In 780 Emperor Leo IV died of septicemia leaving his son Constantine VI as sole Emperor under the regency of his mother Irene.
However Irene was disliked by the Palace and military nobility for her gender and her devotion to Icons (she was an Iconophile) and soon a conspiracy was formed against her with Nikephoros and Christophoros (brothers of the late Leo IV) acting as conspiracy leader.
Irene discovered the plot accidentally when a disgruntled eunuch revealed it to her and she retaliated by exiling all nobles involved while the brothers of Leo IV where ordained as priests which barred them from succession.
WI Irene was ousted by this conspiracy and Nikephoros became co-Emperor to Constantine VI as planned? Would Iconoclasm continue or Nikephoros and Constantine would be forced to accept Iconophiles?
How is a surviving Constantine VI (without Irene) affects History? Would his reign still be disastrous or co-Emperor Nikephoros would handle all matters (Nikephoros had some experience in administration and military issues)?
However Irene was disliked by the Palace and military nobility for her gender and her devotion to Icons (she was an Iconophile) and soon a conspiracy was formed against her with Nikephoros and Christophoros (brothers of the late Leo IV) acting as conspiracy leader.
Irene discovered the plot accidentally when a disgruntled eunuch revealed it to her and she retaliated by exiling all nobles involved while the brothers of Leo IV where ordained as priests which barred them from succession.
WI Irene was ousted by this conspiracy and Nikephoros became co-Emperor to Constantine VI as planned? Would Iconoclasm continue or Nikephoros and Constantine would be forced to accept Iconophiles?
How is a surviving Constantine VI (without Irene) affects History? Would his reign still be disastrous or co-Emperor Nikephoros would handle all matters (Nikephoros had some experience in administration and military issues)?