Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
A documentary covering the life and times of empress Irene Asenina Kantakouzene (AD1341-1354) one of the Eastern Roman empire's most fascinating yet largely forgotten female figures. She was at the heart of events during some of the most significant events of the fourteenth century.
Chapters:
00:00 Early Life
02:08 Irene and John Enter Politics
04:16 The Second Palaiologan Civil War
09:23 Empress
12:58 The Empress Vs an Emperor
14:27 Abdication and Death
Some pictures used in this video were generated by an A. I. and have been labelled where appropriate.
Bibliography:
Primary Sources
Nikephoros Gregoras, Roman History, edited by L. Schopen and I. Bekker, Vols. III, (1829-1855).
Scholarship
Nicol, D. M. The Last Centuries of Byzantium, 1261-1453 - Second Edition, (1993).
Nicol, D. M., The Byzantine Lady: Ten Portraits, 1250-1500 - Second Edition, (1996).
Nicol, D. M., The Reluctant Emperor: A Biography of John Cantacuzene c.1295-1383 - Second Edition, (2002)
Email
easternromanhistory@gmail.com
Discord
discord.gg/wxVmswV
If you would like to support Eastern Roman History, I have a Patreon:
patreon.com/EasternRomanHistory
Music Credits:
'Osaka', 'Battle at Witch Creek', 'William Wallace' and 'Galleon' by Duane Decker from Rise of Nations by Big Huge Studios.
All images used are for educational purposes, if I have used a piece of art and you would like me to credit you, please contact me and I shall do so.
A documentary covering the life and times of empress Irene Asenina Kantakouzene (AD1341-1354) one of the Eastern Roman empire's most fascinating yet largely forgotten female figures. She was at the heart of events during some of the most significant events of the fourteenth century.
Chapters:
00:00 Early Life
02:08 Irene and John Enter Politics
04:16 The Second Palaiologan Civil War
09:23 Empress
12:58 The Empress Vs an Emperor
14:27 Abdication and Death
Some pictures used in this video were generated by an A. I. and have been labelled where appropriate.
Bibliography:
Primary Sources
Nikephoros Gregoras, Roman History, edited by L. Schopen and I. Bekker, Vols. III, (1829-1855).
Scholarship
Nicol, D. M. The Last Centuries of Byzantium, 1261-1453 - Second Edition, (1993).
Nicol, D. M., The Byzantine Lady: Ten Portraits, 1250-1500 - Second Edition, (1996).
Nicol, D. M., The Reluctant Emperor: A Biography of John Cantacuzene c.1295-1383 - Second Edition, (2002)
easternromanhistory@gmail.com
Discord
discord.gg/wxVmswV
If you would like to support Eastern Roman History, I have a Patreon:
patreon.com/EasternRomanHistory
Music Credits:
'Osaka', 'Battle at Witch Creek', 'William Wallace' and 'Galleon' by Duane Decker from Rise of Nations by Big Huge Studios.
All images used are for educational purposes, if I have used a piece of art and you would like me to credit you, please contact me and I shall do so.
