List of Byzantine emperors

For Roman emperors before Constantine I, see List of Roman emperors.

Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans
Imperial
Last to reign Constantine XI 6 January 1449 – 29 May 1453
Details
First monarch	Constantine I
Last monarch	Constantine XI
Formation	11 May 330
Abolition	29 May 1453
Residence	Great Palace, Blachernae Palace
Appointer	Unspecified, de facto hereditary
Pretender(s)	None

The foundation of Constantinople in 330 AD marks the conventional start of the Eastern Roman Empire, which fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 AD. Only the emperors who were recognized as legitimate rulers and exercised sovereign authority are included, to the exclusion of junior co-emperors (symbasileis) who never attained the status of sole or senior ruler, as well as of the various usurpers or rebels who claimed the imperial title.

The following list starts with Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor, who rebuilt the city of Byzantium as an imperial capital, Constantinople, and who was regarded by the later emperors as the model ruler. Modern historians distinguish this later phase of the Roman Empire as Byzantine due to the imperial seat moving from Rome to Byzantium, the Empire's integration of Christianity, and the predominance of Greek instead of Latin.

The Byzantine Empire was the direct legal continuation of the eastern half of the Roman Empire following the division of the Roman Empire in 395. Emperors listed below up to Theodosius I in 395 were sole or joint rulers of the entire Roman Empire. The Western Roman Empire continued until 476. Byzantine emperors considered themselves to be Roman emperors in direct succession from Augustus; the term "Byzantine" became convention in Western historiography in the 19th century. The use of the title "Roman Emperor" by those ruling from Constantinople was not contested until after the papal coronation of the Frankish Charlemagne as Holy Roman emperor (25 December 800).

The title of all Emperors preceding Heraclius was officially "Augustus", although other titles such as Dominus were also used. Their names were preceded by Imperator Caesar and followed by Augustus. Following Heraclius, the title commonly became the Greek Basileus (Gr. Βασιλεύς), which had formerly meant sovereign, though Augustus continued to be used in a reduced capacity. Following the establishment of the rival Holy Roman Empire in Western Europe, the title "Autokrator" (Gr. Αὐτοκράτωρ) was increasingly used. In later centuries, the Emperor could be referred to by Western Christians as the "Emperor of the Greeks". Towards the end of the Empire, the standard imperial formula of the Byzantine ruler was "[Emperor's name] in Christ, Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans" (cf. Ῥωμαῖοι and Rûm).

Dynasties were a common tradition and structure for rulers and government systems in the Medieval period. The principle or formal requirement for hereditary succession was not a part of the Empire's governance; hereditary succession was a custom and tradition, carried on as habit and benefited from some sense of legitimacy, but not as a "rule" or inviolable requirement for office at the time.

Constantinian dynasty (306–363)

Main article: Constantinian dynasty

  (#) – Ambiguous legitimacy

Constantinian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Notes
	Constantine I "the Great" Flavius Valerius Constantinus	25 July 306 – 22 May 337 (30 years, 9 months and 27 days) West; then whole	Born at Naissus c. 272 as the son of the Augustus Constantius and Helena. Proclaimed Augustus of the western empire upon the death of his father on 25 July 306, he became sole ruler of the western empire after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. In 324, he defeated the eastern Augustus Licinius and re-united the empire under his rule, reigning as sole emperor until his death. Constantine completed the administrative and military reforms begun under Diocletian, who had begun ushering in the Dominate period. Actively interested in Christianity, he played a crucial role in its development and the Christianization of the Roman world, through his convocation of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea. He is said to have received baptism on his deathbed. He also reformed coinage through the introduction of the gold solidus, and initiated a large-scale building program, crowned by the re-foundation the city of Byzantium as "New Rome", popularly known as Constantinople. He was regarded as the model of all subsequent Byzantine emperors. His reign was marked by greater imperial control over the Eastern Church and the construction of new churches, especially at the holy places sacred to Christianity. To this day, Constantine is venerated as a saint by the eastern Orthodox church.
	Constantius II Flavius Julius Constantius	9 September 337 – 3 November 361 (24 years, 1 month and 25 days) East; then whole	Born on 7 August 317, as the second surviving son of Constantine I, he inherited the eastern third of Roman Empire upon his father's death, sole Roman Emperor from 353, after the overthrow of the western usurper Magnentius; after two years on the run, the latter committed suicide. Constantius' reign saw military activity on all frontiers, and dissension between Arianism, favoured by the emperor, and the "Orthodox" supporters of the Nicene Creed. In his reign, Constantinople was accorded equal status to Rome, and the original Hagia Sophia was built. Constantius appointed Constantius Gallus and Julian as Caesares, and died on his way to confront Julian, who had risen up against him.
	Julian "the Apostate" Flavius Claudius Julianus	3 November 361 – 26 June 363 (1 year, 7 months and 23 days)	Born in May 332 at Constantinople (the first emperor born there), Julian was the grandson of Constantius Chlorus and cousin of Constantius II. Proclaimed by his army in Gaul, he became the legitimate Emperor upon the death of Constantius. Julian has been described as the last pagan emperor of the Roman Empire and was generally opposed to Christianity. He was killed on campaign against Sassanid Persia, despite his initial success in surrounding the ancient city of Ctesiphon. For his adherence to the old Roman gods and rejection of the Christian faith, he became known as Julian the Apostate.
	Jovian Jovianus	27 June 363 – 17 February 364 (7 months and 21 days)	Born in c. 332, Jovian hailed from a military family and was captain of the guards (protector domesticus) under both Constantius II and Julian. He was elected by the army upon Julian's death. After assuming power, Jovian withdrew Roman forces from Persia and made an unpopular peace with them, which lasted until the early sixth-century. Following an autumn spent in Antioch, he died of natural causes in central Anatolia and was buried in Constantinople.

