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AetiosAdvisor to the Byzantine Empress Irene
Country:
 Bulgaria |
Content:
- A Trusted Advisor to Empress Irene
- Rivalries and Conspiracies
- Early Career
- Irene's Downfall and Aëtios' Reversal
- Eliminating Rivals
- Aëtios' Ascendance
- Staurakios' Intrigues and Aëtios' Triumph
- Military Victories and Defeat
- Imperial Aspirations
- Irene's Overthrow and Aëtios' Fate
A Trusted Advisor to Empress Irene
A Byzantine eunuch of noble descent, Aëtios emerged as one of the most influential advisors to Empress Irene of Athens, the first woman to reign the Byzantine throne independently.
Rivalries and Conspiracies
Aëtios' ambition to be Irene's sole counselor and his desire to install his relatives as successors led to intense rivalry with the chief minister Staurakios, also a eunuch. After Staurakios' death, Aëtios became second in power only to Irene. He plotted to place his uncastrated brother, Leo, on the throne, but lost power and influence after Irene's overthrow in 802.
Early Career
Aëtios first appears in historical records in 790, when he became a confidant of Irene, then empress mother and regent for her young son Constantine VI. He received the Byzantine title of Protospatharios.
Irene's Downfall and Aëtios' Reversal
In 790, Irene attempted to usurp Constantine's imperial rights, prompting a military uprising and Constantine's establishment as sole ruler. Irene was confined to the palace in Constantinople, and her advisors, including Aëtios, were exiled. Aëtios and other eunuchs regained their positions in 792, when Irene returned to power as co-ruler with her son.
Eliminating Rivals
Seeking sole power, Irene had Constantine VI blinded in 797, leading to his death. To eliminate potential rivals to the throne, all male relatives of the former emperor were either blinded and exiled or forcibly ordained. Aëtios played a significant role in these political machinations.
Aëtios' Ascendance
Henceforth, Irene shared her favor between Aëtios and Staurakios. The bitter feud between the two Byzantine patricians culminated in May 799 when the empress fell seriously ill. Aëtios, with the support of the guard commander Niketas Triphyllios, accused Staurakios to Irene of plotting to seize the throne. Summoning his once-favored minister, Irene vehemently denounced him, and Staurakios fled the capital with a plea for mercy, fearing Irene's preferred method of retribution: blinding.
Staurakios' Intrigues and Aëtios' Triumph
Staurakios attempted to regain Irene's favor through bribery and military support for a possible coup. Aëtios, appointed as strategos of the Anatolic Theme, forbade the military from communicating with Staurakios in February 800. Staurakios, gravely ill, died in June 800. The uprising was swiftly and brutally suppressed, leaving Aëtios as the most powerful figure at court.
Military Victories and Defeat
He likely inherited Staurakios' position as logothete, retained control of the Anatolic Theme, and added the command of the Opsician Theme. Aëtios led the army to victory against the Arabs in 800, but suffered a defeat in 801.
Imperial Aspirations
In 801-802, Aëtios appointed his brother Leo as Monostrategos of Thrace and Macedonia, effectively placing two-thirds of the imperial troops under his control. Aëtios hoped to make Leo the successor to Irene. According to Theophanes the Confessor, Aëtios ruled in Irene's name but intended to usurp power for his brother.
Irene's Overthrow and Aëtios' Fate
Charlemagne proposed a marital alliance to unite the empires in 802, which Irene contemplated, but Aëtios advised her against it. Aëtios' plans for his brother were thwarted when the powerful logothete Nikephoros orchestrated a successful coup, deposing Irene and proclaiming himself emperor. Irene was sent to a monastery, where she eventually died. Aëtios' fate is unknown, but a patrician of the same name reportedly died in the Battle of Pliska in 811, fighting against the Bulgars.
