"Has your master magician, your uncle, power like mine?"

Ah, here she is! This is the Empress Irene. From her mosaic portrait in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The first time I was there I stood and stared at her for 20 minutes. I was awed.


The Empress Irene lived from 752 to 803. She ruled as regent for her young son, Constantine. When he came of age, she had him blinded and imprisoned so that he could not succeed to the throne.


In the end, she was confined to a nunnery on the island of Lesbos and ordered to support herself by spinning thread; she did not know how to spin, and died within the year.


I tell you, I could stand and gaze at her forever! 


Te saluto et adoro, O Basilissa!


MARY BLISS