Page "Irene of Athens" Paragraph 3

On 14 January 771, Irene gave birth to a son, the future Constantine VI.

When Constantine V died in September 775, Leo was to succeed to the throne at the age of twenty-five years.

Leo, though an iconoclast, pursued a policy of moderation towards iconodules, but his policies became much harsher in August 780, when a number of courtiers were punished for icon-veneration.

According to tradition, he discovered icons concealed among Irene's possessions and refused to share the marriage bed with her thereafter.

Nevertheless, when Leo died on 8 September 780, Irene became regent for their nine-year old son Constantine.