Armenian Byzantium Emperors and Empresses

One out of five Byzantium emperors and empresses were ethnically Armenian or half-Armenian, although culturally Greek. Emperor Heraclius (founder of the Heraclian Dynasty), Basil I (founder of the Macedonian Dynasty), Romanos I, John I Tzimiskes, and Nikephoros II were Armenian. From the 5^th century on the Armenians were regarded as the main constituent of the Byzantium army palace guard and were selected from among the bravest Armenians.

One out of five Byzantium emperors and empresses were ethnically Armenian or half-Armenian, although culturally Greek. Emperor Heraclius (founder of the Heraclian Dynasty), Basil I (founder of the Macedonian Dynasty), Romanos I, John I Tzimiskes, and Nikephoros II were Armenian. From the 5^th century on the Armenians were regarded as the main constituent of the Byzantium army palace guard and were selected from among the bravest Armenians.