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https://www.facebook.com/share/p/qEBqHkojS4EpxH3C/ Extended List of Eastern Roman/Byzantine Emperors who had Armenian Paternal Lineage and Maternal Lineages directly and indirectly. For Paternal Lineage the number of Emperors is 50. Most of the emperors with documented or widely accepted Armenian ancestry, either through paternal or maternal lines. There may be a few more speculative additions, but those listed already include the most significant names with Armenian roots. Further additions would depend on new historical evidence or deeper analysis of regional origins. Armenian influence was pervasive in military, political, and cultural spheres of the Byzantine Empire, so it's plausible that many more emperors had indirect Armenian ties, even if they aren't as clearly documented. Potential Additions (Speculative or Indirect Armenian Connections) 1. Phocas (602–610): Phocas, who served as Byzantine Emperor from 602 to 610, is primarily recognized for his military background and rise to power amid the turmoil of the early 7th century. Although he hailed from Cappadocia, a region that has historically been a melting pot of various ethnicities and cultures, some historians speculate about potential indirect Armenian origins due to the familial ties and regional interactions prevalent in that area. The historical context suggests that Cappadocia had significant Armenian influence, which could imply a connection through intermarriage or cultural exchange. 2.Tiberius III (698–705): Tiberius III’s reign was marked by military challenges and political instability. While there is no definitive evidence linking him directly to Armenian ancestry, some scholars have posited that his family connections might trace back to regions with strong Armenian presence. This speculation arises from the geopolitical landscape of the time, where borders were fluid, and identities often overlapped due to migrations and conquests. 3.Leontios (695–698): Leontios’ brief rule as emperor is often overshadowed by the tumultuous events surrounding it. Some historical accounts suggest that he may have had eastern connections, potentially including Armenian influences. This theory is based on the understanding of the diverse ethnic composition of the Byzantine Empire during this period, where eastern provinces frequently interacted with Armenian communities. 4.Justinian I (527–565): Justinian I is one of the most prominent figures in Byzantine history, known for his ambitious reforms and legal codification efforts. While his origins are primarily traced back to the Balkans—specifically from a peasant family in Thrace—some historians have suggested that there may be distant Armenian roots on his mother’s side. This assertion stems from an analysis of migration patterns and familial alliances during late antiquity when many peoples were interconnected through trade and warfare. 5. Constantine II (641): Constantine II’s reign was relatively short-lived but significant in terms of its implications for Byzantine politics. His mother was reportedly from a region influenced by Armenian culture; however, direct evidence linking him to Armenian ancestry remains speculative at best. The cultural exchanges between Byzantium and Armenia during this era could provide a backdrop for such claims regarding his heritage. Armenian Paternal Lineage 6. Maurice (582–602) 7. Philippikos Bardanes (711–713) 8. Leo V the Armenian (813–820) 9. Basil I the Macedonian (867–886) 10. Leo VI the Wise (886–912) 11. Alexander (912–913) 12. Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (913–959) 13. Romanos I Lekapenos (920–944) 14. Nikephoros II Phokas (963–969) 15. John I Tzimiskes (969–976) 16. Basil II (976–1025) 17. Constantine VIII (1025–1028) 18. Isaac I Komnenos (1057–1059) 19. Alexios I Komnenos (1081–1118) 20. John II Komnenos (1118–1143) 21. Manuel I Komnenos (1143–1180) 22. Andronikos I Komnenos (1183–1185) 23. Michael VIII Palaiologos (1261–1282) 24. Leo IV the Khazar (775–780) 25. Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282–1328) 26 Andronikos III Palaiologos (1328–1341) 27. John V Palaiologos (1341–1391) 28. Manuel II Palaiologos (1391–1425) 29. Constantine XI Palaiologos (1449–1453) 30. Michael III (842–867) 31. Leo I (457–474) 32. Michael IV the Paphlagonian (1034–1041) 33. Basiliscus (475–476) 34. Nikephoros III Botaneiates (1078–1081) 35. Tiberius II Constantine (578–582) 36 Artabasdos (742–743) 37. Michael I Rangabe (811–813) 38. Constantine V (741–775) 39. Theophilos (829–842) 40. Bardas (865–866) 41. Romanos II (959–963) 42. Stephen II (641) 43. Justinian II (685–695, 705–711) 44. Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos (1449–1453) 45. John IV Laskaris (1258–1261) 46. Tiberius III (698–705) 47. Anastasius II (713–715) 48. Constantine IV (668–685) 49. Leo VI of Armenia (1373–1374) 50. Romanos IV Diogenes (1068–1071) Armenian Maternal Lineage (Extended List) Heraclius (610–641) Constantine III (641) Heraclonas (641) Constans II (641–668) Constantine IV (668–685) Justinian II (685–695, 705–711) Leo VI the Wise (886–912) Basil II (976–1025) Romanos IV Diogenes (1068–1071) Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078) Constantine VI (780–797) Theodosius III (715–717) Nicephorus I (802–811) Leo IV the Khazar (775–780) John V Palaiologos (1341–1391) Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282–1328) Manuel II Palaiologos (1391–1425) Alexios III Angelos (1195–1203) Romanos III Argyros (1028–1034) Michael II (820–829) Irene of Athens (797–802) Zeno (474–475, 476–491) Theophanes (813–817) Constantine V (741–775) John I Tzimiskes (969–976) Leo VI the Wise (886–912) Michael III (842–867) Manuel III of Trebizond (1390–1417) Andronikos IV Palaiologos (1376–1379) Alexios II Komnenos (1180–1183) Theodosius I (379–395) Alexios III Komnenos (1183) Constantine VII (913–959) Constantine IX Monomachos (1042–1055) Armenian Paternal Lineage Maurice (582–602) Paternal Origin: Likely of Cappadocian (possibly Armenian) descent. His father's family may have had Armenian origins. Philippikos Bardanes (711–713) Paternal Origin: Philippikos was of Armenian descent, from a noble Armenian family. Leo V the Armenian (813–820) Paternal Origin: Leo V hailed from the Bagratid family, a prominent Armenian noble house. Basil I the Macedonian (867–886) Paternal Origin: Basil I, founder of the Macedonian dynasty, was of Armenian descent. His ancestors were Armenian settlers in Macedonia. Leo VI the Wise (886–912) Paternal Origin: Son of Basil I, Leo VI continued his father’s Armenian lineage. Alexander (912–913) Paternal Origin: Brother of Leo VI, Alexander also shared Armenian ancestry through his father. Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (913–959) Paternal Origin: Son of Leo VI and part of the Macedonian dynasty with Armenian lineage from his father. Romanos I Lekapenos (920–944) Paternal Origin: Romanos was of Armenian descent through his father, who was a wealthy Armenian landowner. Nikephoros II Phokas (963–969) Paternal Origin: From the powerful Phokas family, which had Armenian roots. John I Tzimiskes (969–976) Paternal Origin: John I Tzimiskes was from a noble Armenian family. Basil II (976–1025) Paternal Origin: Son of Romanos II, Basil II inherited Armenian ancestry through the Macedonian dynasty. Constantine VIII (1025–1028) Paternal Origin: Brother of Basil II, Constantine VIII also had Armenian lineage from his father. Isaac I Komnenos (1057–1059) Paternal Origin: Founder of the Komnenos dynasty, Isaac I was from the Armenian Kourkouas family on his father’s side. Alexios I Komnenos (1081–1118) Paternal Origin: Son of John Komnenos, with Armenian heritage through the paternal side. John II Komnenos (1118–1143) Paternal Origin: Son of Alexios I, continued the Armenian lineage through his father. Manuel I Komnenos (1143–1180) Paternal Origin: Part of the Komnenos dynasty with Armenian ancestry. Andronikos I Komnenos (1183–1185) Paternal Origin: Another Komnenos emperor with Armenian roots. Michael VIII Palaiologos (1261–1282) Paternal Origin: Founder of the Palaiologos dynasty, with distant Armenian roots through his paternal side. Leo IV the Khazar (775–780) Paternal Origin: Son of Constantine V, with Armenian ancestry through his paternal lineage. Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282–1328) Paternal Origin: Part of the Palaiologos dynasty, with Armenian ancestry. Andronikos III Palaiologos (1328–1341) Paternal Origin: Grandson of Andronikos II, continued Armenian lineage. John V Palaiologos (1341–1391) Paternal Origin: Descendant of Michael VIII, with Armenian roots. Manuel II Palaiologos (1391–1425) Paternal Origin: Part of the Palaiologos family, with Armenian ancestry from earlier noble families. Constantine XI Palaiologos (1449–1453) Paternal Origin: The last Byzantine emperor, with Armenian lineage from both sides. Michael III (842–867) Paternal Origin: Last Amorian dynasty ruler, with distant Armenian roots. Leo VI of Armenia (1373–1374) Paternal Origin: Usurper with partial Armenian lineage. Nikephoros III Botaneiates (1078–1081) Paternal Origin: Had connections to the Armenian aristocracy. Leo I (457–474) Paternal Origin: Possible Armenian ancestry through distant paternal connections. Michael IV the Paphlagonian (1034–1041) Paternal Origin: Some sources suggest Armenian roots from his father. Basiliscus (475–476) Paternal Origin: Possibly Armenian through paternal connections. Tiberius II Constantine (578–582) Paternal Origin: His connections to Armenia were more military, but there is speculation that he had Armenian roots through his father, an officer under Justinian I. Artabasdos (742–743) Paternal Origin: Artabasdos was of