13 Facts About Irene Doukaina

Irene Doukaina or Ducaena was a Byzantine empress by marriage to the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos.

Irene Doukaina was the mother of Emperor John II Komnenos and the historian Anna Komnene.

Irene Doukaina was initially heavily overshadowed and humiliated in influence and power by her mother-in-law Anna Dalassene, but after her retirement and death, Irene was able to exert increasing influence over her husband Alexios I Komnenos, and became powerful towards the end of his reign.

Irene Doukaina married Alexios in 1078, when she was still eleven years old.

Alexios' mother, Anna Dalassene, a lifelong enemy of the Doukas family, pressured her son to divorce the young Irene Doukaina and marry Maria of Alania, the former wife of both Michael VII and Nikephoros III.

Irene Doukaina was in fact barred from the coronation ceremony, but the Doukas family convinced the Patriarch of Constantinople, Kosmas I, to crown her as well, which he did one week later.

Irene Doukaina's face shone with the soft light of the moon; it was not the completely round face of an Assyrian woman, nor long, like the face of a Scyth, but just slightly oval in shape.

Irene Doukaina was shy and preferred not to appear in public, although she was forceful and severe when acting officially as empress.

Irene Doukaina preferred to perform her household duties, and enjoyed reading hagiographic literature and making charitable donations to monks and beggars.

Irene Doukaina often accompanied him on his expeditions, including the expedition against Prince Bohemund I of Antioch in 1107 and to the Chersonese in 1112.

Irene Doukaina frequently suggested that Alexios name Nikephoros and Anna as his heirs, over their own younger son John.

Irene Doukaina nursed Alexios on his deathbed on 1118, while at the same time still scheming to have Nikephoros and Anna succeed him.

Alexios had already promised the throne to John, and when John took his father's signet ring Irene Doukaina accused him of treachery and theft.