Theophylactus I Anicius
| Theophylactus I Anicius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Latin Emperor (jure uxoris) | |
| Reign | 15 November 1846 – 25 October 1891 |
| Coronation | 25 December 1846 |
| Predecessor | Maria IV Gentilia |
| Successor | John XIII |
| Co-monarch | Maria IV Gentilia |
| Born | 8 September 1819 Catana, Latium |
| Died | 25 October 1891 (aged 72) Palatium Purpura, Ascanium, Latium |
| Burial | Imperial Crypt, Castellum ab Alba |
| Spouse | Maria IV Gentilia (m. 1844) |
| Issue Detail | |
| House | Anicius |
| Father | Nicephorus, Duke of Ossonoba |
| Mother | Princess Anastasia of Latium |
| Religion | Imperial Church (Catholicism) |
Theophylactus I Augustus (Gaius Anicius Theophylactus Caesar Augustus Magnus b. 8 September 1819 – 25 October 1891) was Latin Emperor, by right of his wife Maria IV Gentilia, reigning from 1846 until his death in 1891. He and Maria IV have been credited for their role in modernizing Latium, and Theophylactus is heralded as one of the most celebrated battle commanders in recent Latin history, with his campaigns still being studied at military schools. To this day, he remains one of the most celebrated imperial, political and military figures in Latin history.
Theophylactus was born in Catana, on the island of Imbros, where his father was an impoverished nobleman and his mother a Latin princess of the Gentilian dynasty. The circumstances of his birth reportedly caused a rift among the imperial family, which wasn't resolved until the 1830s. Theophylactus first joined the army in 1833 at the age of 14, after having lied about his age. By the age of 18, he was made an officer due to the influence of his grandfather, senator and nobleman Duke Constantine Anicius. In 1839, Theophylactus successfully defended the capital from the XXXX revolt, and was later involved in the brief Gelonian Revolution of 1841. Following his victory in Gelonia, he was appointed Legatus legionis augusti by Emperor Michael II, making him the youngest general in the Latin military.
following the death of Emperor Michael II Gentilius, who died without any children, due to his military record and imperial ancestry through his mother, who was the cousin of Michael II. Following an intense negotiation, Theophylactus was betrothed to Michael's niece, Princess Maria of Ghant, who was the eldest daughter of Constantia of Latium and Emperor William VI of Ghant. His wife Maria was later confirmed as Michael II's heir and proclaimed Latin Empress in 1842, with Theophylactus uncle Andreas Anicius serving as regent. Theophylactus and Maria were wed a year later, and Theophylactus was acclaimed Latin Emperor and co-monarch. Theophylactus and Maria had seven children and were noted to have a strong and passionate relationship.
Theophylactus benefited from widespread popular support, and at times strong senate support, but at times struggled to convey legitimacy on the world stage. He and Maria often worked on strategic marriages to secure alliances and additional legitimacy. Theophylactus arranged marriages for his younger brother Michael to Calista, Duchess of Patrinos, heiress of the House of Dimitrios, and through whom the current Kings of Belfras descend in the male line, and his brother Nicephorus Anicius, who was Emperor consort of Lihnidos. Much of Theophylactus and Maria's foreign policy was constructed through these matches in attempts to prevent wider unification and later republican efforts in neighboring nations and grow a Latin sphere of influence in Belisaria and beyond.