Valentinianic dynasty (364–392)

Main article: Valentinianic dynasty

  (#) – Ambiguous legitimacy

Valentinianic dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Notes
	Valentinian I "the Great" Valentinianus	25/26 February 364 – 17 November 375 (11 years, 8 months and 23 days) Whole; then West	Born in 321. An officer under Julian and Jovian, he was elected by the army upon Jovian's death. He soon appointed his younger brother Valens as Emperor of the East, while he himself ruled in the West. Died of cerebral haemorrhage in 375.
	Valens	28 March 364 – 9 August 378 (14 years, 4 months and 12 days; East)	Born in 328, Valens was not especially fit for the imperial office if Ammianus can be believed, but he was appointed Emperor of the East in 364 by his elder brother Valentinian I, who wanted a malleable colleague in the other half of the Empire. Following Valentinians's death in 375, his son Gratian succeeded him. Meanwhile, Valens faced the challenge of the invading Huns, whose ferocity pushed the Gothic tribes to seek refuge within the Empire; Valens allowed them to settle on the condition that they become allies to the Empire. When the Goths were mistreated at Roman hands and rebelled, Valens proceeded to face them without awaiting assistance from Gratian's armies and was killed at the Battle of Adrianople.
	Procopius (#)	28 September 365 – 27 May 366 (7 months and 29 days; East)	Maternal cousin of Julian; revolted against Valens and captured Constantinople, where the people proclaimed him emperor. Deposed, captured and executed by Valens

Theodosian dynasty (379–457)

Main article: Theodosian dynasty

  (#) – Ambiguous legitimacy

Theodosian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Notes
	Theodosius I "the Great"	19 January 379 – 17 January 395 (15 years, 11 months and 29 days) East; then whole	Born on 11 January 347 in Spain, Theodosius was an aristocrat and military leader, and later brother-in-law of Gratian, who appointed him as emperor of the East in 379 and gave him charge of Macedonia and Dacia. During his reign, Theodosius made Orthodox Christianity the official religion of the state. He reunited the whole Empire after defeating Eugenius at the Battle of the Frigidus, in September 394. Theodosius died of a fever at Milan in 395 and his two sons, Honorius and Arcadius, became the emperors of the West and East, splitting power between them.
	Arcadius	17 January 395 – 1 May 408 (13 years, 3 months and 14 days; East)	Born in 377/378, Arcadius was the eldest son of Theodosius I and upon the latter's death in 395, the Roman Empire was permanently divided between the Eastern Roman Empire—later referred to as the Byzantine Empire—and the Western Roman Empire with Arcadius becoming Byzantine emperor in the East while his younger brother Honorius became emperor in the West; both were manipulated by court officials and did not possess their father's leadership abilities. After contracting an illness, Arcadius died in 408.
	Theodosius II	1 May 408 – 28 July 450 (42 years, 2 months and 27 days; East)	Born on 10 April 401, he was the only son of Emperor Arcadius and Empress Aelia Eudoxia. Theodosius II succeeded the throne in 408 upon the death of his father. Because he was a minor, the praetorian prefect Anthemius was essentially regent from 408 to 414, but Theodosius II's elder sister Aelia Pulcheria played a critical role as regent and co-ruler during his early years. Pulcheria exerted considerable influence, shaping court policies and fostering Christian orthodoxy. Theodosius II was known for his mild and scholarly temperament. He had a keen interest in theology, astronomy, and calligraphy, and was reportedly well-educated, thanks to the influence of his sister Pulcheria. His long reign was marked by significant legal, administrative, and theological developments. One of the most enduring legacies of Theodosius II's reign was the construction of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople. These massive fortifications protected the city for over a millennium and are regarded as one of the greatest defensive structures of antiquity. Theodosius II strongly supported Nicene Christianity and convened the Council of Ephesus in 431 CE, which declared the Virgin Mary as Theotokos ("God-bearer") and condemned the theology of Nestorianism. He also commissioned the Theodosian Code, a comprehensive compilation of Roman laws published in 438; this codex organized and systematized the legal framework of the empire and influenced later European legal traditions. During his reign, he faced constant threats from the Huns of Attila and negotiated treaties with the them, paying substantial tributes to prevent invasions. He married Aelia Eudocia Augusta, a learned woman of Greek descent, who, like the emperor's sister Pulcheria, became an influential figure in the court. Their marriage produced one daughter, Licinia Eudoxia, who later married Valentinian III, the Western Roman Emperor. Theodosius II died in 450 CE from injuries sustained after falling off his horse while hunting. His death marked the end of a relatively peaceful and prosperous reign, though it left unresolved issues such as rising threats from external enemies and religious divisions.
	Marcian Marcianus	25 August 450 – 27 January 457 (6 years, 5 months and 2 days; East)	Born in 396. A soldier and politician, he became emperor after being wed by the Augusta Pulcheria, sister of Theodosius II, following the latter's death. Died of gangrene.

Leonid dynasty (457–518)

