Theophano Martiniake
Byzantine empress
About Theophano Martiniake
Lived 865 – 897 (aged 31–32). Theophano Martiniake was a Byzantine empress consort.
Theophano Martinakia (; 866/67 – 10 November 897) was a Byzantine empress by marriage to Leo VI the Wise. She is venerated as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Family Born in , she was a daughter of Constantine Martinakios and Anna. Her family, the Martinakioi, were related to the Amorian dynasty, which ruled the Byzantine Empire from 820 to 867.
Empress The chronicle of Symeon Metaphrastes places the marriage of Leo VI and Theophano in the sixteenth year of the reign of Basil I, that is, between September 882 and September 883. The marriage was arranged by Basil I and forced on Leo VI, and its eventual failure may have been influenced by the poor relation of father and son. Basil died on 29 August 886. Leo succeeded him to the throne and Theophano became his empress.
Symeon records Leo falling in love with Zoe Zaoutzaina in the third year of his reign . Zoe became his mistress and replaced Theophano in his affections. According to tradition, it was Leo who expanded the celebration on the Sunday following Pentecost from a commemoration of All Martyrs to a general commemoration of All Saints, whether martyrs or not.
Children Leo VI and Theophano only had one daughter, Eudokia (after Eudokia Ingerina), who died young. Eudokia was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles along with her father and mother.
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Important facts
Family & relationships
People in Theophano Martiniake's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Theophano Martiniake's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Theophano Martiniake?
Byzantine empress
When was Theophano Martiniake born?
Theophano Martiniake was born in 865 in Constantinople.
When did Theophano Martiniake die?
Theophano Martiniake died on 10 November 897 in Constantinople.
What was Theophano Martiniake's occupation?
Theophano Martiniake was an empress consort.
What nationality was Theophano Martiniake?
Theophano Martiniake was Byzantine.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Theophano Martiniake
· DBpedia: Theophano Martinakia
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Theophano Martiniake. https://biography.guide/theophano-martiniake/
MLA: "Theophano Martiniake." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/theophano-martiniake/.
Chicago: "Theophano Martiniake." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/theophano-martiniake/.
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