Editing Irene of Athens (section)

==Final years==
[[File:Sarcofago Irene d'Atene.jpg|thumb|230x230px|Presumed sarcophagus of Empress Irene, currently in [[Hagia Sophia]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Syndikus|first1=Candida|last2=Rogge|first2=Sabine|title=Caterina Cornaro, Last Queen of Cyprus and Daughter of Venice Ultima Regina Di Cipro E Figlia Di Venezia|year=2013|isbn=9783830979074|page=335|publisher=Waxmann Verlag }}</ref>]]
In her four-and-a-half years of sole rule (797–802) Irene renewed diplomatic contact with the [[Franks]] and negotiated a tribute to [[Harun al-Rashid]] to cease hostilities, but also brutally crushed rebellions against her rule, blinding four of Constantine V's five sons. Irene's rule was popular due to her financial concessions, but weakened by factionalism, notably between two of her eunuch advisers, Staurakios and [[Aetios (eunuch)|Aetios]]. In 800, Aetios accused Staurakios of plotting against Irene, but he died before the matter was resolved.{{sfn|Brubaker|Haldon|2011|pp=293–294}}

In October 802, officers led by the minister of finance (''[[logothetēs tou genikou]]'') [[Nikephoros I|Nikephoros]] deposed Irene. They were motivated both by Irene's financial laxity and benevolent tax policy as well as by the implications of a marriage alliance with the Franks.{{sfn|Brubaker|Haldon|2011|pp=293–294}}{{sfn|Auzépy|2008|p=278}} On 31 October, Nikephoros was crowned "Nikephoros I" by Patriarch [[Tarasios of Constantinople]] in the [[Hagia Sophia]]. Irene was initially exiled to the nearby island of [[Büyükada|Prinkipo]], but was suspected of plotting with Aetios, and was soon banished to [[Lesbos]],{{sfn|Brubaker|Haldon|2011|pp=293–294}} where she supported herself by spinning [[wool]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} She died in Lesbos the following year, on 9 August 803; her remains were later moved to the [[Church of the Holy Apostles]] in Constantinople.{{sfn|Turner|2021|p=324}}{{sfn|ODB|p=1008–1009}}