Main articles: Leonid dynasty and Byzantine Empire under the Leonid dynasty

Leonid dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Notes
	Leo I "the Butcher"	7 February 457 – 18 January 474 (16 years, 11 months and 11 days)	Born in Dacia c. 400, and of Bessian origin, Leo became a low-ranking officer and served as an attendant of the Gothic magister militum, Aspar, who chose him as emperor on Marcian's death. He was the first emperor to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople, and the first one to legislate in Greek. His reign was marked by the pacification of the Danube and peace with Persia, which allowed him to intervene in the affairs of the West, supporting candidates for the throne and dispatching an expedition to recover Carthage from the Vandals in 468. Initially a puppet of Aspar, Leo began promoting the Isaurians as a counterweight to Aspar's Goths, marrying his daughter Ariadne to the Isaurian leader Tarasicodissa (Zeno). With their support, in 471 Aspar was murdered and Gothic power over the army was broken.
	Leo II "the Younger"	18 January – November 474 (10 months)	Born 468, he was the grandson of Leo I by Leo's daughter Ariadne and her Isaurian husband, Zeno. He was raised to Augustus on 17 November 473. Leo ascended the throne after the death of his grandfather on 18 January 474. He crowned his father as co-emperor and effective regent on 29 January, dying shortly after.
	Zeno	29 January 474 – 9 January 475 (11 months and 11 days)	Born c. 425 in Isauria, originally named Tarasicodissa. As the leader of Leo I's Isaurian soldiers, he rose to comes domesticorum, married the emperor's daughter Ariadne and took the name Zeno, and played a crucial role in the elimination of Aspar and his Goths. He was named co-emperor by his son on 29 January 474 and became sole ruler upon the latter's death, but had to flee to his native country before Basiliscus in 475, regaining control of the capital in 476. Zeno concluded peace with the Vandals, saw off challenges against him by Illus and Verina, and secured peace in the Balkans by enticing the Ostrogoths under Theodoric the Great to migrate to Italy where the Gothic king ruled. Convincing Theodoric to move his Goths westward into Italy allowed Zeno to reduce what had been a drain to imperial resources, since these Germanic warriors had been exacting payments from the Empire throughout the 470s and 480s and menacing Eastern territories. As a consequence, Zeno's reign also saw the end of the western line of emperors. His pro-Monophysite stance made him unpopular and his promulgation of the Henotikon resulted in the Acacian Schism with the papacy.
	Basiliscus	9 January 475 – August 476 (1 year and 7 months) with Marcus (475–476)	General and brother-in-law of Leo I, seized power from Zeno and crowned himself emperor on 12 January. Zeno was restored soon after. Died in 476/477
	Zeno (second reign)	August 476 – 9 April 491 (14 years and 8 months)	Retook the throne with the help of general Illus. Saw the end of the Western Roman Empire. Died of dysentery or epilepsy
	Anastasius I "Dicorus"	11 April 491 – 9 July 518 (27 years, 2 months and 28 days)	Born c. 430 at Dyrrhachium, Anastasius was a palace official (silentiarius) when he was chosen as the husband and ultimately Emperor by Empress-dowager Ariadne. He was nicknamed "Dikoros" (Latin: Dicorus), because of his heterochromia. Apparently, there was some insistence from the citizenry of Constantinople that Zeno's successor was an Orthodox Christian, which caused Ariadne to turn to Anastasius in the first place. Anastasius reformed the tax system and the Byzantine coinage and proved a frugal ruler, so that by the end of his reign he left a substantial surplus. His Monophysite sympathies led to widespread opposition, most notably the Revolt of Vitalian and the Acacian Schism. His reign was also marked by the first Bulgar raids into the Balkans and by a war with Persia over the foundation of Dara. He died childless. Shortly before his death, he tried to devise a means for one of his three nephews to succeed him by placing a note that read Regnum under their beds, but when none of them chose that bed, he decided instead to name the first person he saw the following morning. Keeping true to his word, when Justin—commander of the imperial guards—entered his presence first that morning, he was pronounced as Anastasius's successor.

Justinian dynasty (518–602)

Main article: Byzantine Empire under the Justinian dynasty

Justinian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Notes
	Justin I Justinus	9/10 July 518 – 1 August 527 (9 years and 23 days)	Born c. 450 at Bederiana (Justiniana Prima), Dardania. Officer and commander of the Excubitors bodyguard under Anastasius I, he was elected by army and people upon the death of Anastasius I.
	Justinian I "the Great" Petrus Sabbatius Justinianus	1 April 527 – 14 November 565 (38 years, 7 months and 13 days)	Born in 482/483 at Tauresium (Taor) Macedonia, Justinian was the nephew of Justin I and was made consul in 521; he was elevated to co-emperor on 1 April 527, when Justin fell ill. He succeeded Justin I's as emperor upon the former's death. Through his mighty commanding general Belisarius, Justinian was able to regain North Africa, as well as much of Italy and Spain; these were territories that had been seized and occupied previously by various Germanic tribes (Vandals and Goths) at the former Western Roman Empire's expense. He carried out a massive building program throughout the Empire, including construction of the famous Hagia Sophia at Constantinople. Justinian was also responsible for the corpus juris civilis, or the "body of civil law," which is the foundation of law for many modern European nations.
	Justin II Justinus	14 November 565 – 5 October 578 (12 years, 10 months and 21 days)	Born c. 520. Nephew of Justinian I, he seized the throne on the death of Justinian I with support of army and Senate. Became insane, hence in 573–574 under the regency of his wife Sophia, and in 574–578 under the regency of Tiberius Constantine.
	Tiberius II Constantine Tiberius Constantinus	26 September 578 – 14 August 582 (3 years, 10 months and 19 days)	Born c. 535, commander of the Excubitors, friend and adoptive son of Justin. Was named Caesar and regent in 574. Succeeded on Justin II's death.
	Maurice Mauricius Tiberius	13 August 582 – 27 November 602 (20 years, 3 months and 14 days) with Theodosius (590–602)	Born in 539 at Arabissus, Cappadocia. Maurice became an official and later a general of the Byzantine army in the East under Tiberius II, achieving notable successes against the Sassanian Empire during the Byzantine–Sassanian War of 572–591. He married the daughter of Tiberius II and was proclaimed emperor on 13 August 582 after Tiberius II's death. Maurice fought wars against the Sassanian kingdom on the eastern front of his empire, the Avars and Slavs for control over the Balkans, and reinforced Byzantine holdings in Ravenna and Carthage. He is best remembered for his contributions to Byzantine military theory, notably his treatise Strategikon, a manual on warfare. Maurice named his son Theodosius as co-emperor in 590. Deposed by a centurion named Phocas, he was captured and executed on 27 November 602 along with his family at Chalcedon.
	Phocas Focas	23 November 602 – 5 October 610 (7 years, 10 months and 12 days)	Subaltern in the Balkan army, he led a rebellion that deposed Maurice. Increasingly unpopular and tyrannical, he was deposed and executed by Heraclius.

