Barka 1 | Prosopography of the Byzantine Empire |
| Sex | F |
| Floruit | E IX |
| Dates | 813 (taq) / 813 (tpq) |
| PmbZ No. | 7790 |
| Ethnicity | Armenian |
| Textual Sources | Genesii, Josephi, Regum Libri Quattuor, eds. A. Lesmüller-Werner and I. Thurn, CFHB 14 (Berlin, 1978) (history); Scylitzes, Ioannes, Synopsis Historiarum, ed. J. Thurn (Berlin, 1973) (history); Theophanes Continuatus, ed. I. Bekker (Bonn, 1838) (history) |
Barka 1 was the wife of Leo 15 in 813 when he became emperor (Leo V) in succession to Michael I (Michael 7); Michael 7's wife, Prokopia 1, expressed strong disapproval of the idea of Barka 1 becoming empress: Theoph. Cont. I 9 (p. 18), Scyl., p. 8, Genesius I 3. Barka 1 was probably a daughter of Bardanes 3 Tourkos, and a sister of Thekla 2: Genesius II 1 (unnamed daughter of an unnamed strategos of the Anatolikoi, who married one of two future emperors, one being Michael 10). Cf. Treadgold, Byzantine Revival, pp. 196-199 with notes. Leo 15 soon disposed of her and married Theodosia 1. Barka 1 was presumably either identical with Anonyma 16 or a sister. Probably also a sister or half-sister of Bryennios 3.
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