The Byzantine Empress Who Made a Necklace From 100 Tongues

The Byzantine Empress Who Made a Necklace From 100 Tongues (Of Her Enemies)

Did Empress Irene of Byzantium really wear a necklace made from 100 human tongues cut from her enemies' mouths? This medieval legend has haunted history for over 1,200 years. But the truth about the first woman to rule the Byzantine Empire alone is even more shocking than the myth.

In 797 AD, Irene did the unthinkable: she had her own son, Emperor Constantine VI, blinded to seize absolute power. She became the first woman in Byzantine history to rule with the masculine title "Emperor" (Basileus), not Empress. For five years, she controlled the richest empire on Earth through a combination of political genius and brutal methods.

🔍 IN THIS VIDEO:
The truth behind the "tongue necklace" legend
How an orphan from Athens became Byzantine Emperor
The shocking moment she ordered her son's eyes destroyed
Why the Orthodox Church made her a saint despite her crimes
The propaganda that turned her into a monster
How her reign split the Roman Empire forever
Was she more brutal than male emperors, or just held to a different standard?

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING: This video discusses historical violence including mutilation and political murder. Recommended for mature audiences (18+).

📚 HISTORICAL SOURCES:
This video is based on primary Byzantine sources including The Chronicle of Theophanes, academic works by Judith Herrin ("Women in Purple"), Warren Treadgold ("A History of the Byzantine State and Society"), and Lynda Garland ("Byzantine Empresses").

The "necklace of tongues" legend appears in later medieval Western European chronicles but has NO evidence in contemporary Byzantine sources. What IS documented: Irene did have her son blinded, ruled as sole "Emperor" (masculine title) from 797-802 AD, and was later canonized as a saint by the Orthodox Church.

🎬 FORGOTTEN QUEENS explores the true stories of powerful women erased, vilified, or mythologized by history. Subscribe for weekly videos about queens, empresses, and female rulers who defied their time.

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⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - The Tongue Necklace Legend
0:32 - Constantinople 797 AD
1:04 - The First Female "Emperor"
1:52 - Mother vs Son: The Power Struggle
2:40 - The Unthinkable Act
3:28 - Ruling Alone
4:32 - The Coup
5:20 - Death in Exile
5:52 - The Historical Debate
6:40 - Medieval Propaganda
7:28 - Truth vs Legend
8:00 - Final Verdict

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🎵 MUSIC:
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⚖️ DISCLAIMER:
This video presents historical events based on academic sources and primary chronicles. The "necklace of tongues" is identified as a medieval legend without historical evidence. All documented acts of violence are presented in historical context for educational purposes. This channel does not endorse or glorify violence.

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What do you think? Was Empress Irene a monster, or a victim of sexist medieval propaganda? Let us know in the comments below! 👑