Constantine VI
Constantine VI,
b. c.770, Byzantine emperor (780–97), son and successor of Leo IV. His mother, IreneIrene, c.750–803, Byzantine empress (797–802). She served (780–90) as regent for her son, Constantine VI, and later was made (792) joint ruler. Devoted to the Orthodox Church, she bent most of her efforts to suppressing iconoclasm.
..... Click the link for more information. , was regent until 790, when she was deposed by a military revolt. Constantine recalled her in 792 and made her joint ruler. His subsequent acts of cruelty and his divorce and immediate remarriage (795) alienated his supporters. In 797, Irene deposed her son, had him blinded, and assumed the imperial title. Constantine died in obscurity during the reign (820–29) of Michael IIMichael II
(Michael the Stammerer), d. 829, Byzantine emperor (820–29). A native of Phrygia, he fought with Emperor Leo V, whom he had helped gain the throne. Leo had him arrested for heading a conspiracy, but the plotters murdered Leo and raised Michael to the throne.
..... Click the link for more information. . In his minority the Second Council of NicaeaNicaea, Second Council of,
787, 7th ecumenical council, convened by Byzantine Empress Irene. Called to refute iconoclasm, the council declared that images ought to be venerated (but not worshiped) and ordered them restored in churches.
..... Click the link for more information. , which restored icon veneration, took place (787). Constantine fought indecisively against the Bulgarians and the Arabs.