Heraclian dynasty (610–695)

Main article: Byzantine Empire under the Heraclian dynasty

Heraclian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Heraclius    Ἡράκλειος	5 October 610 – 11 February 641 (30 years, 4 months and 6 days)	Son of Heraclius the Elder, the exarch of Carthage. Led a revolt against Phocas	574/575 – 11 February 641 (aged 66) Ended the Persian Wars, but suffered the loss of the Levant to the Muslims. Died of natural causes
	Heraclius Constantine (Constantine III) Heraclius Constantinus Ἡράκλειος Κωνσταντῖνος	11 February – 25 May 641 (3 months and 14 days)	Son of Heraclius; co-emperor since 22 January 613	3 May 612 – 25 May 641 (aged 29) Died of tuberculosis
	Heraclonas Heraclius, Ἡράκλειος	25 May – 5 November (?) 641 (5 months and 11 days) with Tiberius-David, son of Heraclius (641)	Son of Heraclius; co-emperor since 4 July 638. Co-ruler with Constantine and then sole emperor under the regency of his mother Martina	626 – unknown Deposed, mutilated and exiled, subsequent fate unknown
	Constans II "the Bearded" Constantinus, Κωνσταντῖνος	September 641 – 15 July 668 (26 years and 10 months)	Son of Heraclius Constantine; proclaimed co-emperor by Heraclonas at age 11	7 November 630 – 15 July 668 (aged 37) Lost Egypt in 641. Murdered in Sicily while bathing by supporters of Mezezius
	Constantine IV Constantinus, Κωνσταντῖνος	September 668 – 10 July (?) 685 (16 years and 10 months) with Heraclius and Tiberius, sons of Constans II (659–681)	Son of Constans II; co-emperor since 13 April 654	Roughly 650 – 10 July (?) 685 (aged about 35) Defeated the First Arab Siege of Constantinople. Died of dysentery
	Justinian II "Rhinotmetus" Justinianus, Ἰουστινιανός	July 685 – 695 (10 years)	Son of Constantine IV	668/669 – 4 November 711 (aged 42) Deposed and mutilated (hence his nickname, "Slit-nosed") by Leontius in 695; returned to the throne in 705

Twenty Years' Anarchy (695–717)

Main article: Twenty Years' Anarchy

Twenty Years' Anarchy

Portrait	Name	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Leontius Λέων(τιος)	695 – 698 (3 years)	General; deposed Justinian II	Unknown – 15 February (?) 706 Lost Africa & Carthage to the Muslims. Deposed by Tiberius III in 698 and later executed by Justinian II in 706
	Tiberius III Τιβέριος	698 – 21 August (?) 705 (7 years)	General; proclaimed emperor by the troops against Leontius	Unknown – 15 February (?) 706 Deposed and later executed by Justinian II alongside Leontius
	Justinian II "Rhinotmetus" Justinianus, Ἰουστινιανός (second reign)	21 August (?) 705 – 4 November 711 (6 years, 2 months and 14 days) with Tiberius, son of Justinian II (706–711)	Retook the throne with the aid of the Khazars	668/669 – 4 November 711 (aged 42) Killed by supporters of Philippicus after fleeing Constantinople
	Philippicus Filepicus, Φιλιππικός	4 November 711 – 3 June 713 (1 year, 6 months and 30 days)	General; proclaimed emperor by the troops against Justinian II	Unknown – 20 January 714/715 Deposed and blinded in favor of Anastasius II, later died of natural causes
	Anastasius II Artemius Anastasius Ἀρτέμιος Ἀναστάσιος	4 June 713 – fall 715 (less than 2 years)	Senior court official, proclaimed emperor after the deposition of Philippicus	Unknown – 1 June 719 Abdicated to Theodosius III after a six-month civil war, becoming a monk. Beheaded by Leo III after an attempt to retake the throne
	Theodosius III Θεοδόσιος	Fall 715 – 25 March 717 (less than 2 years)	Tax-collector, possibly son of Tiberius III; proclaimed emperor by the troops against Anastasius II	Unknown lifespan Deposed by Leo III, whereafter he became a monk. His subsequent fate is unknown.

Isaurian (Syrian) dynasty (717–802)

Main article: Byzantine Empire under the Isaurian dynasty

  (#) – Ambiguous legitimacy

Isaurian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Leo III "the Isaurian" Λέων	25 March 717 – 18 June 741 (24 years, 2 months and 24 days)	General; deposed Theodosius III	c. 685 – 18 June 741 (aged approx. 56) Ended Muslim expansion in Anatolia. Died of dropsy
	Constantine V "Copronymus" Κωνσταντῖνος	18 June 741 – 14 September 775 (34 years, 2 months and 27 days)	Son of Leo III; co-emperor since 31 March 720	718 – 14 September 775 (aged 57) Last emperor to rule over Rome. Died of a fever
	Artabasdos (#) Ἀρτάβασδος	June 741 – 2 November 743 (2 years and 5 months) with Nikephoros, son of Artabasdos (741–743)	Husband of Anna, a daughter of Leo III. Revolted against Constantine V and briefly ruled at Constantinople	Unknown lifespan Deposed and blinded by Constantine V, relegated to a monastery where he died of natural causes
	Leo IV "the Khazar" Λέων	14 September 775 – 8 September 780 (4 years, 11 months and 25 days)	Son of Constantine V; co-emperor since 6 June 751	25 January 750 – 8 September 780 (aged 30) Died of a fever
	Constantine VI Κωνσταντῖνος	8 September 780 – 19 August 797 (16 years, 11 months and 11 days)	Son of Leo IV; co-emperor since 14 April 776	14 January 771 – before 805 (aged less than 34) Last emperor to be recognized in the West. Deposed, blinded and exiled by Irene
	Irene Εἰρήνη	19 August 797 – 31 October 802 (5 years, 2 months and 12 days)	Widow of Leo IV and former regent of Constantine VI. Became co-ruler in 792. Dethroned and blinded her son Constantine in 797, becoming the first female ruler of the empire	c. 752 – 9 August 803 (aged approx. 51) Deposed by Nikephoros I and exiled to Lesbos, where she died of natural causes

Nikephorian dynasty (802–813)

