Sophia (empress)
Encyclopedia
Aelia Sophia was the Empress consort of Justin II
of the Byzantine Empire
from 565 to 578. She was specifically interested in economic matters and was involved in financial matters during Justin's reign. During his bouts of insanity, she acted as regent.
, Sophia was a niece of Theodora
, the Empress consort of Justinian I
. John of Ephesus did not specify the identities of her parents. According to the Secret History of Procopius
, Theodora had only two siblings: her older sister Comito and younger sister Anastasia; either one could be the mother of Sophia. Procopius identifies Comito as a leading hetaera
of her age. John Malalas
records that Comito (b. ca 500) married general Sittas
in 528. Sittas may thus be the father of Sophia. Whether Anastasia ever married is unknown.
. According to the Chronicon of Victor of Tunnuna
, Justin was a son of Dulcidius and Vigilantia
. Her father-in-law is also known as Dulcissimus in genealogical
resources. Vigilantia and her brother, Justinian I, were children of Petrus Sabbatius and a senior Vigilantia, who was a sister of Justin I
.
Sophia and Justin had at least two children:
. He managed to gain the support of the Byzantine Senate
and was proclaimed emperor within the palace walls before the other members of the Justinian Dynasty
were notified. The events were recorded by the court poet Flavius Cresconius Corippus
.
Corippus often translated her Greek
name "Sophia" to its Latin
equivalent "Sapientia". The meaning of both is "Wisdom
", and the poet uses it as both a divine name and title for her. The accession speech of Justin makes specific mention of Sophia co-ruling with her husband, the presumption being that she already exercised political influence over him. Corippus records Sophia being in charge of the arrangements for the funeral of Justinian and claims she weaved his shroud
with scenes depicting the triumphs of his reign.
The main challenge to the new reign was another Justin
, cousin to the new emperor. This namesake cousin was a son of Germanus and his first wife Passara. He had distinguished himself as a military commander and was thus seen as a better choice from a military point of view. According to Evagrius Scholasticus
, the Emperor and Sophia initially welcomed their kinsman to Constantinople
but before long had him exiled to Alexandria
. In 568, the other Justin was murdered in his bed. John of Biclaro
attributed the murder on supporters of Sophia. Evagrius claims that the head of the deceased was sent to the imperial couple who spitefully kicked it around. Evagrius is mostly negative in his account of Justin and Sophia, so should not be taken as an impartial source.
In 568, Narses
was removed from his position as prefect of Italia. According to Paul the Deacon
, Sophia sent a message to the senior general that she had a more suitable position for a eunuch like him, as an overseer of the weaving girls of the gynaikonitis (women's quarters). Paul attributes to this message the choice of Narses to retire in Naples
, instead of returning to Constantinople as Justin had ordered him to do. The interpretation being that Narses was afraid of Sophia.
Sophia also influenced the financial policies of Justin. Having inherited an exhausted treasury, they set about repaying the various debts and loans of Justinian to bankers and money-lenders. According to Theophanes, Sophia was in charge of the examination of the financial records and the payment; thus restoring the credibility of the royal treasury. The imperial couple was trying to cut down on expenses and increase the treasury reserves. Evagrius, John of Ephesus, Gregory of Tours
and Paul the Deacon all mention it while accusing both Justin and Sophia of greed. She did research their debts and repaid them, which gained her a lot of contemporary praise.
Sophia took the name Aelia
following the practices of the empresses of the Theodosian dynasty
and the House of Leo
. The name had not been used by the two preceding empresses of her own dynasty. She was the first Empress consort depicted in Byzantine coinage
with equally royal insignia to her husband. They were also depicted together in images and statues while the name of Sophia alone was given to two palaces, a harbor and a public bath built in her honor.
