Sarantapechos

Sarantapechos (Greek: Σαραντάπηχος, Sarantápēchos), feminine form Sarantapechaena (Greek: Σαρανταπήχαινα, Sarantapḗchaina), was a Byzantine Greek noble family originating from Athens. The family is attested in the second half of the eighth century, as well as in the early ninth century and is thought to have been of political influence in central Greece at the time. Very few members are known of the family, the first and most prominent being Irene of Athens, who, after her marriage to emperor Leo IV, became empress consort, later regent, and finally the first empress regnant of the Byzantine Empire in 797.