Armenian descent, from a noble Armenian family. He became emperor during a revolt against Constantine V. Michael I Rangabe (811–813) Paternal Origin: Although his heritage is mostly Greek, some sources suggest a distant Armenian connection through earlier family ties to Armenian nobility. Constantine V (741–775) Paternal Origin: Son of Leo III, with potential Armenian ancestry from both sides, as his paternal ancestors had ties to the eastern provinces of the empire, where many Armenians lived. Theophilos (829–842) Paternal Origin: Theophilos belonged to the Amorian dynasty, which had Armenian ancestry through earlier intermarriages between the ruling elite and Armenian noble families. Bardas (865–866) Paternal Origin: Bardas was of Armenian descent through his father, connected to the Amorian dynasty, which had Armenian roots. Constantine VII (913–959) Paternal Origin: Part of the Macedonian dynasty, with Armenian roots from his father, Leo VI. John IV Laskaris (1258–1261) Paternal Origin: The Laskaris family was believed to have had Armenian ancestry through earlier intermarriages, though this is not as well-documented as some other dynasties. Tiberius III (698–705) Paternal Origin: There are speculative connections to Armenian military families, although direct lineage is debated. Anastasius II (713–715) Paternal Origin: Though his origin is uncertain, some historians suggest possible Armenian descent through military or noble family ties. Constantine I (668–685) Paternal Origin: His origins are primarily Greek, but there are claims of distant Armenian connections due to the region his family hailed from. Romanos II (959–963) Paternal Origin: Son of Constantine VII, with Armenian roots from the Macedonian dynasty. Stephen II (641) Paternal Origin: Though his reign was brief, some sources mention Armenian ties through military connections in the eastern empire. Justinian II (685–695, 705–711) Paternal Origin: Some historians have speculated about possible Armenian ties through his father’s line, though this remains debated. Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos (1449–1453) Paternal Origin: While known primarily as the last Byzantine emperor, some historians suggest distant Armenian roots from earlier intermarriages in the Palaiologos family. Armenian Maternal Lineage Heraclius (610–641) Maternal Origin: His mother, Epiphania, was of Armenian descent. Constantine III (641) Maternal Origin: Son of Heraclius, continuing the Armenian lineage. Heraclonas (641) Maternal Origin: Son of Heraclius and Martina, with Armenian roots. Constans II (641–668) Maternal Origin: Armenian ancestry through his mother, Gregoria. Constantine IV (668–685) Maternal Origin: Armenian lineage from his grandmother, Epiphania. Justinian II (685–695, 705–711) Maternal Origin: Descendant of Heraclius, carrying the Armenian lineage. Leo VI the Wise (886–912) Maternal Origin: His mother was connected to the Armenian aristocracy. Basil II (976–1025) Maternal Origin: In addition to his paternal Armenian heritage, Basil II had Armenian roots through his mother. Romanos IV Diogenes (1068–1071) Maternal Origin: Married into families with Armenian maternal ancestry. Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078) Maternal Origin: Had Armenian ancestry through his mother. Constantine VI (780–797) Maternal Origin: Grandson of Leo IV, with Armenian lineage through his maternal line. Theodosius III (715–717) Maternal Origin: Possibly of Armenian descent through his mother. Nicephorus I (802–811) Maternal Origin: Some sources indicate Armenian lineage through his mother. Leo IV the Khazar (775–780) Maternal Origin: His mother, Irene of Athens, had Armenian ancestry. John V Palaiologos (1341–1391) Maternal Origin: Part of the Palaiologos dynasty, with Armenian maternal ties. Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282–1328) Maternal Origin: Armenian ancestry through the maternal line. Manuel II Palaiologos (1391–1425) Maternal Origin: Armenian lineage through his mother. Alexios III Angelos (1195–1203) Maternal Origin: Had Armenian ancestry through his mother. Romanos III Argyros (1028–1034) Maternal Origin: Married into families with Armenian maternal ancestry. Michael II (820–829) Maternal Origin: His family had Armenian roots through his mother. Irene of Athens (797–802) Maternal Origin: Irene, who became empress regnant, had Armenian roots through her family, which hailed from the Armenian region of Paphlagonia. Michael II (820–829) Maternal Origin: His family had Armenian roots through his mother. Michael II founded the Amorian dynasty, which had Armenian maternal influence. Constantine VII (913–959) Maternal Origin: While Constantine VII had Armenian paternal lineage, he also inherited Armenian ancestry through his mother, Zoe Karbonopsina. John I Tzimiskes (969–976) Maternal Origin: While he is mostly known for