Theofano (née Anastasia) KRATERINA, Empress of Byzantium
- Born: 943
- Married (1): 957, Constantinople
- Married (2): 20 Sep 963, Constantinople
- Died: After 969
 Research Notes:
Theophanes Continuatus names "Anastasiam…Crateri filiam" as wife of "Romano filio suo" (referring to Emperor Konstantinos VII), stating that she adopted the name THEOFANO on her marriage. Cedrenus records that Romanos married secondly "genere…plebeio, ortam parentibus cauponibus…Anastasiam", adding that she adopted the name "Theophano". Leo Diaconus names "Theophano, obscuro loco nata" when recording that she was regent for "filii eius Basilius et Constantinus infantes" after the death of her first husband, recording her second marriage in a later passage.
Regent in 963 for her infant sons Emperors Basileios II and Konstantinos VII, they were set aside by Nikeforos Fokas who was crowned emperor and married Theofano as her second husband. Cedrenus records that "Nicephorus imperator" married "Theophanonem" 20 Sep after becoming emperor (in 963). Zonaras records that Nikeforos took "Theophanonen…cum liberis eius" with him when he invaded Cilicia in the second year of his reign.
She became the mistress of Ioannes Tzimiskes, and betrayed her husband. Cedrenus records that Patriarch Polyeuktes required Emperor Ioannes to send "Theophanonem" in "Proconnesum", but that she was rescued by "Basilio cubiculario" and sent "in provinciam Armenicam…in Damidis monasterium", while "mater…Theophanonis" was exiled "in Mantineum". 1
Marriage Information:
Theophano married Rómanos II MAMIKONIAN, Byzantine Emperor, son of Konstantinos VII Porphyrogen MAMIKONIAN, Byzantine Emperor, and Helena LEKAPÉNA, Empress of Byzantium, in 957 in Constantinople. (Rómanos II MAMIKONIAN was born in 938/9 in Constantinople and died on 15 Mar 963.)
Marriage Information:
Theophano also married Nikeforos II FOKAS, Emperor of Byzantium, son of Bardas FOKAS, Byzantine General, and Unnamed MALEINA, on 20 Sep 963. (Nikeforos II FOKAS died on 10 Dec 969.)
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