List of Roman and Byzantine empresses

Empresses played significant roles in Roman and Byzantine history, serving as powerful figures alongside their imperial husbands. Here is a list of notable Roman and Byzantine empresses:

Livia Drusilla - The wife of Emperor Augustus, Livia was influential in the early Roman Empire and known for her political acumen.
Theodora - The wife of Emperor Justinian I, Theodora was a formidable empress who exerted great influence during the Byzantine Empire.
Pulcheria - The sister of Emperor Theodosius II, Pulcheria was a powerful empress regent who played a key role in the early Byzantine Empire.
Irene of Athens - Irene was the only female Byzantine ruler in her own right, reigning as empress regnant from 797 to 802.
Theophanu - Theophanu was a Byzantine empress who married Emperor Otto II of the Holy Roman Empire, becoming a prominent figure in both empires.

These empresses left a lasting impact on Roman and Byzantine history, showcasing the significant roles women played in the imperial courts of the time.