Main article: Byzantine Empire under the Nikephorian dynasty

Nikephorian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Nikephoros I "the Logothete" Νικηφόρος	31 October 802 – 26 July 811 (8 years, 8 months and 26 days)	Court official; proclaimed emperor in opposition to Irene	c. 760 – 26 July 811 (aged approx. 51) Killed at the Battle of Pliska
	Staurakios Σταυράκιος	28 July – 2 October 811 (2 months and 4 days)	Son of Nikephoros I; co-emperor since 25 December 803. Proclaimed emperor after the death of his father	790s – 11 January 812 (in his late teens) Wounded at Pliska; abdicated in favor of Michael I and became a monk
	Michael I Rangabe Μιχαὴλ	2 October 811 – 11 July 813 (1 year, 9 months and 9 days) with Theophylact and Staurakios, sons of Michael I (811–813)	Husband of Prokopia, a daughter of Nikephoros I	c. 770 – 11 January 844 (aged approx. 74) Abdicated in 813 in favor of Leo V after suffering a defeat at the Battle of Versinikia and retired as a monk
	Leo V "the Armenian" Λέων	11 July 813 – 25 December 820 (7 years, 5 months and 14 days) with Constantine Symbatios (813–820)	General; proclaimed emperor after the Battle of Versinikia	c. 775 – 25 December 820 (aged approx. 45) Murdered while in church by supporters of Michael II

Amorian dynasty (820–867)

Main article: Byzantine Empire under the Amorian dynasty

  (§) – Varying ascribed status

Amorian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Michael II "the Amorian" Μιχαὴλ	25 December 820 – 2 October 829 (8 years, 9 months and 7 days)	General sentenced to execution by Leo V; proclaimed emperor by Leo V's assassins and crowned by Patriarch Theodotus I on the same day	c. 770 – 2 October 829 (aged approx. 59) Saw the beginning of the Muslim conquest of Sicily. Died of kidney failure
	Theophilos Θεόφιλος	2 October 829 – 20 January 842 (12 years, 3 months and 18 days) with Constantine (c. 834–835)	Son of Michael II; co-emperor since 12 May 821	812/813 – 20 January 842 (aged 30) Died of dysentery
	Theodora (§) Θεοδώρα	20 January 842 – 15 March 856 (14 years, 1 month and 24 days) with Thekla (842–856)	Widow of Theophilos; ruler in her own right during the minority of their son Michael III	c. 815 – c. 867 (aged approx. 52) Deposed by Michael III in 856, later died of natural causes
	Michael III "the Drunkard" Μιχαὴλ	20 January 842 – 24 September 867 (25 years, 8 months and 4 days)	Son of Theophilos; co-emperor since 16 May 840. Ruled under his mother's regency until 15 March 856	19 January 840 – 24 September 867 (aged 27) The youngest emperor. Murdered by Basil I and his supporters

Macedonian dynasty (867–1056)

Main articles: Macedonian dynasty, Lekapenos, and Byzantine Empire under the Macedonian dynasty

Macedonian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Basil I "the Macedonian" Βασίλειος	24 September 867 – 29 August 886 (18 years, 11 months and 5 days) with Constantine (868–879)	General; proclaimed co-emperor by Michael III on 26 May 866 and became senior emperor after Michael's murder	811, 830 or 836 – 29 August 886 (aged approx. 50, 56 or 75) Captured Bari in 876 & Taranto in 880. Died after a hunting accident
	Leo VI "the Wise" Λέων	29 August 886 – 11 May 912 (25 years, 8 months and 12 days)	Son of Basil I or illegitimate son of Michael III; crowned co-emperor on 6 January 870	19 September 866 – 11 May 912 (aged 45) Conquered Southern Italy but lost the remnants of Sicily in 902. Died of an intestinal disease
	Alexander Αλέξανδρος	11 May 912 – 6 June 913 (1 year and 26 days)	Son of Basil I; co-emperor since September or October 879	23 November 870 – 6 June 913 (aged 42) Died of illness, possibly testicular cancer
	Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus Κωνσταντῖνος	6 June 913 – 9 November 959 (46 years, 5 months and 3 days)	Son of Leo VI; co-emperor since 15 May 908. Successively dominated by regents and co-emperors until 27 January 945, when he deposed Romanos I's sons	17/18 May 905 – 9 November 959 (aged 54) Saw the beginning of renewed expansion in the East against the Arabs. Remembered for his numerous writings. Died of natural causes
	Romanos I Lekapenos Ῥωμανὸς	17 December 920 – 20 December 944 (24 years and 3 days) with Christopher (921–931), Stephen and Constantine Lekapenos (924–945)	Overthrew Constantine VII's regency, married him to his daughter Helena and was made senior co-emperor. Made several sons co-emperors to curb Constantine VII's authority	c. 870 – 15 June 948 (aged approx. 78) Deposed by his sons Stephen and Constantine. Died of natural causes in exile as a monk
	Romanos II Ῥωμανὸς	9 November 959 – 15 March 963 (3 years, 4 months and 6 days)	Son of Constantine VII and grandson of Romanos I; co-emperor since 6 April 945	938 – 15 March 963 (aged 24/25) Reconquered Crete in 961. Died of exhaustion on a hunting trip
	Nikephoros II Phokas Νικηφόρος	16 August 963 – 11 December 969 (6 years, 3 months and 25 days)	General; proclaimed emperor on 2 July 963 against the unpopular Joseph Bringas (regent for the young sons of Romanos II), entered Constantinople on 16 August 963. Married Theophano, the widow of Romanos II	c. 912 – 11 December 969 (aged approx. 57) Reconquered Cilicia & Antioch. Murdered in a conspiracy involving his former supporters (including John I Tzimiskes) and Theophano
	John I Tzimiskes Ἰωάννης	11 December 969 – 10 January 976 (6 years and 30 days)	Nephew of Nikephoros II, took his place as senior co-emperor	c. 925 – 10 January 976 (aged approx. 50) Reconquered Eastern Thrace from the First Bulgarian Empire. Possibly poisoned by Basil Lekapenos
	Basil II "the Bulgar-Slayer" Βασίλειος	10 January 976 – 15 December 1025 (49 years, 11 months and 5 days)	Son of Romanos II; co-emperor since 22 April 960, briefly reigned as senior emperor in March–August 963. Succeeded as senior emperor upon the death of John I	958 – 15 December 1025 (aged 67) The longest-reigning emperor; best known for his reconquest of Bulgaria. Died of natural causes
	Constantine VIII Κωνσταντῖνος	15 December 1025 – 12 November 1028 (2 years, 10 months and 28 days)	Son of Romanos II and brother of Basil II; co-emperor since 30 March 962	960 – 12 November 1028 (aged 68) De jure longest-reigning emperor. Died of natural causes
	Romanos III Argyros Ῥωμανὸς	12 November 1028 – 11 April 1034 (5 years, 4 months and 30 days)	Husband of Zoë, a daughter of Constantine VIII	c. 968 – 11 April 1034 (aged approx. 66) Temporarily reconquered Edessa in 1031. Possibly drowned on Zoë's orders
	Michael IV "the Paphlagonian" Μιχαὴλ	12 April 1034 – 10 December 1041 (7 years, 7 months and 28 days)	Lover of Zoë, made emperor after their marriage following Romanos III's death	c. 1010 – 10 December 1041 (aged approx. 31) Died of epilepsy
	Michael V "Kalaphates" Μιχαὴλ	13 December 1041 – 21 April 1042 (4 months and 8 days)	Nephew and designated heir of Michael IV, proclaimed emperor by Zoë three days after Michael IV's death	c. 1015 – unknown Deposed in a popular uprising after attempting to sideline Zoë, blinded and forced to become a monk
	Zoë Porphyrogenita Ζωή	21 April – 11 June 1042 (1 month and 21 days)	Daughter of Constantine VIII and widow of Romanos III and Michael IV. Ruled in her own right from Michael V's deposition until her marriage to Constantine IX.	c. 978 – 1050 (aged approx. 72) Died of natural causes
	Theodora Porphyrogenita Θεοδώρα	21 April – 11 June 1042 (1 month and 21 days)	Daughter of Constantine VIII and sister of Zoë, proclaimed co-empress during the revolt that deposed Michael V	c. 980 – 31 August 1056 (aged approx. 76) Sidelined after Zoë's marriage to Constantine IX, returned to the throne in 1055
	Constantine IX Monomachos Κωνσταντῖνος Μονομάχος	11 June 1042 – 11 January 1055 (12 years and 7 months)	Husband of Zoë, crowned the day after their marriage	c. 1006 – 11 January 1055 (aged approx. 49) Died of natural causes
	Theodora Porphyrogenita Θεοδώρα (second reign)	11 January 1055 – 31 August 1056 (1 year, 7 months and 20 days)	Claimed the throne again after Constantine IX's death as the last living member of the Macedonian dynasty	c. 980 – 31 August 1056 (aged approx. 76) Died of natural causes
	Michael VI Bringas "Stratiotikos" Μιχαήλ	22 August 1056 – 30 August 1057 (1 year and 8 days)	Proclaimed emperor by Theodora on her deathbed	980s/990s – c. 1057 (in his sixties) Deposed in a revolt, retired to a monastery and died soon afterwards
	Isaac I Komnenos Ἰσαάκιος Κομνηνός	1 September 1057 – 22 November 1059 (2 years, 2 months and 21 days)	General, proclaimed emperor on 8 June 1057 in opposition to Michael VI	c. 1007 – 31 May/1 June 1060 (aged approx. 53) Abdicated to Constantine X due to illness and hostile courtiers, became a monk

