| Sophia | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta | |||||||||
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Byzantine_40_Nummi_Coin_Justin_II_%26_Sophia_572AD.jpg) Justin II and Sophia depicted on 40 Nummi coin (572 AD) | |||||||||
| Empress consort of the Byzantine Empire | |||||||||
| Tenure | 565–578 | ||||||||
| Born | c. 530 | ||||||||
| Died | c. 601 (aged approx. 71) Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) | ||||||||
| Spouse | Justin II | ||||||||
| Issue | Justus Arabia | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Dynasty | Justinian Dynasty | ||||||||
| Father | Sittas (historical theory) | ||||||||
| Mother | Comito (historical theory) | ||||||||
Aelia Sophia (Greek: Σοφία) (c. 530 – c./aft. 601) was Byzantine empress as the wife of Emperor Justin II. Although never a monarch, Sophia participated in the governance of the empire; she took an interest in economic and financial matters during Justin's reign, and subsequently served as regent during his incapacity from 573 until 578.