Eudokia (empress)

Fabia Eudokia (sometimes written Eudocia, c. 580 - 13 August, 612) was a Byzantine Empress from 610 to 612. She was the first empress consort of Heraclius.

Family

She was a daughter of Rogas. The name of her father was recorded in the chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor. Rogas was a landowner in the Exarchate of Africa.

Empress

Her birth name was Fabia. She was bethrothed to Heraclius when the future Empire still resided in the Exarchate. The Exarch at the time was her father-in-law Heraclius the Elder.

Heraclius had started a revolt against Phocas in 608. Under unknown circumstances both Fabia and her mother-in-law Epiphania seem to have been captured by Phocas by 610. They spent their captivity in the monastery "Nea Metanoia" (New Repentance) and were used as hostages to prevent Heraclius from besieging Constantinople.

The two women were eventually released by members of the Green faction of Byzanrine chariot racing events. They were delivered to Heraclius in the island on the island of Calonymus (now Calomio). Leaving him free to launch his successful assault. The Excubitors defected to his side and thus allowed him to enter the city without serious resistance.

On 5 October, 610, Heraclius was proclaimed Emperor. On the same day they were married. She took the name Eudokia at this point. She was granted the title of Augusta.

They had two children.
*Eudoxia Epiphania, a daughter. Born on 7 July, 611. She was proclaimed Augusta on 4 October, 612.
* Heraclius Constantine, a son, who went on to be Emperor Constantine III. Born on 3 May, 612. Crowned co-emperor on 22 January, 613.

Death

Eudokia died on 13 August, 612. According to the "Chronographikon syntomon" of Ecumenical Patriarch Nikephoros I of Constantinople, the cause of death was epilepsy. According to Nikephoros, her funeral was accompanied with an incident revealing how popular she was with the general populace. A maidservant spat out of an upstairs window while the funeral procession was just below it. The coffin was still open and the saliva reached the robes of the corpse. The crowds took offense and the girl was promptly seized. Finishing her life in an execution by burning.

Eudokia was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles. Heraclius went on to marry his niece Martina.

External links

* [http://www.roman-emperors.org/fabia.htm An article on Fabia Eudokia by Lynda Garland]