In 569, Justin and Sophia together reportedly sent a relic of the True Cross
to Radegund
. The event was commemorated in Vexilla Regis
by Venantius Fortunatus
. They also sent relics to Pope John III
in an attempt to improve relations - the Cross of Justin II
in the Vatican Museums
, a crux gemmata
and reliquary
of the True Cross
perhaps given at this point, has an inscription recording their donation and apparently their portraits on the ends of the arms on the reverse. However the religious policy of the couple was controversial. According to John of Ephesus and Michael the Syrian
, husband and wife were both initially monophysites who converted to Chalcedonean Christianity to gain favor with their uncle Justinian. During their reign, they attempted a failed reconciliation of Chalcedonian
and Monophysitic
Christianity which ended in renewed persecution of the latter. Meanwhile their own beliefs were still in question.
to Khosrau I
of the Sassanid Empire
in November, 573. According to Gregory of Tours
, sole power of the Empire at this point was assumed by Sophia. Evagrius Scholasticus
reports that Sophia managed to conclude a three-year truce with Khosrau on her own. But as a Regent she would require supporters and she picked Tiberius II Constantine
as her colleague in power. He was Comes
Excubitorum (Commander of the Excubitors
).
According to the chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor
, Tiberius was officially appointed Caesar
by Justin on 7 December 574. He was also adopted
by Justin and thus became his appointed heir.
John of Ephesus records that Sophia and Tiberius found themselves arguing over their financial policies as effective co-regents. With Sophia pursuing the decreasing of royal expenses while Tiberius argued for the necessity of their increase. Particularly for military expenses.
The Ecclesiastic history of John of Ephesus and the chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor both consider Sophia planning to marry Tiberius herself at this point. His current marriage to Ino Anastasia
seen as an offense to her. Ino and her daughters Constantina and Charito were not allowed to enter the Great Palace of Constantinople
. They were instead settled in the palace of Hormisdas, residence of Justinian I
prior to his elevation to the throne. According to John of Ephesus, Tiberius joined them every evening and returned to the Great Palace every morning. Sophia also refused to let the ladies at court visit Ino and her daughters as a token of respect to them.
Ino eventually left Constantinople
in favor of Daphnudium, her previous residence. According to John of Ephesus, Tiberius left Constantinople to visit Ino when she fell sick. Her daughters are assumed to have joined her in her departure from the capital.
In September 578, Justin II appointed Tiberius as his co-emperor. On 5 October 578, Justin was dead and Tiberius became the sole Emperor. According to John of Ephesus, Sophia sent Patriarch Eutychius of Constantinople
to Tiberius to convince him to divorce Ino, and offering both herself and her adult daughter Arabia as prospective brides for the new Emperor. Tiberius refused. Sophia was no longer the Empress consort, though still an Augusta
.
, younger brother of the Justin
murdered in Alexandria.
Tiberius reacted by taking hold of much of her property, dismissing her loyal servants and appointing replacements loyal to him. However her rank and presence in the palace remained. Theophanes records that in 579, Sophia retired to the Sophiai, a palace built in her honor. He describes her as holding her own minor court and honored as mother of Tiberius.
On 14 August 582, Tiberius died. He was succeeded by Maurice
, a general betrothed to Constantina. Maurice had been a choice of Sophia. Gregory of Tours reporting that she had planned to marry him and regain the throne. The marriage of Constantina and Maurice took place in Autumn 582. The ceremony was performed by Patriarch John IV of Constantinople
and is described in detail by Theophylact Simocatta
. Constantina was proclaimed an Augusta while both Sophia and Anastasia also kept the same title. John of Ephesus mentions all three Augustas residing in the Great Palace, which would mean either that her retirement was temporary or that Theophanes misreported her status.
Anastasia was the first of the three ladies to die. Theophanes places her death in 593. Constantina seems to have enjoyed better relations with Sophia than her mother did. Theophanes records them to have jointly offered a precious crown
as an Easter
present to Maurice in 601. He accepted their gift but then ordered it hang over the altar of Hagia Sophia
as his own tribute to the church. Which according to Theophanes was taken an insult by both Augustas and caused a rift in the marriage.
