1143): son of Alexios I, died of a hunting accident
  • Manuel I Komnenos the Great (Μανουήλ Α' Κομνηνός ο Μέγας) (1118–1180, ruled 1143–1180): son of John II
  • Alexios II Komnenos (Αλέξιος B' Κομνηνός) (1169–1183, ruled 1180–1183): son of Manuel I; murdered with garrotte
  • Andronikos I Komnenos (Ανδρόνικος Α' Κομνηνός) (1118–1185, ruled 1183–1185): nephew of John II; married Alexios II's widow; deposed, tortured, and executed; ancestor of the Komnenian line in Trebizond
Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes
Image:Alexius I.jpg Alexios I Komnenos
(Greek: Alexios Komnenos:
Αλέξιος Α' Κομνηνός )
(Latin: Alexius I Comnenus ) 		Nephew of Isaac I, military commander 1048 4 April 1081
Proclaimed by his troops 		15 August 1118
Picture Name Status Birth Emperor from Emperor until Death Notes

[edit] Angelid dynasty (1185-1204)

  • Isaac II Angelos (Ισαάκιος Β' Άγγελος) (1156–1204, ruled 1185–1195): great-grandson of Alexios I, deposed & blinded
  • Alexios III Angelos (Αλέξιος Γ' Άγγελος) (1153–1211, ruled 1195–1203): brother of Isaac II, deposed by the Fourth Crusade and eventually forced into monastery
  • Isaac II Angelos (Ισαάκιος Β' Άγγελος) (ruled 1203–1204): restored after Alexios III had fled as coemperor with Alexius IV, deposed by Alexios V
  • Alexios IV Angelos (Αλέξιος Δ' Άγγελος) (1182–1204, ruled 1203–1204): son of Isaac II, deposed and killed by Alexios V
  • Nikolaos Kanabos: usurper in rebellion to Isaac II and Alexios IV 1204
  • Alexios V Doukas Mourtzouphlos (Αλέξιος Ε' Δούκας ο Μούρτζουφλος) (1140–1204, ruled 1204): usurper; son-in-law of Alexios III

[edit] Laskarid dynasty (Empire of Nicaea, 1204-1261)

  • Constantine Laskaris (ruled 1204): not officially crowned
  • Theodore I Laskaris (Θεόδωρος Α' Λάσκαρης) (1174–1222, ruled 1204–1222): son-in-law of Alexios III
  • John III Doukas Vatatzes (Ιωάννης Γ' Δούκας Βατάτζης) (1192–1254, ruled 1222–1254): son-in-law of Theodore I; epileptic
  • Theodore II Doukas Laskaris (Θεόδωρος Β' Δούκας Λάσκαρης) (1221–1258, ruled 1254–1258): son of John III
  • John IV Doukas Laskaris (Ιωάννης Δ' Δούκας Λάσκαρης) (1250–1305, ruled 1258–1261): son of Theodore II, deposed, blinded, and imprisoned by Michael VIII

[edit] Palaiologan Dynasty (restored to Constantinople, 1259-1453)

  • Michael VIII Palaiologos (Μιχαήλ Η' Παλαιολόγος) (1224–1282, ruled 1259–1282): Strategos, regent for John IV Lascaris; great-grandson of Alexios III Angelos
  • Andronikos II Palaiologos the Elder (Ανδρόνικος Β' ο Γέρος) (1258–1332, ruled 1282–1328): son of Michael VIII; abdicated
  • Andronikos III Palaiologos the Younger (Ανδρόνικος Γ' Παλαιολόγος ο Νέος) (1297–1341, ruled 1328–1341): grandson of Andronikos II
  • John V Palaiologos (Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος) (1332–1391, ruled 1341–1347): son of Andronikos III, deposed by John VI
  • John VI Kantakouzenos (Ιωάννης Στ' Καντακουζηνός) (1295–1383, ruled outright 1347–1354): father-in-law of John V; deposed, and entered monastery as Ioasaph Christodoulus
  • John V Palaiologos (Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος) (ruled 1354–1376): restored, deposed by Andronikos IV
  • Andronikos IV Palaiologos (Ανδρόνικος Δ' Παλαιολόγος) (1348–1385, ruled 1376–1379): son of John V, half-blinded following revolt, later succeeded and was deposed, revolted a third time
  • John VII Palaiologos (Ιωάννης Ζ' Παλαιολόγος) (1370-1408, co-emperor 1376-1379), deposed
  • John V Palaiologos (Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος) (Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος) (ruled 1379–1390): restored, deposed
  • John VII Palaiologos (Ιωάννης Ζ' Παλαιολόγος) (ruled 1390)
  • John V Palaiologos (Ιωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος) (ruled 1390–1391): restored
  • Manuel II Palaiologos (Μανουήλ Β' Παλαιολόγος) (1350–1425, ruled 1391–1425): son of John V
  • John VII Palaiologos (Ιωάννης Ζ' Παλαιολόγος) (regent 1399–1402)
  • John VIII Palaiologos (Ιωάννης Η' Παλαιολόγος) (1392–1448, ruled 1425–1448): son of Manuel II
  • Constantine XI Palaiologos Dragases (Κωνσταντίνος ΙΑ' Παλαιολόγος Δραγάσης) (1405–1453, ruled 1449–1453): son of Manuel II, not crowned in Constantinople, died during the Fall of Constantinople.


[edit] Palaiologan Dynasty (claimants in exile)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hooker, Richard. "The Byzantine Empire." Middle Ages. World Cultures. 4 June 2007 <http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MA/BYZ.HTM>.
  2. ^ Norwich, John Julius, Byzantium, The Decline and Fall, p.446


Roman Emperors by Epoch
see also: List of Roman Emperors · Concise list of Roman Emperors · Roman Empire
Principate Crisis of the 3rd century Dominate Division Successors
  • Eastern Roman Emperors
  • Byzantine Emperors
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