Theirfirstattemptwaspardoned；forthesecondoffence^!theywerecondemnedtotheecclesiasticalstate；andforthethirdtreason，Nicephorus，theeldestandmostguilty，wasdeprivedofhiseyes，andhisfourbrothers，Christopher，Nicetas，Anthemeus，andEudoxas，werepunished，asamildersentence，bytheamputationoftheirtongues。Afterfiveyears\'confinement，theyescapedtothechurchofSt。Sophia，anddisplayedapatheticspectacletothepeople。\"CountrymenandChristians，\"criedNicephorusforhimselfandhismutebrethren，\"beholdthesonsofyouremperor，ifyoucanstillrecognizeourfeaturesinthismiserablestate。Alife，animperfectlife，isallthatthemaliceofourenemieshasspared。Itisnowthreatened，andwenowthrowourselvesonyourcompassion。\"Therisingmurmurmighthaveproducedarevolution，haditnotbeencheckedbythepresenceofaminister，whosoothedtheunhappyprinceswithflatteryandhope，andgentlydrewthemfromthesanctuarytothepalace。TheywerespeedilyembarkedforGreece，andAthenswasallottedfortheplaceoftheirexile。Inthiscalmretreat，andintheirhelplesscondition，Nicephorusandhisbrothersweretormentedbythethirstofpower，andtemptedbyaSclavonianchief，whoofferedtobreaktheirprison，andtoleadtheminarms，andinthepurple，tothegatesofConstantinople。ButtheAthenianpeople，everzealousinthecauseofIrene，preventedherjusticeorcruelty；andthefivesonsofCopronymuswereplungedineternaldarknessandoblivion。
[Footnote*:SchlosserthinksmorehighlyofLeo\'smind；buthisonlyproofofhissuperiorityisthesuccessesofhisgeneralsagainsttheSaracens，Schlosser，p。256。—M。]
[Footnote!:ThesecondoffencewasontheaccessionoftheyoungConstantine—M。]
Forhimself，thatemperorhadchosenaBarbarianwife，thedaughterofthekhanoftheChozars；butinthemarriageofhisheir，hepreferredanAthenianvirgin，anorphan，seventeenyearsold，whosesolefortunemusthaveconsistedinherpersonalaccomplishments。ThenuptialsofLeoandIrenewerecelebratedwithroyalpomp；shesoonacquiredtheloveandconfidenceofafeeblehusband，andinhistestamenthedeclaredtheempressguardianoftheRomanworld，andoftheirsonConstantinetheSixth，whowasnomorethantenyearsofage。Duringhischildhood，Irenemostablyandassiduouslydischarged，inherpublicadministration，thedutiesofafaithfulmother；andherzealintherestorationofimageshasdeservedthenameandhonorsofasaint，whichshestilloccupiesintheGreekcalendar。Buttheemperorattainedthematurityofyouth；thematernalyokebecamemoregrievous；andhelistenedtothefavoritesofhisownage，whosharedhispleasures，andwereambitiousofsharinghispower。Theirreasonsconvincedhimofhisright，theirpraisesofhisability，toreign；andheconsentedtorewardtheservicesofIrenebyaperpetualbanishmenttotheIsleofSicily。Buthervigilanceandpenetrationeasilydisconcertedtheirrashprojects:asimilar，ormoresevere，punishmentwasretaliatedonthemselvesandtheiradvisers；andIreneinflictedontheungratefulprincethechastisementofaboy。Afterthiscontest，themotherandthesonwereattheheadoftwodomesticfactions；andinsteadofmildinfluenceandvoluntaryobedience，sheheldinchainsacaptiveandanenemy。Theempresswasoverthrownbytheabuseofvictory；theoathoffidelity，whichsheexactedtoherselfalone，waspronouncedwithreluctantmurmurs；andtheboldrefusaloftheArmenianguardsencouragedafreeandgeneraldeclaration，thatConstantinetheSixthwasthelawfulemperoroftheRomans。Inthischaracterheascendedhishereditarythrone，anddismissedIrenetoalifeofsolitudeandrepose。Butherhaughtyspiritcondescendedtotheartsofdissimulation:sheflatteredthebishopsandeunuchs，revivedthefilialtendernessoftheprince，regainedhisconfidence，andbetrayedhiscredulity。ThecharacterofConstantinewasnotdestituteofsenseorspirit；buthiseducationhadbeenstudiouslyneglected；
andtheambitiousmotherexposedtothepubliccensuretheviceswhichshehadnourished，andtheactionswhichshehadsecretlyadvised:hisdivorceandsecondmarriageoffendedtheprejudicesoftheclergy，andbyhisimprudentrigorheforfeitedtheattachmentoftheArmenianguards。ApowerfulconspiracywasformedfortherestorationofIrene；andthesecret，thoughwidelydiffused，wasfaithfullykeptaboveeightmonths，tilltheemperor，suspiciousofhisdanger，escapedfromConstantinople，withthedesignofappealingtotheprovincesandarmies。Bythishastyflight，theempresswasleftonthebrinkoftheprecipice；