The Easter of 601 was also the last time Sophia was mentioned in our sources. Whether she survived to see the deposition of Maurice in 602 is unclear.
Justin II
Justin II was Byzantine Emperor from 565 to 578. He was the husband of Sophia, nephew of Justinian I and the late Empress Theodora, and was therefore a member of the Justinian Dynasty. His reign is marked by war with Persia and the loss of the greater part of Italy...
of 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...
from 565 to 578. She was specifically interested in economic matters and was involved in financial matters during Justin's reign. During his bouts of insanity, she acted as regent.
Family
According to the Ecclesiastic History of John of EphesusJohn of Ephesus
John of Ephesus was a leader of the non-Chalcedonian Syriac-speaking Church in the sixth century, and one of the earliest and most important of historians who wrote in Syriac.-Life:...
, Sophia was a niece of Theodora
Theodora (6th century)
Theodora , was empress of the Roman Empire and the wife of Emperor Justinian I. Like her husband, she is a saint in the Orthodox Church, commemorated on November 14...
, the Empress consort of Justinian I
Justinian I
Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of...
. John of Ephesus did not specify the identities of her parents. According to the Secret History of Procopius
Procopius
Procopius of Caesarea was a prominent Byzantine scholar from Palestine. Accompanying the general Belisarius in the wars of the Emperor Justinian I, he became the principal historian of the 6th century, writing the Wars of Justinian, the Buildings of Justinian and the celebrated Secret History...
, Theodora had only two siblings: her older sister Comito and younger sister Anastasia; either one could be the mother of Sophia. Procopius identifies Comito as a leading hetaera
Hetaera
In ancient Greece, hetaerae were courtesans, that is to say, highly educated, sophisticated companions...
of her age. John Malalas
John Malalas
John Malalas or Ioannes Malalas was a Greek chronicler from Antioch. Malalas is probably a Syriac word for "rhetor", "orator"; it is first applied to him by John of Damascus .-Life:Malalas was educated in Antioch, and probably was a jurist there, but moved to...
records that Comito (b. ca 500) married general Sittas
Sittas
Sittas was a Byzantine military commander during the reign of Justinian. During the Iberian War against the Sassanid Empire, Sittas was given command of forces in Armenia, similar to the status of Belisarius in Mesopotamia...
in 528. Sittas may thus be the father of Sophia. Whether Anastasia ever married is unknown.
Marriage
During the reign of Justinian I (527–565), Theodora arranged for Sophia to marry his nephew Justin IIJustin II
Justin II was Byzantine Emperor from 565 to 578. He was the husband of Sophia, nephew of Justinian I and the late Empress Theodora, and was therefore a member of the Justinian Dynasty. His reign is marked by war with Persia and the loss of the greater part of Italy...
. According to the Chronicon of Victor of Tunnuna
Victor of Tunnuna
Victor of Tunnuna was bishop of the North African town of Tunnuna and a chronicler from Late Antiquity....
, Justin was a son of Dulcidius and Vigilantia
Vigilantia
Vigilantia was a sister of Byzantine emperor Justinian I , and mother to his successor Justin II .- Name :The name "Vigilantia" is Latin for "alertness, wakefulness". Itself deriving from "vigilia" and "vigil"...
. Her father-in-law is also known as Dulcissimus in genealogical
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
resources. Vigilantia and her brother, Justinian I, were children of Petrus Sabbatius and a senior Vigilantia, who was a sister of Justin I
Justin I
Justin I was Byzantine Emperor from 518 to 527. He rose through the ranks of the army and ultimately became its Emperor, in spite of the fact he was illiterate and almost 70 years old at the time of accession...
.
Sophia and Justin had at least two children:
- Justus. A son, died before 565. Buried in the Church of MichaelMichael (archangel)Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
the ArchangelArchangelAn archangel is an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and by most Christians. Michael is the only archangel specifically named in the Protestant Bible...