Doukas dynasty (1059–1078)

Main articles: Doukas and Byzantine Empire under the Doukas dynasty

  (§) – Varying ascribed status

Doukas dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Constantine X Doukas Κωνσταντῖνος Δούκας	23 November 1059 – 23 May 1067 (7 years and 6 months)	Designated as emperor by Isaac I Komnenos during his abdication	c. 1006 – 23 May 1067 (aged approx. 61) Lost nearly all Italian territories to the Normans. Died of natural causes
	Eudokia Makrembolitissa Εὐδοκία Μακρεμβολίτισσα (§)	23 May – 31 December 1067 (7 months and 8 days)	Widow of Constantine X; ruler in her own right on behalf of their sons until her marriage to Romanos IV. Briefly resumed her regency in September 1071	c. 1030 – after 1078 Became a nun in November 1071 and later died of natural causes
	Romanos IV Diogenes Ῥωμανὸς Διογένης	1 January 1068 – 26 August 1071 (3 years, 7 months and 25 days) with Leo and Nikephoros Diogenes (c. 1070–71)	Husband of Eudokia. Regent and senior co-emperor together with Constantine X's and Eudokia's children	c. 1032 – 4 August 1072 (aged approx. 40) Captured at Manzikert by the Seljuk Turks. After his release blinded on 29 June 1072 by John Doukas, later dying of his wounds
	Michael VII Doukas "Parapinakes" Μιχαὴλ Δούκας	1 October 1071 – 24/31 March 1078 (6 years, 5 months and 23/30 days) with Konstantios (1060–1078), Andronikos (1068–1070s) and Constantine Doukas (1074–78; 1st time)	Son of Constantine X; made co-emperor in 1060 with Eudokia and Romanos IV. Proclaimed sole emperor after Romanos' defeat at the Battle of Manzikert	c. 1050 – c. 1090 (aged approx. 40) Lost nearly all of Anatolia to the Turks. Forced to become a monk after a popular uprising. Died of natural causes several years later
	Nikephoros III Botaneiates Νικηφόρος Βοτανειάτης	3 April 1078 – 1 April 1081 (2 years, 11 months and 29 days)	General; revolted against Michael VII on 2 July or 2 October 1077 and entered Constantinople on 27 March or 3 April. Married Maria of Alania, the former wife of Michael VII	1001/1002 – c. 1081 (aged approx. 80) Abdicated after Alexios I captured Constantinople, became a monk and died of natural causes, probably later in the same year

Komnenos dynasty (1081–1185)

