Eudokia Dekapolitissa
Encyclopedia
Eudokia Dekapolitissa was the empress consort of Michael III
(r. 842–867), the last member of the Phrygian Dynasty to rule the Byzantine Empire
.
and Theoktistos
jointly served as his regents. In 855, Michael III was fifteen years old and had already gained his first mistress in the person of Eudokia Ingerina
.
Theodora did not approve of the relationship and organized a bride-show
for her son. Dekapolitissa enters history as one of the contenders for marrying the young Emperor. Her background is unknown though entry arguably required noble origin and courtly connections.
Theodora herself had been picked in a bride-show by her mother-in-law Euphrosyne
. She chose her own daughter-in-law while Michael was not allowed to choose. Dekapolitissa was thus chosen to become Empress.
had assisted with the coup and replaced them as regent.
In early 856, Michael III relegated his surviving sisters to monasteries. On 15 March 856, Theodora was stripped of her title of Augusta
. She was allowed to remain in the palace until accused of conspiring against her son the following year, when she was forced to join her daughters as a nun (August or September 857).
What was the status of Eudokia during these events is unknown. She remained Michael's legal wife but was again mostly ignored. She continued to be the empress until the assassination of Michael III by Basil the Macedonian on 23–24 September 867. Eudokia was not harmed by Basil, and returned as a widow to her family. She does not resurface in historical records.
Michael III
Michael III , , Byzantine Emperor from 842 to 867. Michael III was the third and traditionally last member of the Amorian-Phrygian Dynasty...
(r. 842–867), the last member of the Phrygian Dynasty to rule the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
.
Marriage
Michael III had succeeded to the throne in 842,when he was only two years old. His mother TheodoraTheodora (9th century)
Theodora was a Byzantine Empress as the spouse of the Byzantine emperor Theophilos, and regent of her son, Michael III, from Theophilos' death in 842 to 855...
and Theoktistos
Theoktistos
Theoktistos was an influential senior Byzantine official during the reigns of Michael II and his son Theophilos, and regent for the underage Michael III...
jointly served as his regents. In 855, Michael III was fifteen years old and had already gained his first mistress in the person of Eudokia Ingerina
Eudokia Ingerina
Eudokia Ingerina was the wife of the Byzantine emperor Basil I, the mistress of his predecessor Michael III, and the mother to both the Emperors Leo VI and Alexander and Patriarch Stephen I of Constantinople.-Family:...
.
Theodora did not approve of the relationship and organized a bride-show
Bride-show
The bride-show was a custom of Byzantine emperors and Russian tsars to choose a wife from among the most beautiful maidens of the country.Notable marriages resulting from a bride-show: Theophilos and Theodora, three wives of Ivan IV of Russia, Peter the Great's mother Natalya Naryshkina.-Further...
for her son. Dekapolitissa enters history as one of the contenders for marrying the young Emperor. Her background is unknown though entry arguably required noble origin and courtly connections.
Theodora herself had been picked in a bride-show by her mother-in-law Euphrosyne
Euphrosyne (9th century)
Euphrosyne , a daughter of Byzantine emperor Constantine VI, the last representative of the Isaurian dynasty, and Maria of Amnia.- Life :...
. She chose her own daughter-in-law while Michael was not allowed to choose. Dekapolitissa was thus chosen to become Empress.
Empress
Michael seems to have mostly ignored his new wife and continued his affair with Ingerina. However the conflict between Michael and his regents came to a head in November, 855. Michael organized the assassination of Theoktistos and the displacement of Theodora from the regency. His maternal uncle BardasBardas
Bardas was a Byzantine noble and high-ranking minister. As the brother of Empress Theodora, he rose to high office under Theophilos . Although sidelined after Theophilos' death by Theodora and Theoktistos, in 856 he engineered Theoktistos' fall and became the regent for his nephew, Michael III...
had assisted with the coup and replaced them as regent.
In early 856, Michael III relegated his surviving sisters to monasteries. On 15 March 856, Theodora was stripped of her title of Augusta
Augusta (honorific)
Augusta was the imperial honorific title of empresses. It was given to the women of the Roman and Byzantine imperial families. In the third century, Augustae could also receive the titles of Mater castrorum and Mater Patriae .The title implied the greatest prestige, with the Augustae able to...
. She was allowed to remain in the palace until accused of conspiring against her son the following year, when she was forced to join her daughters as a nun (August or September 857).
What was the status of Eudokia during these events is unknown. She remained Michael's legal wife but was again mostly ignored. She continued to be the empress until the assassination of Michael III by Basil the Macedonian on 23–24 September 867. Eudokia was not harmed by Basil, and returned as a widow to her family. She does not resurface in historical records.