. - ArabiaArabia (daughter of Justin II)Arabia was the only recorded daughter of Byzantine emperor Justin II and his empress Sophia.- Name and meaning :While mentioned in several primary sources, her name is only recorded in the Patria of Constantinople...
, a daughter. Married prior to the succession of her father to the kouropalatēs BaduariusBaduariusBaduarius was an East Roman aristocrat, the son-in-law of Byzantine emperor Justin II . Theophanes the Confessor erroneously calls him a brother.- Life :...
. Her husband died c. 576 while defending Byzantine ItalyExarchate of RavennaThe Exarchate of Ravenna or of Italy was a centre of Byzantine power in Italy, from the end of the 6th century to 751, when the last exarch was put to death by the Lombards.-Introduction:...
from the LombardsLombardsThe Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
. They had a daughter, Firmina, whose fate is unknown.
Empress consort
Justinian I had several nephews but seems to have never appointed an heir. On the night of 13 November 565 – 14 November 565, Justinian I lay on his deathbed. Justin was his kouropalates and thus the only viable heir within the Great Palace of ConstantinopleGreat Palace of Constantinople
The Great Palace of Constantinople — also known as the Sacred Palace — was the large Imperial Byzantine palace complex located in the south-eastern end of the peninsula now known as "Old Istanbul", modern Turkey...
. He managed to gain the support of the Byzantine Senate
Byzantine Senate
The Byzantine Senate or Eastern Roman Senate was the continuation of the Roman Senate, established in the 4th century by Constantine I. It survived for centuries but was increasingly irrelevant until its eventual disappearance in the 13th century....
and was proclaimed emperor within the palace walls before the other members of the Justinian Dynasty
Justinian Dynasty
The Justinian Dynasty is a family who ruled over the Byzantine Empire from 518 to 602. It originated with Justin I and ended with Maurice. Patriarch Germanus I of Constantinople , whose father was named Justinian, might have been a descendant of the dynasty...
were notified. The events were recorded by the court poet Flavius Cresconius Corippus
Flavius Cresconius Corippus
Flavius Cresconius Corippus was a late Roman epic poet of the 6th century, who flourished under East Roman Emperors Justinian I and Justin II. His major works are the epic poem Johannis and the panegyric In laudem Justini minoris...
.
Corippus often translated her Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
name "Sophia" to its Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
equivalent "Sapientia". The meaning of both is "Wisdom
Wisdom
Wisdom is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgements and actions in keeping with this understanding. It often requires control of one's emotional reactions so that universal principles, reason and...
", and the poet uses it as both a divine name and title for her. The accession speech of Justin makes specific mention of Sophia co-ruling with her husband, the presumption being that she already exercised political influence over him. Corippus records Sophia being in charge of the arrangements for the funeral of Justinian and claims she weaved his shroud
Shroud
Shroud usually refers to an item, such as a cloth, that covers or protects some other object. The term is most often used in reference to burial sheets, winding-cloths or winding-sheets, such as the famous Shroud of Turin or Tachrichim that Jews are dressed in for burial...
with scenes depicting the triumphs of his reign.
The main challenge to the new reign was another Justin
Justin (consul 540)
Flavius Mar Petrus Theodorus Valentinus Rusticius Boraides Germanus Iustinus, commonly simply Iustinus was an East Roman aristocrat and general, who was appointed as one of the last Roman consuls in 540....
, cousin to the new emperor. This namesake cousin was a son of Germanus and his first wife Passara. He had distinguished himself as a military commander and was thus seen as a better choice from a military point of view. According to Evagrius Scholasticus
Evagrius Scholasticus
Evagrius Scholasticus was a Syrian scholar and intellectual living in the 6th century AD, and an aide to the patriarch Gregory of Antioch. His surviving work, Ecclesiastical History, comprises a six-volume collection concerning the Church's history from the First Council of Ephesus to Maurice’s...
