Table of Contents
- 1 Why was Irene important Athens?
- 2 What did Charlemagne do to change the world?
- 3 How did Europe change under Charlemagne?
- 4 Why is Charlemagne important in history?
- 5 For which achievement is Charlemagne most remembered?
- 6 What is Irene of Athens known for?
- 7 How did Irene become sole ruler of the Roman Empire?
Why was Irene important Athens?
752–803) First woman to be sole ruler of the Byzantine empire who ruled for ten years, displaying firmness and intelligence, and summoned the council at Nicaea in 787, which formally revived the adoration of images and reunited the Eastern church with that of Rome.
What did Charlemagne do to change the world?
He instituted economic and religious reforms, and was a driving force behind the Carolingian miniscule, a standardized form of writing that later became a basis for modern European printed alphabets. Charlemagne ruled from a number of cities and palaces, but spent significant time in Aachen.
How did Europe change under Charlemagne?
Commerce boomed One of the most important changes Charlemagne made was abandoning the gold standard and putting all of Europe on the same silver currency. Trade became easier and the continent prospered, aided by laws that took some power away from the nobles and let the peasantry participate in commerce.
Did Charlemagne married Irene?
Irene then reigned alone as emperor (not empress) for five years. In 798 she opened diplomatic relations with the Western emperor Charlemagne, and in 802 a marriage between her and Charlemagne was reportedly contemplated.
What happened as a result of Irene’s taking the throne?
In 797 CE, when Irene took back the throne for herself, she blinded her son, doing so in the same purple chamber of the palace in which he had been born. Thereafter, Irene is referred to in official state records as basileus, emperor, and not as empress, the first woman to so rule in her own right.
Why is Charlemagne important in history?
He founded the Holy Roman Empire, stimulated European economic and political life, and fostered the cultural revival known as the Carolingian Renaissance. In contrast to the general decline of western Europe from the 7th century on, the era of Charlemagne marks a significant revival and turning point.
For which achievement is Charlemagne most remembered?
The achievement for which Charlemagne is most remembered was: building an empire larger than any since Rome.
What is Irene of Athens known for?
Irene of Athens (c.752-30 September 806), also known as Irene Sarantapechos, was the Byzantine Empress regnant from 797 to 806. Before becoming empress, she was consort to Leo IV from 775 to 780 and empress dowager from 780 to 797. She is most remembered for her marriage to Charlemagne in 803, unifying the Franks and the Byzantines.
How did Irene of Aragon rise to power?
Irene’s unprecedented position as an empress ruling in her own right was emphasized by the coincidental rise of the Carolingian Empire in Western Europe, which rivaled Irene’s Byzantium in size and power. Charlemagne invaded Italy early on in his reign, annexing the Lombard kingdom of Italy.
What happened to Irene of Rome and Leo IV?
Just over a month later, on December 17th, Irene was crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire and married Leo IV at the chapel of St. Stephen. On January 14, 771, Irene gave birth to a son named Constantine VI. In August 775, Constantine V died leaving Leo IV sole rule of the Byzantine Empire.
How did Irene become sole ruler of the Roman Empire?
With him out of the way, Irene proclaimed herself sole ruler. Irene’s alleged unprecedented status as a female ruler of the Roman Empire led Pope Leo III to proclaim Charlemagne emperor of the Holy Roman Empire on Christmas Day of 800 under the pretext that a woman could not rule and so the throne of the Roman Empire was actually vacant.