feb 3, 802 - The Case of the real and fake Theophano

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The fail of Battle of Moesia caused a riot broke out in the Constantinople; people believed that the fail of both battle agaist Bulgars, the death of Justinian III and cripple of Theodosius IV is because they are cursed due to they are illegal usurper whom "stole" the throne from children of Leo IV.

It's fortunary for Nikephoros and his family, a girl claim she was Theophano, the daughter of Justina, which is the only daughter of Leo IV to have married, thus she was grand daughter of Leo IV; She claim that she is being protected and raised by Irene, the friend of Justina, after her mother fled to Athen and been murdered by the usurpers, and passed the cross-examine about royal family issue from Nikephoros, Patriarch and other officials.

Thus, Theophano soon married Nikephoros and become Crown Princess in december 801 to symbolize the bloodline of Leo IV inherited by Nikephoros and possible posterity. She became the face of the royal family. Not only for her popularity and extremely charismatic, but she also proved to be an excellent administrator.

However, some people also claim that Theophano was in fact the daughter of Irene, not of Justina, and the real daughter of Justina had been murdered alongside with her mother, this position proved to be true in thousands years later, but not then. When "the case of the real and fake Theophano" emerge onto the court, this accusation soon be seen as fake accusation, with the evidence was declared to be a good forgery by the Patriarch, then Theophano had all the accusers exiled to Cherson.

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