Main articles: Komnenos and Byzantine Empire under the Komnenos dynasty

Komnenos dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Alexios I Komnenos Ἀλέξιος Κομνηνός	1 April 1081 – 15 August 1118 (37 years, 4 months and 14 days) with Constantine Doukas (1081–1087; 2nd time)	Nephew of Isaac I, also husband of Irene Doukaina, a grand-niece of Constantine X. General; revolted against Nikephoros III on 14 February 1081. Seized Constantinople on 1 April; crowned on 4 April	c. 1057 – 15 August 1118 (aged approx. 61) Started the Crusades & the reconquest of Anatolia. Died of natural causes
	John II Komnenos "the Good" Ἰωάννης Κομνηνός	15 August 1118 – 8 April 1143 (24 years, 7 months and 24 days) with Alexios Komnenos, son of John II (1119–1142)	Son of Alexios I, co-emperor since about September 1092	13 September 1087 – 8 April 1143 (aged 55) Reconquered most of Anatolia by the time of his death. Died of injuries sustained in a hunting accident, possibly assassinated (perhaps involving Raymond of Poitiers or supporters of Manuel I)
	Manuel I Komnenos "the Great" Μανουὴλ Κομνηνός	8 April 1143 – 24 September 1180 (37 years, 5 months and 16 days)	Youngest son and allegedly designated heir of John II on his deathbed, crowned in November 1143 after a few months of having to establish his rights	28 November 1118 – 24 September 1180 (aged 61) Last emperor to attempt reconquests in the west. Died of natural causes
	Alexios II Komnenos Ἀλέξιος Κομνηνός	24 September 1180 – c. September 1183 (3 years)	Son of Manuel I; co-emperor since 1171	14 September 1169 – c. September 1183 (aged 14) Strangled on the orders of Andronikos I, body thrown in the sea
	Andronikos I Komnenos "Misophaes" Ἀνδρόνικος Κομνηνός	c. September 1183 – 12 September 1185 (2 years) with John Komnenos, son of Andronikos I (1183–1185)	Son of Isaac Komnenos, a son of Alexios I. Overthrew the regency of Alexios II in April 1182, crowned co-emperor in 1183 and shortly thereafter had Alexios II murdered	c. 1118/1120 – 12 September 1185 (aged 64–67) Overthrown by Isaac II, tortured and mutilated in the imperial palace, then slowly dismembered alive by a mob in the Hippodrome

Angelos dynasty (1185–1204)

Main articles: Angelos and Byzantine Empire under the Angelos dynasty

Angelos dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Isaac II Angelos Ἰσαάκιος Κομνηνός Ἄγγελος	12 September 1185 – 8 April 1195 (9 years, 6 months and 27 days)	Great-grandson of Alexios I. Resisted an order of arrest issued by Andronikos I, after which he was proclaimed emperor by the people of Constantinople. Captured and killed Andronikos I	c. 1156 – January 1204 (aged 47) Suffered the loss of Bulgaria. Overthrown and blinded by Alexios III in 1195, reinstalled in 1203
	Alexios III Angelos   Ἀλέξιος Κομνηνός	8 April 1195 – 17/18 July 1203 (8 years, 3 months and 10 days)	Elder brother of Isaac II, overthrew and blinded his brother	c. 1156 – 1211/1212 (aged approx. 58) Fled after brief resistance against the Fourth Crusade. Died a natural death after being captured and forced to become a monk by Theodore I
	Alexios IV Angelos Ἀλέξιος Ἄγγελος	19 July 1203 – 27 January 1204 (6 months and 8 days)	Son of Isaac II, overthrew Alexios III with the help of the crusaders as part of the Fourth Crusade, then named co-emperor alongside his blinded father	c. 1182/1183 – c. 8 February 1204 (aged approx. 21) Deposed and imprisoned by Alexios V, then strangled in prison
	Isaac II Angelos Ἰσαάκιος Κομνηνός Ἄγγελος (second reign)	19 July 1203 – 27 January 1204 (6 months and 8 days)	Freed from imprisonment during the Fourth Crusade by courtiers and reinstated as ruler after Alexios III abandoned the defense of Constantinople	c. 1156 – January 1204 (aged 47) Became senile or demented and died of natural causes shortly before Alexios V's coup
	Alexios V Doukas "Mourtzouphlos" Ἀλέξιος Δούκας	27/28 January – 12 April 1204 (2 months and 16 days)	Seized power through a palace coup, son-in-law of Alexios III.	c. 1139 – c. late November 1204 (aged approx. 65) Fled during the sack of Constantinople. Blinded by Alexios III, later captured by crusader Thierry de Loos and thrown from the Column of Theodosius

Laskaris dynasty (1205–1261)

Main articles: Laskaris and Empire of Nicaea

Note: Roman rule in Constantinople was interrupted with the capture and sack of the city by the crusaders in 1204, which led to the establishment of the Frankokratia. Though the crusaders created a new line of Latin emperors in the city, modern historians recognize the line of emperors of the Laskaris dynasty, reigning in Nicaea, as the legitimate Roman emperors during the struggle for Constantinople because the Nicene Empire eventually retook the city. For other lines of claimant emperors, see List of Trapezuntine emperors and List of Thessalonian emperors.

Laskaris dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Theodore I Laskaris Θεόδωρος Κομνηνὸς Λάσκαρις	c. May 1205 – November 1221 (16 years and 6 months) with Nicholas Laskaris (1208–1210)	Husband of Anna Komnene Angelina, a daughter of Alexios III. Organized resistance against the Latin Empire in Nicaea and proclaimed emperor in 1205 after the Battle of Adrianople; crowned by Patriarch Michael IV on 6 April 1208.	c. 1174 – November 1221 (aged approx. 47) Died of natural causes
	John III Vatatzes Ἰωάννης Δούκας Βατάτζης	c. December 1221 – 3 November 1254 (32 years and 11 months)	Husband of Irene Laskarina, a daughter of Theodore I	c. 1192 – 3 November 1254 (aged approx. 62) Started Nicaean expansionism. Died of natural causes
	Theodore II Laskaris Θεόδωρος Δούκας Λάσκαρις	3 November 1254 – 16 August 1258 (3 years, 9 months and 13 days)	Son of John III and grandson of Theodore I, co-emperor since about 1235	November 1221 – 16 August 1258 (aged 36) Died of epilepsy
	John IV Laskaris Ἰωάννης Δούκας Λάσκαρις	16 August 1258 – 25 December 1261 (3 years, 4 months and 9 days)	Son and co-emperor of Theodore II	25 December 1250 – c. 1305 (aged approx. 55) Blinded, deposed and imprisoned by Michael VIII Palaiologos in 1261, died in captivity several decades later

Palaiologos dynasty (1259–1453)