, the Emperor and Sophia initially welcomed their kinsman to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
but before long had him exiled to Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
. In 568, the other Justin was murdered in his bed. John of Biclaro
John of Biclaro
John of Biclaro, Biclar, or Biclarum , also Iohannes Biclarensis, was a Visigoth chronicler, born in Lusitania, in the city of Scallabis , who must have been from a Catholic family, to judge from his name...
attributed the murder on supporters of Sophia. Evagrius claims that the head of the deceased was sent to the imperial couple who spitefully kicked it around. Evagrius is mostly negative in his account of Justin and Sophia, so should not be taken as an impartial source.
In 568, Narses
Narses
Narses was, with Belisarius, one of the great generals in the service of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I during the "Reconquest" that took place during Justinian's reign....
was removed from his position as prefect of Italia. According to Paul the Deacon
Paul the Deacon
Paul the Deacon , also known as Paulus Diaconus, Warnefred, Barnefridus and Cassinensis, , was a Benedictine monk and historian of the Lombards.-Life:...
, Sophia sent a message to the senior general that she had a more suitable position for a eunuch like him, as an overseer of the weaving girls of the gynaikonitis (women's quarters). Paul attributes to this message the choice of Narses to retire in Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, instead of returning to Constantinople as Justin had ordered him to do. The interpretation being that Narses was afraid of Sophia.
Sophia also influenced the financial policies of Justin. Having inherited an exhausted treasury, they set about repaying the various debts and loans of Justinian to bankers and money-lenders. According to Theophanes, Sophia was in charge of the examination of the financial records and the payment; thus restoring the credibility of the royal treasury. The imperial couple was trying to cut down on expenses and increase the treasury reserves. Evagrius, John of Ephesus, Gregory of Tours
Gregory of Tours
Saint Gregory of Tours was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours, which made him a leading prelate of Gaul. He was born Georgius Florentius, later adding the name Gregorius in honour of his maternal great-grandfather...
and Paul the Deacon all mention it while accusing both Justin and Sophia of greed. She did research their debts and repaid them, which gained her a lot of contemporary praise.
Sophia took the name Aelia
Aelia (gens)
The gens Aelia, occasionally written Ailia, was a plebeian family at Rome, which flourished from the 5th century BC until at least the 3rd century AD, a period of nearly eight hundred years. The archaic spelling Ailia is found on coins, but must not be confused with Allia, which seems to be a...
following the practices of the empresses of the Theodosian dynasty
Theodosian dynasty
The Theodosian dynasty was a Roman family that rose to eminence in the waning days of the Roman Empire.-History:Its founding father was Flavius Theodosius , a great general who had saved Britannia from the Great Conspiracy...
and the House of Leo
House of Leo
The House of Leo ruled the Eastern Roman Empire from 457 to 518 .The emperors of the House of Leo were:# Leo I the Thracian – soldier...
. The name had not been used by the two preceding empresses of her own dynasty. She was the first Empress consort depicted in Byzantine coinage
Byzantine coinage
Byzantine currency, money used in the Eastern Roman Empire after the fall of the West, consisted of mainly two types of coins: the gold solidus and a variety of clearly valued bronze coins...
with equally royal insignia to her husband. They were also depicted together in images and statues while the name of Sophia alone was given to two palaces, a harbor and a public bath built in her honor.
In 569, Justin and Sophia together reportedly sent a relic of the True Cross
True Cross
The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a Christian tradition, are believed to be from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.According to post-Nicene historians, Socrates Scholasticus and others, the Empress Helena The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a...
to Radegund
Radegund
Radegund was a 6th century Frankish princess, who founded the monastery of the Holy Cross at Poitiers. Canonized in the 9th century, she is the patron saint of several English churches and of Jesus College, Cambridge.-Life history:Radegund was born about 520 to Bertachar, one of the three kings...