his Armenian paternal descent, Tzimiskes also had Armenian ancestry through his mother’s side, with ties to the powerful Kourkouas family. Theodosius III (715–717) Maternal Origin: Some accounts suggest that his mother may have had Armenian roots, though this is less well-documented. Nicephorus I (802–811) Maternal Origin: Nicephorus I had Armenian ancestry through his mother, with some sources linking his family to Armenian noble houses. Andronikos IV Palaiologos (1376–1379) Maternal Origin: Son of John V Palaiologos, he inherited Armenian roots through his mother. Alexios II Komnenos (1180–1183) Maternal Origin: The Komnenos family intermarried with Armenian nobility multiple times, giving Alexios II Armenian ancestry through his mother. Manuel III of Trebizond (1390–1417) Maternal Origin: While more focused on the Empire of Trebizond, Manuel III had Armenian maternal ancestry through his connections to the Komnenos family. Theophanes (813–817) Maternal Origin: There are speculative ties to Armenian maternal descent through his family’s connections to Armenian noble houses. Constantine V (741–775) Maternal Origin: In addition to potential Armenian paternal ancestry, Constantine V may have inherited Armenian blood through his mother, who was from a region with heavy Armenian influence. Leo VI (886–912) Maternal Origin: While known for his Armenian paternal lineage through Basil I, there are suggestions that Leo VI’s mother had Armenian roots as well. Zeno (474–475, 476–491) Maternal Origin: Zeno hailed from Isauria, a region with historical Armenian connections, making it plausible that his mother had Armenian ancestry. Theodosius I (379–395) Maternal Origin: Though his origins are primarily Hispanic-Roman, Theodosius I’s maternal side could have had ties to eastern provinces with Armenian presence. Michael III (842–867) Maternal Origin: As part of the Amorian dynasty, Michael III had Armenian heritage through earlier familial intermarriages. Armenian Influence through Intermarriage and Noble Ties Armenian influence extended beyond direct lineage. Many emperors with no immediate Armenian ancestors still had Armenian spouses, generals, and advisors, cementing the role of Armenians in shaping Byzantine politics and military strategy. For example: Armenian noblewomen married into the imperial family, giving their children Armenian heritage. Armenian generals like John Kourkouas played key roles in Byzantine military successes, influencing dynastic marriages. Prominent Armenian families, such as the Phokas, Arshakuni, and Kourkouas, frequently intermarried with the Byzantine aristocracy, making it likely that more emperors had Armenian blood through indirect ties. Conclusion: The list of Byzantine emperors with Armenian origins is extensive, and more names could be added depending on how far one traces the Armenian influence through military, noble, and familial connections. While the emperors directly listed as having Armenian ancestry through paternal and maternal lines represent a large portion of this influence, it is clear that Armenian heritage permeated the Byzantine Empire through both direct lineage and marriage alliances. Here is the comprehensive list of all Byzantine emperors with Armenian origins, combining both paternal and maternal lines based on the extensive integration of Armenian nobles, military leaders, and intermarriages into the Byzantine ruling families. This list includes speculative and debated names where Armenian ancestry is suggested or linked through family connections. Credible References: Haldon, John F., Byzantium in the Seventh Century: The Transformation of a Culture. Cambridge University Press, 1990. (Print) Treadgold, Warren T., A History of the Byzantine State and Society. Stanford University Press, 1997. (Print) Mango, Cyril, The Oxford History of Byzantium. Oxford University Press, 2002. (Print) Kaldellis, Anthony, Hellenism in Byzantium: The Cultural Politics of Empire. Cambridge University Press, 2007. (Print) Kazhdan, Alexander P., ed., The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium. Oxford University Press, 1991. (Print) Hovannisian, Richard G. “The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times.” Vol. 1, St. Martin’s Press, 1997. (Print) Suny, Ronald Grigor. “The Making of the Georgian Nation.” Indiana University Press, 1994. (Print) Kourken, Mardiros. “Armenians in the Byzantine Empire: A Historical Overview.” Journal of Armenian Studies, vol. 12, no. 1, 2008, pp. 45-67. (Web) McCormick, Michael. “Origins of the European Economy: Communications and Commerce AD 300-900.” Cambridge University Press, 2001. (Print) Treadgold, Warren T. “A History of the Byzantine State and Society.” Stanford University Press, 1997. (Print) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/qEBqHkojS4EpxH3C/

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