Main articles: Palaiologos and Byzantine Empire under the Palaiologos dynasty

Palaiologos dynasty

Portrait	Name	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Michael VIII Palaiologos Μιχαὴλ Δούκας Ἄγγελος Κομνηνὸς Παλαιολόγος	1 January 1259 – 11 December 1282 (23 years, 11 months and 10 days)	Great-grandson of Alexios III; became regent for John IV in 1258 and crowned co-emperor in 1259. Regained Constantinople on 25 July 1261, entered the city on 15 August. Became sole ruler after deposing John IV on 25 December	1224/1225 – 11 December 1282 (aged 57/58) Died of dysentery
	Andronikos II Palaiologos Ἀνδρόνικος Δούκας Ἄγγελος Κομνηνὸς Παλαιολόγος	11 December 1282 – 24 May 1328 (45 years, 5 months and 13 days)	Son of Michael VIII; named co-emperor shortly after 1261, crowned on 8 November 1272	25 March 1259 – 13 February 1332 (aged 72) Deposed by his grandson Andronikos III in 1328 and became a monk, dying of natural causes four years later
	Michael IX Palaiologos (§) Μιχαὴλ Δούκας Ἄγγελος Κομνηνὸς Παλαιολόγος	21 May 1294 – 12 October 1320 (26 years, 4 months and 21 days)	Son and co-ruler of Andronikos II, named co-emperor in 1281, crowned on 21 May 1294	17 April 1277/1278 – 12 October 1320 (aged 42/43) Allegedly died of grief due to the accidental murder of his second son, probably died of natural causes
	Andronikos III Palaiologos Ἀνδρόνικος Δούκας Ἄγγελος Κομνηνός Παλαιολόγος	24 May 1328 – 15 June 1341 (13 years and 22 days)	Son of Michael IX, named co-emperor between 1308 and 1313. Fought with his grandfather Andronikos II for power from April 1321 onwards. Crowned emperor on 2 February 1325, became sole emperor after deposing Andronikos II	25 March 1297 – 15 June 1341 (aged 44) Last Emperor to effectively control Greece. Died of sudden illness, possibly malaria
	John V Palaiologos Ίωάννης Κομνηνός Παλαιολόγος	15 June 1341 – 16 February 1391 (49 years, 8 months and 1 day) Details 15 June 1341 – 12 August 1376 (35 years, 1 month and 28 days) 1 July 1379 – 14 April 1390 (10 years, 9 months and 13 days) 17 September 1390 – 16 February 1391 (4 months and 30 days)	Son of Andronikos III, not formally crowned until 19 November 1341. Dominated by regents until 1354, faced numerous usurpations and civil wars throughout his long reign	18 June 1332 – 16 February 1391 (aged 58) Reigned almost 50 years, but only held effective power for 33. Lost almost all territories outside Constantinople. Died of natural causes
	John VI Kantakouzenos Ἰωάννης Ἄγγελος Κομνηνὸς Παλαιολόγος Καντακουζηνός	8 February 1347 – 10 December 1354 (7 years, 10 months and 2 days) with Matthew Kantakouzenos (1353–1357)	Related to the Palaiologoi through his mother. Proclaimed by the army on 26 October 1341, became regent and senior co-emperor after a lengthy civil war with John V's mother, Anna of Savoy. Entered Constantinople on 8 February, crowned on 21 May 1347	c. 1295 – 15 June 1383 (aged approx. 88) Deposed by John V in another civil war and retired, becoming a monk. Died of natural causes several decades later. Longest lived Roman emperor.
	Andronikos IV Palaiologos Ἀνδρόνικος Κομνηνός Παλαιολόγος	12 August 1376 – 1 July 1379 (2 years, 10 months and 19 days) May 1381 – June 1385 (4 years, in Selymbria)	Son of John V and grandson of John VI; named co-emperor and heir in 1352, but imprisoned and partially blinded after a failed rebellion in May 1373. Rebelled again and successfully deposed his father in 1376; not formally crowned until 18 October 1377	11 April 1348 – 25/28 June 1385 (aged 37) Deposed by John V in 1379; fled to Galata in exile but was restored as co-emperor and heir in May 1381, ruling over Selymbria and the coast of Marmara. Rebelled again in June 1385 but died shortly thereafter
	John VII Palaiologos Ίωάννης Παλαιολόγος	14 April – 17 September 1390 (5 months and 3 days) late 1403 – 22 September 1408 (5 years, in Thessalonica) with Andronikos V Palaiologos (1403–1407)	Son of Andronikos IV, co-emperor since 1377; usurped the throne from John V in 1390. Deposed shortly thereafter but granted Thessalonica by Manuel II in 1403, from where he once more ruled as emperor until his death	1370 – 22 September 1408 (aged 38) Ruled Constantinople as regent in 1399–1403 during Manuel II's absence. Died of natural causes
	Manuel II Palaiologos Μανουὴλ Παλαιολόγος	16 February 1391 – 21 July 1425 (34 years, 4 months and 5 days)	Son of John V and grandson of John VI; co-emperor since 25 September 1373	27 June 1350 – 21 July 1425 (aged 74) Suffered a stroke in 1422, whereafter the government was run by his son, John VIII. Died of natural causes
	John VIII Palaiologos Ίωάννης Παλαιολόγος	21 July 1425 – 31 October 1448 (23 years, 4 months and 10 days)	Son of Manuel II; co-emperor by 1407 and full emperor since 19 January 1421	18 December 1392 – 31 October 1448 (aged 55) Died of natural causes
	Constantine XI Palaiologos Κωνσταντῖνος Δραγάσης Παλαιολόγος	6 January 1449 – 29 May 1453 (4 years, 4 months and 23 days)	Son of Manuel II and favored successor of his brother John VIII. Crowned emperor in Mystras on 6 January 1449, entered Constantinople on 12 March.	8 February 1405 – 29 May 1453 (aged 48) The last Roman emperor. Died in battle at the fall of Constantinople.

See also

• Family tree of Byzantine emperors
• List of Roman emperors
• List of Trapezuntine emperors
• List of Roman usurpers
• List of Byzantine usurpers
• Succession to the Byzantine Empire
• List of Roman and Byzantine empresses
• List of Byzantine emperors of Armenian origin
• Family tree of Roman emperors
• History of the Byzantine Empire

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