. The event was commemorated in Vexilla Regis
Vexilla Regis
The "Vexilla Regis" is a Latin hymn by the Christian poet Venantius Fortunatus, Bishop of Poitiers. It takes its title from its opening stanza:...
by Venantius Fortunatus
Venantius Fortunatus
Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus was a Latin poet and hymnodist in the Merovingian Court, and a Bishop of the early Catholic Church. He was never canonised but was venerated as Saint Venantius Fortunatus during the Middle Ages.-Life:Venantius Fortunatus was born between 530 and 540 A.D....
. They also sent relics to Pope John III
Pope John III
Pope John III was pope from 561 to July 13, 574. He was born in Rome, of a distinguished family. The Liber Pontificalis calls him a son of one Anastasius. His father bore the title of illustris, more than likely being a vir illustris...
in an attempt to improve relations - the Cross of Justin II
Cross of Justin II
The Cross of Justin II or in the Treasury of Saint Peter's in St Peter's Basilica, is a processional cross and also a reliquary of the True Cross, one of the oldest surviving, if not the oldest...
in the Vatican Museums
Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums , in Viale Vaticano in Rome, inside the Vatican City, are among the greatest museums in the world, since they display works from the immense collection built up by the Roman Catholic Church throughout the centuries, including some of the most renowned classical sculptures and...
, a crux gemmata
Crux Gemmata
A crux gemmata is a form of cross typical of Early Christian and Early Medieval art, where the cross, or at least its front side, is principally decorated with jewels...
and reliquary
Reliquary
A reliquary is a container for relics. These may be the physical remains of saints, such as bones, pieces of clothing, or some object associated with saints or other religious figures...
of the True Cross
True Cross
The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a Christian tradition, are believed to be from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.According to post-Nicene historians, Socrates Scholasticus and others, the Empress Helena The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a...
perhaps given at this point, has an inscription recording their donation and apparently their portraits on the ends of the arms on the reverse. However the religious policy of the couple was controversial. According to John of Ephesus and Michael the Syrian
Michael the Syrian
Michael the Syrian , also known as Michael the Great or Michael Syrus or Michael the Elder, to distinguish him from his nephew, was a patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church from 1166 to 1199. He is best known today as the author of the largest medieval Chronicle, which he composed in Syriac...
, husband and wife were both initially monophysites who converted to Chalcedonean Christianity to gain favor with their uncle Justinian. During their reign, they attempted a failed reconciliation of Chalcedonian
Chalcedonian
Chalcedonian describes churches and theologians which accept the definition given at the Council of Chalcedon of how the divine and human relate in the person of Jesus Christ...
and Monophysitic
Monophysitism
Monophysitism , or Monophysiticism, is the Christological position that Jesus Christ has only one nature, his humanity being absorbed by his Deity...
Christianity which ended in renewed persecution of the latter. Meanwhile their own beliefs were still in question.
Regent
Justin reportedly suffered from temporary fits of insanity and was unable to perform his duties as early as the fall of DaraDara (Mesopotamia)
Dara or Daras was an important East Roman fortress city in northern Mesopotamia on the border with the Sassanid Empire. Because of its great strategic importance, it featured prominently in the Roman-Persian conflicts of the 6th century, with the famous Battle of Dara taking place before its walls...
to Khosrau I
Khosrau I
Khosrau I , also known as Anushiravan the Just or Anushirawan the Just Khosrau I (also called Chosroes I in classical sources, most commonly known in Persian as Anushirvan or Anushirwan, Persian: انوشيروان meaning the immortal soul), also known as Anushiravan the Just or Anushirawan the Just...
of the Sassanid Empire
Sassanid Empire
The Sassanid Empire , known to its inhabitants as Ērānshahr and Ērān in Middle Persian and resulting in the New Persian terms Iranshahr and Iran , was the last pre-Islamic Persian Empire, ruled by the Sasanian Dynasty from 224 to 651...
in November, 573. According to Gregory of Tours
Gregory of Tours
Saint Gregory of Tours was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours, which made him a leading prelate of Gaul. He was born Georgius Florentius, later adding the name Gregorius in honour of his maternal great-grandfather...
