Constantine VI, also known as Constantine "the Blinded”, was emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 780 to 797 CE, although for most of his reign his mother, Irene the Athenian, ruled as regent. When Constantine did finally get a go at ruling in his own right, he was anything but successful. Deposed by his own mother, Constantine was infamously blinded by her in the royal palace and, as was the intention, he died from his injuries.
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Definition
Timeline
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780 - 790Empress Irene rules as regent for Byzantine emperor Constantine VI.
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780 - 797Reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine VI (with Empress Irene as regent 780-790 CE).
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787Byzantine emperor Constantine VI marries Mary of Amnia.
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Sep 787The Ecumenical Council of Nicaea rules an end to iconoclasm in the Byzantine Christian Church.
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790Byzantine emperor Constantine VI exiles his mother and regent Empress Irene.
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795Constantine VI divorces Mary of Amnia and then marries his mistress Theodote, causing the so-called Moechian Controversy, which divides the Byzantine Church.
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797Byzantine empress Irene blinds and kills her son Constantine VI.
