Irene of Athens (c.752-30 September 806), also known as Irene Sarantapechos, was the Byzantine Empress regnant from 797 to 806. Before becoming empress, she was consort to Leo IV from 775 to 780 and empress dowager from 780 to 797. She is most remembered for her marriage to Charlemagne in 803, unifying the Franks and the Byzantines. Her reluctance to follow the tradition of iconoclasm led to the end of iconoclasm in the Byzantine and Frankish Empires.