Sophia (empress)

Sophia
Augusta
Justin II and Sophia depicted on 40 Nummi coin (572 AD)
Empress consort of the Byzantine Empire
Tenure565–578
Bornc. 530
Diedc. 601 (aged approx. 71)
Constantinople
(now Istanbul, Turkey)
SpouseJustin II
IssueJustus
Arabia
Names
Aelia Sophia
Regnal name
Aelia Sophia Augusta
DynastyJustinian Dynasty
FatherSittas (historical theory)
MotherComito (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.