Theodora 2 was a native of Ebissa (χωρίον Ἔβισσαν) in Paphlagonia: Theoph. Cont. III 5 (p. 89). A native of Paphlagonia: Leo Gramm. 213, Georg. Mon. Cont. 790, Ps.-Symeon 625, Zon. XV 25. 16 (τῇ ἐκ Παφλαγονίας Θεοδώρᾳ), 26. 1 Τῇ δὲ βασιλίσσῃ πατρὶς ἦν ἡ χώρα τῶν Παφλαγόνων). She was the daughter of Marinos 10 and Theoktiste 1: Theoph. Cont. III 5 (pp. 89-90), Zon. XV 26. 1 (πατέρες δ' αὐτῃ Μαρῖνος καὶ Θεοκτίστη). Manuel 6 was her paternal uncle: Theoph. Cont. IV 1 (p. 148). She had Armenian ancestry, since Manuel was of Armenian origins. She was sister of Petronas 5: Leo Gramm. 216, 228, Georg. Mon. Cont. 793, 810, Ps.-Symeon 627, Theoph. Cont. IV 22 (p. 174), 25 (p. 179), Scyl., p. 98, Zon. XV 25. 26 (οὗτος δ' ἦν σύγγονος τῆς Αὐγούστης, καλούμενος Πετρωνᾶς), Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 525A (ὃς τοῦ αὐτοκράτορος θεῖος πρὸς μητρὸς ὢν - describing Petronas 5). She was also sister of the Kaisar Bardas 5: Ps.-Symeon 654, 677, Georg. Mon. Cont. 815, Theoph. Cont. III 39 (p. 137), IV 20 (p. 171), 22 (p. 174), 25 (p. 179), Scyl., pp. 95, 98, Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 504A (Θεοδώρας μὲν τῆς ἀγαθῆς βασιλίδος ἀδελφὸς ἦν). She had three sisters, Kalomaria 1, Sophia 1 and Eirene 4: Theoph. Cont. IV 22 (pp. 174-175), Scyl., p. 98. One sister, name unknown (Anonyma 4), was given in marriage by the emperor Theophilos 5 to the fugitive from Persia, Theophobos 1: Leo Gramm. 215, Georg. Mon. Cont. 793, Ps.-Symeon 626. Through her sisters' marriages she was related to Konstantinos 30 Baboutzikos, Arsaber 5 and the family of the patriarch Photios (see Photios 1).

Theodoroa 2 was one of the girls summoned to the bride show arranged for the benefit of the new emperor Theophilos (Theophilos 5) by his (step)mother, the empress Euphrosyne 1; he selected her and crowned her himself in the Oratory of St Stephen: Leo Gramm. 213, Georg. Mon. Cont. 790, Ps.-Symeon 624-625, Zon. XV 25. 11-20. Wife of the emperor Theophilos (Theophilos 5): Theoph. Cont. IV 1 (p. 148), Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 500B (εἰς Θεοδώραν δὲ τὴν εὐσεβεστάτην βασιλίδα, τὴν τιμιωτάτην τῶν γυναικῶν καὶ πιστοτάτην, περιέστη τὰ τῆς ἀρχῆς, of Theophilos 5), Vita Nic. Stud. 901B, Vita Method. 1253A, Chron. 1234 ¤225 (II, p. 35). Styled Augusta: Leo Gramm. 215, 216, Georg. Mon. Cont. 793, 810, 815, Ps.-Symeon 626, 629, 654, Theoph. Cont. III 5 (p. 89), 13 (p. 103), IV 6 (p. 153), seal (see below), Zon. XV 25. 26. She bore the emperor a son, Michael 11: Theoph. Cont. III 5 (pp. 89-90), 18 (p. 108), IV 1 (p. 148), Leo Gramm. 222, 228, 250, Georg. Mon. Cont. 810-811, Ps.-Symeon 637 (dated in the tenth year of Theophilos), 684, Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 500C (υἱὸς), Vita Nic. Stud. 901B, Vita Method. 1253A, Chron. 1234, ¤225 (II, p. 35). She also bore him five daughters, Anastasia 2, Anna 2, Maria 4, Poulcheria 1 and Thekla 1: Leo Gramm. 237, Georg. Mon. Cont. 823, Ps.-Symeon 628, 658, Theoph. Cont. III 5 (pp. 89-90), 18 (p. 107), Zon. XV 26. 4.

Theodora 2 is recorded on a seal: Oikonomides, Dated Seals, p. 57, no. 48A. The obverse has a bust of the emperor Theophilos 5 and the inscription: Θεόφιλος βασιλε<ύς >. The reverse has the inscription: Θεοτο - κε βοηθ<ει> Θε - οδωρας αυ - γουστης. The seal is dated during her husband's reign and after she became augusta in 830, therefore between 830 and 842; cf. Oikonomides, Dated Seals, p. 57.

After her husband's death (in 842) Theodoroa 2 ruled jointly with her son (Michael 11) for fifteen years; she had been a secret supporter of the iconophiles and once her husband was dead she took steps with Theoktistos 3 to expel the patriarch Ioannes 5 and install in his place Methodios 1, recalling from exile all those banished by Theophilos 5: Leo Gramm. 228, Georg. Mon. Cont. 811, Ps.-Symeon 647-649 (fourteen years), 650, Theoph. Cont. IV 2 (pp. 150- 151) (she restored icon veneration with Manuel 6), Zon. XVI 1. 2, 1. 8-12, Vita Method. 1253A (joint ruler with Michael 11 in succession to Theophilos 5), Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 500C (she supported the appointment of Methodios 1), Vita Nic. Stud. 901B-C, Synax. Hilarion. Dalmat. (BHG 2177b) 733/734, 50-52 (recalled exiles in 843). A secret iconophile under Theophilos 5: Ps.-Symeon 629- 630, Theoph. Cont. III 6 (pp. 91-92) (cf. Denderis 1), 13 (p. 103) (cf. Lazaros 2), Zon. XV 26. 11-16. She allegedly claimed that Theophilos 5 had repented of his iconoclast views on his death-bed: Ps.-Symeon 651, Theoph. Cont. IV 4-6 (pp. 152-154) (she was addressing the Council of bishops which restored the veneration of icons in 843), Zon. XVI 1. 13-16, Acta Davidis, Symeonis et Georgii 245, 17, Vita Irenae Chrysobalanton (BHG 952) p. 6, 4-8, 2 (and cf. Ioannes 240, Methodios 1, Symeon 13 and Ioannikios 2).

Described as pious and orthodox, Theodoroa 2 succeeded Theophilos 5 as ruler and with the support of Methodios 1 restored the veneration of icons: Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 500B-C (εἰς Θεοδώραν δὲ τὴν εὐσεβεστάτην βασιλίδα, τὴν τιμιωτάτην τῶν γυναικῶν καὶ πιστοτάτην, περιέστη τὰ τῆς ἀρχῆς, of Theophilos 5), Vita S. Evaristi 6 (p. 301), Vita S. Theophylacti 18, Vita Irenae Chrysobalanton (BHG 952) pp. 2, 12-4, 22. In 847 she allowed the translation of the relics of the patriarch Nikephoros 2 to Hagia Sophia and then to the Holy Apostles: Oratio de Exilio II 10-16 (PG 100, 163-165). When her son Michael 11 became emperor she took control of the government; she ordered the restoration of icons throughout the empire: Chron. 1234, ¤225 (II, p. 35). Wife of Theophilos 5, mother of Michael 11; after her husband's death she and her son took over the empire; she restored the display and veneration of icons; she ordered the recall of all exiles and the release of all who were in prison for their support for icons and ordered that they gather in Constantinople; at the assembled Council the restoration of icon veneration was proclaimed and the iconoclast patriarch Ioannes 5 was deposed: Vita Mich. Sync. 25. She agreed to the return to the monastery of the Chora of the buildings and fields confiscated by the emperor Constantine V (Konstantinos 7): Vita Mich. Sync. 32. She is recorded on an imperial seal together with her son and her daughter Thekla 1: Zacos and Veglery 54 (dateable to 842 or 843; the text reads: Μιχαὴλ καὶ Θεόδωρα καὶ Θέκλα ἐκ Θεοῦ βασιλεῖς Ῥωμαίων), cf. 55 (dateable between 843 and 856; the text reads: Μιχαὴλ βασιλεὺς Ῥωμαίων; Θεόδωρα δέσποινα). She arranged the marriage of her son to Eudokia 3, daughter of Dekapolites 1, rather than to Eudokia 2, daughter of Inger 1, with whom he was in love; she and her adviser, Theoktistos 3, disapproved of Eudokia 3 as too brazen: Leo Gramm. 229-230, Georg. Mon. Cont. 816, Ps.-Symeon 655.

Theodora 2 is alleged in one (unreliable) source to have arranged a bride-show for her son Michael III (Michael 11), at which Irene of Chrysobalanton was present: Vita Irenae Chrysobalanton (BHG 952) pp. 8, 3-11; 14, 11-13.

When introduced by Michael 11 to Basilios 7 (the future emperor Basil I) Theodora 2 is said to have warned the emperor that Basilios 7 would overthrow their dynasty: Ps.-Symeon 657, Georg. Mon. Cont. 821, Leo Gramm. 234- 235, cf. Theoph. Cont. V 15 (p. 233) (she saw him at an imperial banquet and identified him as the man who would overthrow their dynasty, from the description of such a man told her previously by her husband Theophilos 5).

As regent Theodora 2 apparently established garrisons (ταξατιῶνα ἐποιήσατο) on the frontier with the Bulgars, in response to Bulgar raids, which in turn raided the Bulgars and kept them inside their own lands: Leo Gramm. 235, Georg. Mon. Cont. 821, Ps.-Symeon 657. She sent an embassy to them under Bryennios 2 early in her reign: Vita S. Evaristi 7 (p. 301). She was bitterly angry over the murder of Theoktistos 3, and publicly disclosed the contents of the imperial treasury to try to prevent her son and brother from misusing them: Theoph. Cont. IV 20 (pp. 171-172), Scyl., pp. 95-96. A very pious lady, she was made to look ridiculous by the emperor's favourite, Grylos (Theophilos 8), who disguised himself as the patriarch Ignatios 1 to fool her; she was then still living in the palace: Theoph. Cont. IV 39 (pp. 201- 202) (the date was no later than 858), V 23 (pp. 246-247). After the murder of Theoktistos 3 she fell out with her son Michael 11 and lost power; she rejected all attempts at reconciliation and was finally exiled to the monastery of Ta Gastria; there she plotted against Bardas 5 but her plan was discovered and her co-conspirators punished: Leo Gramm. 236-237, Georg. Mon. Cont. 823, Ps.-Symeon 657-658. In 858 she and her daughters were ordered by Michael 11 to be imprisoned in the palace of Karianos and tonsured (apparently in the aftermath of the Gebon affair; cf. Gebon 1): Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 505B (ὁ δὲ παραχρῆμα τὴν μητέρα καὶ τὰς ἀδελφὰς καταγαγὼν, ἐν τοῖς Καριανοῦ λεγομένοις ἀπενεχθῆναι κελεύει καὶ καρῆναι). According to the version in Theophanes Continuatus, she was overthrown when on a visit to the church and baths at Blachernai; her brother Petronas 5, sent by Michael 11 and Bardas 5, seized her and they had her tonsured with her daughters and confined in the palace of Karianos; their property was confiscated and they were only allowed to live as private citizens: Theoph. Cont. IV 22 (p. 174), Scyl., pp. 97-98.

Outraged at the murder of Theoktistos 3 and herself the object of plots by Bardas 5, she retired from the palace having first publicly revealed the contents of the imperial treasury to the senate, to protect the reputation of her administration: Zon. XVI 2. 34-38. She and her daughters were tonsured by Michael 11 and Bardas 5 and confined in the palace of Karianos; their property was confiscated; later Theodora 2 retired to live in a monastery and, according to Zonaras, died soon afterwards: Zon. XVI 3. 4-5. She and Poulcheria 1 were sent to Ta Gastria and the other three daughters to Ta Karianou: Vita Theodorae (BHG 1731) p. 15. Her downfall occurred about the time when her son Michael 11 reached manhood: Theoph. Cont. IV 23 (p. 176), Vita Nic. Stud. 906B. In 866, shortly before Bardas 5 was murdered, Theodora 2 gave him a cloak which was decorated with partridges and was too short for him, both omens of misfortune: Theoph. Cont. IV 42 (pp. 206-207).

Theodora 2 was still alive when her son Michael 11 was murdered (23 September 867); she apparently was then living in the palace of Anthemios: Leo Gramm. 250, 252, Georg. Mon. Cont. 836, 838, Ps.-Symeon 684, 686. Theodora 2 eventually died during the reign of Basilios 7, who transferred her body to the monastery of Ta Gastria, where her daughters were also sent to live: Theoph. Cont. IV 22 (p. 174), Scyl., pp. 97-98.

Theodora 2 was the wife of the emperor Theophilos 5, she was made to swear by him that she would not change his policy on icons nor expel Ioannes 5 as patriarch of Constantinople: Genesius III 15. Unnamed wife of Theophilos 5, she owned a merchant ship which Theophilos 5 ordered to be destroyed with its cargo in order to avoid the taint of avarice: Genesius III 20.

Mother of Michael III (Michael 11) and wife of Theophilos 5; Theodora 2 exercised the imperial power with her son, aided by Theoktistos 3 and Manuel 6: Genesius IV 1. She was inclined to support the restoration of icons but was reluctant to change her husband's policies, in spite of protests from her mother and her brothers; eventually, after urging from Manuel 6, she gave way: Genesius IV 2. She ordered the blinding of Ioannes 5 on hearing that he had had icons in his monastery prison mutilated, but was persuaded by her advisers to change the punishment to two hundred lashes: Genesius IV 4.

Sister of Kale Maria (Kalomaria 1); Theodora 2 tried in vain to save Theoktistos 3 when he fell victim to a plot by Bardas 5; she rushed to the Lausiakon, but was told to return home by one of the Melissenoi: Genesius IV 9. This event ended the harmony between Theodora 2 and her son Michael 11 and shortly afterwards she was expelled from the palace with her daughters; she went to live in the monastery of Ta Gastria and assumed the garb of a nun; once her fate became clear she convened the senate and disclosed the contents of the imperial treasury to them: Genesius IV 11. She was a sister of Bardas 5 and of Petronas 5: Genesius IV 15.

Theodora 2 was the mother of the emperor Michael III (Michael 11); she administered the empire for her son, who was three years old when he became emperor: Bar Hebr., p. 140. In the year 1172 Sel. (860/861) she sent an army to Cilicia and subdued the whole district of Anazarbos; because the empire was ruled by a woman the Arabs held the Romans in contempt and broke the peace: Bar Hebr., p. 142.

See also references in Synax. Eccl. Const. 458, 27-460, 8 (11 Feb.); 455/456, 53 (10 Feb.); 131, 16; 159, 8; 244, 17; 326, 10; 332, 44; 347, 21; 444, 27; 521, 3; 533, 15; 583, 20; 733, 50; 777, 15; 936, 36.

See further PmbZ 7286 and ODB II 2037.

(Publishable link for this person: )