, sole power of the Empire at this point was assumed by Sophia. Evagrius Scholasticus
Evagrius Scholasticus
Evagrius Scholasticus was a Syrian scholar and intellectual living in the 6th century AD, and an aide to the patriarch Gregory of Antioch. His surviving work, Ecclesiastical History, comprises a six-volume collection concerning the Church's history from the First Council of Ephesus to Maurice’s...
reports that Sophia managed to conclude a three-year truce with Khosrau on her own. But as a Regent she would require supporters and she picked Tiberius II Constantine
Tiberius II Constantine
Tiberius II Constantine was Byzantine Emperor from 574 to 582.During his reign, Tiberius II Constantine gave away 7,200 pounds of gold each year for four years....
as her colleague in power. He was Comes
Comes
Comes , plural comites , is the Latin word for companion, either individually or as a member of a collective known as comitatus, especially the suite of a magnate, in some cases large and/or formal enough to have a specific name, such as a cohors amicorum. The word comes derives from com- "with" +...
Excubitorum (Commander of the Excubitors
Excubitors
The Excubitors were founded in circa 460 AD as the imperial guards of the early Byzantine emperors. Their commanders soon acquired great influence and provided a series of emperors in the 6th century...
).
According to the chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor
Theophanes the Confessor
Saint Theophanes Confessor was a member of the Byzantine aristocracy, who became a monk and chronicler. He is venerated on March 12 in the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Church .-Biography:Theophanes was born in Constantinople of wealthy and noble iconodule parents: Isaac,...
, Tiberius was officially appointed Caesar
Caesar (title)
Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator...
by Justin on 7 December 574. He was also adopted
Adoption in Ancient Rome
In ancient Rome, adoption of boys was a fairly common procedure, particularly in the upper senatorial class. The need for a male heir and the expense of raising children were strong incentives to have at least one son, but not too many children. Adoption, the obvious solution, also served to...
by Justin and thus became his appointed heir.
John of Ephesus records that Sophia and Tiberius found themselves arguing over their financial policies as effective co-regents. With Sophia pursuing the decreasing of royal expenses while Tiberius argued for the necessity of their increase. Particularly for military expenses.
The Ecclesiastic history of John of Ephesus and the chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor both consider Sophia planning to marry Tiberius herself at this point. His current marriage to Ino Anastasia
Ino Anastasia
Ino , renamed Aelia Anastasia was the Empress consort of Tiberius II Constantine of the Byzantine Empire, and Augusta from 578 until her death.-Early life and marriages:...
seen as an offense to her. Ino and her daughters Constantina and Charito were not allowed to enter the Great Palace of Constantinople
Great Palace of Constantinople
The Great Palace of Constantinople — also known as the Sacred Palace — was the large Imperial Byzantine palace complex located in the south-eastern end of the peninsula now known as "Old Istanbul", modern Turkey...
. They were instead settled in the palace of Hormisdas, residence of Justinian I
Justinian I
Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of...
prior to his elevation to the throne. According to John of Ephesus, Tiberius joined them every evening and returned to the Great Palace every morning. Sophia also refused to let the ladies at court visit Ino and her daughters as a token of respect to them.
Ino eventually left Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
in favor of Daphnudium, her previous residence. According to John of Ephesus, Tiberius left Constantinople to visit Ino when she fell sick. Her daughters are assumed to have joined her in her departure from the capital.
In September 578, Justin II appointed Tiberius as his co-emperor. On 5 October 578, Justin was dead and Tiberius became the sole Emperor. According to John of Ephesus, Sophia sent Patriarch Eutychius of Constantinople
Patriarch Eutychius of Constantinople
Eutychius , considered a saint in the Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions, was the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 552 to 565, and from 577 to 582. His feast is kept by the Byzantine Church on 6 April, and he is mentioned in the Catholic Church's "Corpus Iuris"...
to Tiberius to convince him to divorce Ino, and offering both herself and her adult daughter Arabia as prospective brides for the new Emperor. Tiberius refused. Sophia was no longer the Empress consort, though still an 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...
