Theophano 1 was a native of Athens and a relative of the empress Eirene 1 (Θεοφανὼ τὴν Ἀθηναίαν, προσγενῆ τῆς μακαρίας Εἰρήνης); on 20 December 807, following a bride show arranged by the emperor Nikephoros I (Nikephoros 8), she was married to the emperor's son Staurakios 2; she was already betrothed to and living with another man (Anonymus 740) but the emperor took her away from him for his son: Theoph. AM 6300, Zon. XV 14. 19.

In 811, when Staurakios 2 was emperor, Theophano 1 was augusta; she was childless but allegedly hoped that she would become sole ruler of the empire, like Eirene 1, if he were to die from his wounds received in the great Roman defeat of 26 July 811; she apparently turned him against his sister, Prokopia 1, by accusing her of plotting against him (ταῖς Θεοφανοῦς τῆς αὐγούστης ὑποβολαῖς); when Staurakios 2 realised that his condition was hopeless, he allegedly planned that either Theophano 1 would succeed to the throne or else there would be mob-rule and anarchy (δημοκρατίαν ἐγεῖραι Χριστιανοῖς), prospects which united support behind Michael 7 and led to his proclamation: Theoph. AM 6303, cf. Zon. XV 16. 2 (Staurakios 2 schemed that Theophano 1 would reign after him). Following the proclamation of Michael 7 and the abdication of her husband (Staurakios 2), Theophano 1 became a nun; she and her relatives, who had fared badly under the emperor Nikephoros I (Nikephoros 8), were enriched by Michael 7, and a splendid palace was given to her for conversion into a nunnery; it was called Ta Hebraika and Staurakios 2 was buried there: Theoph. AM 6304, Zon. XV 17. 4 (on the monastery's name, see 17. 5-7).

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