.
Widowed Augusta
Sophia retained her rank as Augusta and continued to hold a section of the palace for herself. Meanwhile her rival Ino Anastasia was also proclaimed an Augusta. The situation was not to her liking and John of Ephesus records further arguments over financial policy. Gregory of Tours records that Sophia took part in a conspiracy to depose Tiberius and replace him with another JustinianJustinian (general)
Justinian was an East Roman aristocrat and general, and a member of the ruling Justinian dynasty. As a soldier, he had a distinguished career in the Balkans and in the East against Sassanid Persia...
, younger brother of the Justin
Justin (consul 540)
Flavius Mar Petrus Theodorus Valentinus Rusticius Boraides Germanus Iustinus, commonly simply Iustinus was an East Roman aristocrat and general, who was appointed as one of the last Roman consuls in 540....
murdered in Alexandria.
Tiberius reacted by taking hold of much of her property, dismissing her loyal servants and appointing replacements loyal to him. However her rank and presence in the palace remained. Theophanes records that in 579, Sophia retired to the Sophiai, a palace built in her honor. He describes her as holding her own minor court and honored as mother of Tiberius.
On 14 August 582, Tiberius died. He was succeeded by Maurice
Maurice (emperor)
Maurice was Byzantine Emperor from 582 to 602.A prominent general in his youth, Maurice fought with success against the Sassanid Persians...
, a general betrothed to Constantina. Maurice had been a choice of Sophia. Gregory of Tours reporting that she had planned to marry him and regain the throne. The marriage of Constantina and Maurice took place in Autumn 582. The ceremony was performed by Patriarch John IV of Constantinople
Patriarch John IV of Constantinople
John IV , also known as John Nesteutes or John the Faster, was the 33rd bishop or Patriarch of Constantinople . He was the first to assume the title Ecumenical Patriarch...
and is described in detail by Theophylact Simocatta
Theophylact Simocatta
Theophylact Simocatta was an early seventh-century Byzantine historiographer, arguably ranking as the last historian of Late Antiquity, writing in the time of Heraclius about the late Emperor Maurice .-Life:His history of the reign of emperor Maurice is in eight books...
. Constantina was proclaimed an Augusta while both Sophia and Anastasia also kept the same title. John of Ephesus mentions all three Augustas residing in the Great Palace, which would mean either that her retirement was temporary or that Theophanes misreported her status.
Anastasia was the first of the three ladies to die. Theophanes places her death in 593. Constantina seems to have enjoyed better relations with Sophia than her mother did. Theophanes records them to have jointly offered a precious crown
Crown (headgear)
A crown is the traditional symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a deity, for whom the crown traditionally represents power, legitimacy, immortality, righteousness, victory, triumph, resurrection, honour and glory of life after death. In art, the crown may be shown being offered to...
as an Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
present to Maurice in 601. He accepted their gift but then ordered it hang over the altar of Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey...
as his own tribute to the church. Which according to Theophanes was taken an insult by both Augustas and caused a rift in the marriage.
The Easter of 601 was also the last time Sophia was mentioned in our sources. Whether she survived to see the deposition of Maurice in 602 is unclear.
Sources
- Garland, Lynda. Byzantine empresses: women and power in Byzantium, AD 527-1204. London, Routledge, 1999.
- Continuité des élites à Byzance durante les siècles obscurs. Les princes caucasiens et l'Empire du VIe au IXe siècle, 2006
External links
- The article about Sittas in the Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire
- The article about Dulcidius in the Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire
- The article about Dulcidius in the Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire
- Page from "The Art of the Byzantine Empire, 312-1453" by Cyril Mango (1972), quotting Theophanes on the burial of Justus
- Her profile, along with her family, in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley